2018 Subaru Crosstrek Check Engine Light

How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?

The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is usually between $88 and $111. The good news, Larry H. Miller Subaru Boise offers entirely complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to support determine the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not perfectly 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 Subaru Crosstrek 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 immediately turn itself off. Likewise, if your catalytic converter is working correctly, 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 Subaru Crosstrek 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 Larry H. Miller Subaru Boise so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

2018 Subaru Crosstrek 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 different common causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other often common reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty emissions control part, dirty mass airflow sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, damaged head gasket, damaged oxygen sensor, or broken spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Subaru Certified Mechanics and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and entirely repair it as required to restore factory specifications. When this happens, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Subaru issue was completely fixed.

Every 2018 Subaru Crosstrek was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the car on its critical systems. The fast sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending essential 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. However, unfortunately that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what absolutely is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Larry H. Miller Subaru Boise provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Very Qualified Service professional.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most normally misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the essential 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 Subaru Crosstrek. Some of these essential duties include ignition timing, controlling engine speed, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a wide range of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as hazardous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, contact Larry H. Miller Subaru Boise. Contact Larry H. Miller Subaru Boise today! Our Subaru 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.

Check Engine Light Service 2018 Subaru Crosstrek

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Subaru Crosstrek and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Subaru owners, your heart sinks exceptionally because you may have specifically 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, calm 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 advised that you get your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek checked swiftly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major, huge damage to expensive engine components.

When your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t correct, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is ordinarily 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 Subaru auto repair mechanics at Larry H. Miller Subaru Boise. There are likewise a number of relatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you pick 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 exactly correct issue and repair it.

2018 Subaru Crosstrek Check Engine Light

A flashing light indicates that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of promptly may result in extensive and meaningful damage to the car. If the check engine light in your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention promptly and your Subaru should be brought in rapidly. This blinking light ordinarily signifies a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can promptly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an pricey and extensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can precisely be the cause. A defective, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is constantly flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Larry H. Miller Subaru Boise swiftly by calling 2089952310. If the problem is entirely 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.

Is it safe to drive your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is recommended to service your Subaru Crosstrek immediately. 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 secure to drive. This is typically 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. Call the experts at Larry H. Miller Subaru Boise by dialing 2089952310 so you can describe the issues. Or decrease your speed and bring your 2018 Subaru to our certified mechanics as soon as potential.

2018 Subaru Crosstrek 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, likewise known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Crosstrek. 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 useful knowledge about your vehicle and will likewise allow that essential Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Sadly, obvious and helpful vehicle symptoms do not invariably accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of possible OBD codes, there are likewise hundreds of possible reasons for the light, including:

• Emissions controls issues
• Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
• Bad Spark Plugs
• Transmission issues
• Old Battery
• O2 Sensor
• Computer output circuit issues
• Ignition system faults
• Fuel and air metering systems problems

This is why it is important for someone who does not have a lot of prevailing automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. Call Larry H. Miller Subaru Boise at 2089952310 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. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out immediately by a talented certified Subaru mechanic.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Again, the check engine light could still be a warning of a significant problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and pricey repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady and continuous glow usually means something less serious but a flashing check engine light reveals that your vehicle’s engine is in significant trouble and useful service is needed promptly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, we extremely advocate not to drive the car and schedule Subaru service today. Below is a list of the most typical reasons your check engine light can come on:

• 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 quickly and your car will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what occurs if I don’t replace 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 Subaru Crosstrek's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the explicitly correct combination of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A broken O2 sensor can again cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
• One of the most typical and frequent cause is that your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek serves various purposes. It prevents unpredictable gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps manage pressure within the fuel tank. What occurs 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 costly. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't pricey. If your check engine light turns on immediately after you put gas in your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 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.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are required for your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel combination in the combustion chamber of your car. 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 decreased 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.
• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek is every vital. Without a vehicle battery, your vehicle won’t start, light up the road in front, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s vehicle 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 Subaru you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
• Your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek has a vacuum leak. Every Subaru Crosstrek has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system again 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, especially 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 Subaru Crosstrek if it’s not installed accurately. These aftermarket components and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even impede the car from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your Crosstrek to Subaru and have our team of skilled certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed accurately and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM components first place might cost a little bit more but could help you save substantially from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Subaru Crosstrek is what determines how much fuel is required 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 Subaru Crosstrek is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden rapid change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a vital sign of a broken mass airflow sensor.
• Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek’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 ordinarily caused by repeatedly neglected maintenance, which is why Larry H. Miller Subaru Boise offers a complimentary multi-point check with every Subaru service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your vehicle may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause other dangerous problems from overheating.

How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?

It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. Since every check engine code has its own level of severity, it is ordinarily difficult to predict how numerous miles you can be safe in driving with the warning light on. If you check engine light is flashing, we endorse that you pull over and contact Larry H. Miller Subaru Boise to help determine if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we endorse a tow truck. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly.