The Light Nobody Wants to See (Check Engine Light)

You’ve probably had your Check Engine Light go on. Then it goes off and you figure, hey, whatever the problem was, it’s gone now and I don’t have to worry about it. Well, the problem may have gone away and it may not have.

Your vehicle likely has one of these warning lights on the instrument panel: an amber light that looks like an engine or reads “Check Engine” or “Service Vehicle Soon.” If that light comes on and stays on, it usually means there’s something amiss but not urgently in need of service. (Now if it’s blinking, that’s another story that we’ll deal with in a minute.)

Sometimes when it comes on and stays steadily lit, the problem will go away and the light will go out. Sometimes it will stay on until you get the problem fixed. Either way, the engine’s computer will store a code that can provide clues to what’s not working—or wasn’t working—the way it’s supposed to.

If you are just dying to know what that code is, you can buy a little code reader or take your vehicle to an auto parts store and they’ll read it. Problem is, the code offers so many options that unless you are a trained technician, you probably won’t have a clue what those codes mean.

So if you want to be sure, take it to your vehicle repair facility and have them check it. Technicians are trained to decipher the codes and, using their experience and other diagnostic equipment, can get to the root of the problem and fix it.

As we mentioned before, if that Check Engine light comes on and is blinking, it means a more serious engine malfunction that can damage expensive components such as the catalytic converter and even the engine itself. It’s important to have that checked by a professional as soon as possible.

Autotronics of St. Peter
111 Jefferson Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082
507.934.9290
http://autotronicsstpeter.com

Light Up your Life (Headlamp Replacement)

Did you know that having a burned out headlight can result in your rearview mirror reflecting some flashing lights? In other words, you might get pulled over by the police for only having one working headlight, because in most places it’s against the law.

Not only is it illegal to drive with one headlight burned out, but it’s also dangerous. You can’t see down the road nearly as well at night with only one headlight, and other drivers can’t see you as easily either.

The good news is many newer vehicles warn you when one of your headlamps burns out. When that happens, have it taken care of as soon as you can. While there was a time when all headlamps were pretty much the same, the same isn’t true these days. There are halogen, Xenon, LED and other technologies used in modern vehicles. Plus there are sealed beams (like those on older vehicles) and capsules.

If you have a burned out headlamp, ask your service advisor for recommendations. Usually when one side goes, the other isn’t far behind. Many suggest replacing both headlamps at the same time. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual can tell you what the manufacturer recommends. You also can ask your service advisor about upgrading to a headlight that might give you better visibility.

In order to make sure you’re able to see down the road the way your vehicle was designed and not blind oncoming drivers, it’s vital that new headlights be aimed properly. That’s another good reason to have this service performed by a technician. Now, that’s a really bright idea.

Autotronics of St. Peter
111 Jefferson Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082
507.934.9290
http://autotronicsstpeter.com

Let’s Clear Some Things Up (Headlight Restoration)

You know how exposing your skin to sunlight can cause sunburn and other unhealthy things. Sunlight can also create major problems for your headlights. After they’ve been exposed to ultraviolet light, acrylic headlights can yellow and fog due to oxidation. And when that happens, less light can pass through the plastic, reducing the effectiveness—and safety—of your headlights.

It’s not just the UV light that causes headlights to turn cloudy. Road grime and debris gets kicked up and can scratch the plastic, diffusing the light that should pass through them when they’re clear. Plus, when your vehicle was new from the factory, the headlights had watertight seals all around to prevent moisture from getting into them and fogging them up with water vapor. Just like clouds can hide the sun, tiny water molecules can diffuse the light from your headlight bulbs.

Sure, you could buy replacement parts and start fresh. But the good news is many vehicle repair facilities can restore your original headlights to perform like they did when you first bought your vehicle. Here’s how it works:

A technician will protect your vehicle’s paint by either taking the headlights out or by taping off the paint near the headlights and leaving them in place.
Residue is removed from the headlight surfaces by wet sanding to remove the oxidized plastic.
Using special compounds, the technician will buff and polish the surface of the lens so it looks as smooth as glass.
The newly-polished plastic is then sealed with wax or a special sealant designed to keep them operating like new.
If the seals that keep the moisture out of the inside of your headlights have dried out or cracked, they will be restored or replaced to keep condensation from forming again.

Visibility at night is vital for safe driving, and if your headlights aren’t performing up to their potential, the less you’ll be able to see ahead of you.

There are many advantages of having your headlights restored rather than buying new or aftermarket replacements. It’s friendlier to the planet since plastics are made of oil, so it’s reducing the amount of plastic that is manufactured. And it’s usually cheaper to have your headlights restored rather than replaced.

Consider headlight restoration a way to literally recycle those parts of your vehicle. That seems to be perfectly clear!

Autotronics of St. Peter
111 Jefferson Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082
507.934.9290
http://autotronicsstpeter.com