2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid Check Engine Light Codes
The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating, especially to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminate, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear right away. If you hear the term, diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), these are just another name for check engine light codes. These are automotive computer codes stored by the ECM, again known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Camry Hybrid. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can accurately represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you advantageous knowledge about your vehicle and will again allow that important Check Engine Light to do what it is genuinely supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, obvious and helpful vehicle symptoms do not consistently accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of imaginable OBD codes, there are again hundreds of imaginable reasons for the light, including:
- O2 Sensor
- Computer output circuit issues
- Fuel and air metering systems problems
- Transmission issues
- Emissions controls issues
- Bad Spark Plugs
- Old Battery
- Ignition system faults
- Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
This is why it is vital for someone who does not have a lot of predominant automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out expeditiously by a talented certified Toyota mechanic. Call Stevinson Toyota West at 7209029966 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your vehicle further by not repairing the issue right away.
How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?
If you check engine light is flashing, we advise that you pull over and contact Stevinson Toyota West to support determine if your car is safe to drive in or if we advise a tow truck. Since any check engine code has its own level of severity, it is typically difficult to predict how many miles you can be safe in driving with the warning light on. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly.
How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?
The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is ordinarily between $88 and $111. The good news, Stevinson Toyota West offers entirely complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to assist determine the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not correctly tightened to a more serious failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it good to get the appropriate code reading and diagnosis.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
The check engine light on your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid will ordinarily shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For example, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it's tightened, the light will quickly turn itself off. Also, if your catalytic converter is working properly, and you did a lot of stop-and-go driving, that may have turned on the check engine light due to the high usage of the converter. In most cases, your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that amount and the light is still on, you will need to bring it in to Stevinson Toyota West so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.
What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid?
When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Still, the check engine light could likewise be a warning of a meaningful problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and costly repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady and continuous glow typically means something less serious but a flashing check engine light signifies that your vehicle’s engine is in significant trouble and helpful service is needed promptly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid, we very endorse not to drive the car and schedule Toyota service today. Below is a list of the most common reasons your check engine light can come on:
- Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Toyota Camry Hybrid is what determines how much fuel is necessary to run your engine efficiently by measuring the amount of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to certain changes, like altitude. If your Toyota Camry Hybrid is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden speedy change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a vital sign of a broken mass airflow sensor.
- Your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid has a vacuum leak. Every Toyota Camry Hybrid has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system also helps lower adverse emissions by routing the fumes as gasoline evaporates through the engine. If you notice that your RPM is high in idle or randomly surges, a vacuum leak could be the cause. Over time, vacuum hoses can dry out and crack, particularly if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme cold.
- Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid if it’s not installed accurately. These aftermarket components and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even limit the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your Camry Hybrid to Toyota and have our team of talented certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed properly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, particularly aftermarket parts and accessories, or utilizing OEM components first place might cost a little bit more but could support you save considerably from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
- Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, known as the O2 sensor, measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns more immediately and your vehicle will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what results if I don’t change your O2 sensor? A broken sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause meaningful damage to your catalytic converter and your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the explicitly appropriate mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A broken O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
- One of the most typical and frequent cause is that your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid serves different purposes. It prevents dangerous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps cultivate pressure within the fuel tank. What results if you have a broken fuel cap? If your gas cap is old or has a ruptured seal, you can lose fuel through evaporation which will result in more trips to the pump and be more expensive. Luckily, to change a gas cap isn't pricey. If your check engine light turns on expeditiously after you put gas in your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid, first thing you should check is to make sure the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
- The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid is every vital. Without a car battery, your car won’t start, light up the road ahead, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s car batteries last much longer than they did a few decades ago, and they don't absolutely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Toyota you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
- New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are necessary for your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run smooth. The spark plug wires deliver the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are bad or old, you will experience a conspicuous poor performance and reduced power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause blocked catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more pricey repairs.
- Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A damaged catalytic converter is usually caused by repeatedly neglected maintenance, which is why Stevinson Toyota West offers a free multi-point inspection with every Toyota service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your car may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause other perilous problems from overheating.
Is it safe to drive your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid with the check engine light on?
This question is not very simple because it all depends on the severity of the issue. If the cause is a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be safe to drive. This is usually indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the vehicle, it could be an indication of a more serious problem. If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is advised to service your Toyota Camry Hybrid rapidly. Call the experts at Stevinson Toyota West by dialing 7209029966 so you can describe the issues. Or decrease your speed and bring your 2018 Toyota to our certified mechanics as soon as possible.
What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
One of the most commonly misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the important onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a wide range of different ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light illuminates in either an amber or red color and is part of the diagnostics system found on your vehicle. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored vehicle performance since the 80s and do a wide range of things for your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Some of these essential duties include controlling engine speed, ignition timing, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing security control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean an assortment of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as perilous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid, contact Stevinson Toyota West. Contact Stevinson Toyota West today! Our Toyota service department can help you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing.
2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid Check Engine Light
A flashing light indicates that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of instantly may result in considerable and serious damage to the car. If the check engine light in your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention instantly and your Toyota should be brought in immediately. This blinking light ordinarily reveals a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can expeditiously raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an expensive and major repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can explicitly be the cause. A broken, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is consistently flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Stevinson Toyota West immediately by calling 7209029966. If the problem is totally ignored or you continue to drive, this can spread to the spark plug wires, catalytic converter, or ignition coils which can lead to a very expensive repair.
Check Engine Light Service 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid
What do you do when you’re driving along in your Toyota Camry Hybrid and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Toyota owners, your heart sinks drastically because you may have absolutely idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the cost of the unknown) can be just as stressful. But take a deep, peaceful breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t mean you have to pull the car over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is suggested that you get your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid checked swiftly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing extensive, huge damage to expensive engine components.
When your 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t appropriate, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is usually labeled “check engine” or “service engine soon”, or the light may be nothing more than a picture of an engine, or a picture of the engine with the word “check.”
When the light turns on, the ECM stores an engine code or “trouble code” in its memory that can immediately identify the issue, whether it's a sensor or a failing engine part. This code is read with an electronic scan tool that is used by our Toyota auto repair mechanics at Stevinson Toyota West. There are again a number of comparatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you choose that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced professional to determine the absolutely correct issue and repair it.
2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid Check Engine Light Flashing
Although there are countless potential causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are several regular causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other generally regular reasons for a Check Engine Light are damaged oxygen sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, dirty mass airflow sensor, damaged emissions control part, damaged head gasket, or damaged spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Toyota Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and totally repair it as needed to restore factory specifications. When this happens, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Toyota issue was entirely fixed.
Every 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its vital systems. The fast sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending vital data to the electronic control unit. If the electronic control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light illuminates telling you that there is a problem. Yet, unfortunately that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what explicitly is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Stevinson Toyota West provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Tremendously Qualified Service professional.