The 'check engine' light and you: what to do, when to do it, and why!

It's one of the most common occurrences on the road, but how do you handle it?  If the “check engine” light comes on while you're out and about, do you know what to do?  Here's a hint: don't panic!  Here are a few things to keep in mind:

The first thing you should do is pay attention to the sound and feel of your car.  Is there smoke coming out of the tailpipe?  Any odd mechanical rattling?  You should stop and call for help if you notice anything abnormal about the way your vehicle is running.  
 
If that’s not the case, think about where you were before the light came on.  Did you just buy gas?  If so, the “check engine” light might be on to alert you that the gas cap is loose.  Pull over, tighten the cap, and continue driving.  If that was the source of the problem, the light will turn off by itself.  

If you’re not fresh from fueling up and everything is still running normally (no smokey/electrical smells, mechanical noises, etc.) call our Service Department and make an appointment or schedule a visit with us online.  We want to make sure you’re safe on the road—let us diagnose and repair the problem for you. 

How not to lose ALL the control when you let your teen driver take the wheel

We know it’s difficult—and we can help!  The best remedy to the parental stress that accompanies a smiling teenager with a glossy new license?  Making sure they’ve got the right car.  Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re out looking for a new whip (or whatever the kids are saying these days).

New instead of used

 It might decrease your stress level momentarily to put your teen in charge of a vehicle that costs less, but think about it long-term.  You want your kiddo to be safe and you don’t want to end up having to spend money on repairs that end up being more costly than the vehicle itself.

Not too big, not too small

It doesn’t matter that “everyone else” has a tiny sports car, or that your teen “will be the laughing stock” of the school unless they are behind the wheel of a huge SUV.  The truth of it is that a happy medium is, well… a happy medium.  New drivers behind the wheel of big vehicles are more likely to roll it in an accident and new drivers with sports cars are more likely to disobey the speed limit and get into trouble that way.

Stay away from stick! 

We know back in our day everyone knew how to drive a manual transmission, but the sad truth is that it is becoming somewhat of an endangered skill.  Your teen can learn how to drive stick!  Just make the first vehicle as easy and safe as possible for your teen—and everyone else on the road.