2012 Lexus GS 350 Check Engine Light

Check Engine Light Service 2012 Lexus GS 350

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Lexus GS 350 and instantly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Lexus owners, your heart sinks a little because you have little 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 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 recommended that you get your 2012 Lexus GS 350 checked as soon as achievable. Ignoring that warning could end up causing humongous damage to expensive engine components.

When your 2012 Lexus GS 350's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electrical control system that it can’t understandable, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is consistently 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 identifies as the issue, whether it's a sensor or a failing engine part. This code is read with an computerized investigate tool that is used by our Lexus auto repair mechanics at Nalley Lexus Smyrna. There are also a number of rather prudent code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you select 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 issue and repair it.

2012 Lexus GS 350 Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your 2012 Lexus GS 350 starts blinking, that means that the problem needs immediate attention and your Lexus should be brought in shortly. A blinking light indicates that the problem is unhealthy and if not taken care of shortly may result in considerable damage to the vehicle. This blinking light ordinarily indicates a exacting engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be discharged into the exhaust system. There it can suddenly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can absolutely be the cause. A bad, classical or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If the problem is 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. If your check engine light is flashing, please contact our team of automotive mentors at Nalley Lexus Smyrna immediately by calling 7706187908.

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

Since all check engine code has its own level of severity, it is difficult to predict how many miles you can travel to work with the warning light on. If you check engine light is shining, we recommend that you pull over and contact Nalley Lexus Smyrna to aid read if your vehicle is dependable to travel to work in or if we recommend a tow truck. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced.

2012 Lexus GS 350 Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are countless likely causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are countless easy causes including something as easy as a loose gas cap. Disparate easy reasons for a Check Engine Light are damaged oxygen sensor, faulty emissions control part, faulty head gasket, dirty mass airflow sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, or defective spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Lexus Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and repair it as crucial to restore factory specifications. When this happens, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Lexus issue was fixed.

Every 2012 Lexus GS 350 was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its cooperative systems. The sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending data to the computerized control unit. If the computerized control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light illuminates telling you that there is a problem. However, that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what specifically is amiss nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Nalley Lexus Smyrna provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Highly Qualified Service professional.

Is it safe to drive your 2012 Lexus GS 350 with the check engine light on?

This question is not excessively plain because it any depends on the severity of the issue. If the cause is a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be protected to drive. This is often indicated by a possible 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 dangerous problem. If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a dangerous issue and it is recommended to service your Lexus GS 350 hastily. Call the advisors at Nalley Lexus Smyrna by dialing 7706187908 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and bring your 2012 Lexus to our certified mechanics as soon as likely.

2012 Lexus GS 350 Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that small light on your vehicle’s dashboard urgently illuminates, 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, also accepted as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your GS 350. There are hundreds of numerous codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a small patience, tackling preeminent diagnostics will give you positive knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, accessible and possible vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of possible OBD codes, there are also hundreds of possible reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is marvelous for someone who does not have a lot of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out immediately by a certified Lexus mechanic. If the engine light comes on due to a strict concern, you risk aggressive your car additional by not repairing the issue right away. Call Nalley Lexus Smyrna at 7706187908 today or schedule your check engine light service online today!

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2012 Lexus GS 350?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as visible as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a rigid problem that could cause rigid damage to your engine and come with a enormous repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady glow consistently means something less rigid but a flashing check engine light implies that your vehicle’s engine is in rigid trouble and service is imperative immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2012 Lexus GS 350, we immensely advocate not to drive the vehicle and schedule Lexus service today. Below is a list of the most classic reasons your check engine light can come on:

• Your 2012 Lexus GS 350 has a vacuum leak. Every Lexus GS 350 has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system also helps cut harmful 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 dehydrated out and crack, especially if they’re exposed to mighty heat or extreme brisk.
• Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, ongoing as the O2 sensor, measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns faster and your vehicle will be less ready for use when it comes to fuel economy. So what happens if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A faulty sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause damage to your catalytic converter and your 2012 Lexus GS 350's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to opt for the right mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A bad O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2012 Lexus GS 350 is every main. 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 truly require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Lexus you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are mandatory for your 2012 Lexus GS 350. 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. 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 aged, you will experience 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 clogged catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, finest to more expensive repairs.
• Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2012 Lexus GS 350’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 neglected maintenance, which is why Nalley Lexus Smyrna offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every Lexus service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2012 Lexus GS 350 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 extra problems from overheating.
• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Lexus GS 350 is what determines how much fuel is mandatory 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 authentic changes, like altitude. If your Lexus GS 350 is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a hasty change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a bad mass airflow sensor.
• Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or extra item can wreak havoc on your 2012 Lexus GS 350 if it’s not installed appropriately. These aftermarket parts and accessories can dump the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound ongoing, bring your GS 350 to Lexus and have our department of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed correctly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first place might cost a microscopic bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
• One of the most uncomplicated and bountiful cause is that your 2012 Lexus GS 350 gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2012 Lexus GS 350 serves multiple purposes. It prevents gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps maintain pressure within the fuel tank. What happens if you have a bad fuel cap? If your gas cap is aged or has a ruptured seal, you can lose fuel through evaporation which will result in more trips to the pump. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on hastily after you put gas in your 2012 Lexus GS 350, first thing you should check is to make confident the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most commonly misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2012 Lexus GS 350 is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few divergent ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light flashes 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 variety of things for your 2012 Lexus GS 350. Some of these include shifting automatic transmissions controlling engine speed, ignition timing, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can indicate a assortment 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 2012 Lexus GS 350, contact Nalley Lexus Smyrna. Contact Nalley Lexus Smyrna today! Our Lexus service department can help you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or scan why your check engine light is flashing.

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

The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not perfectly tightened to a more alarming failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it exemplary to get the helpful code reading and diagnosis. The central cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is constantly between $88 and $111. The exemplary news, Nalley Lexus Smyrna offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to aid imply the cause of your check engine light.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2012 Lexus GS 350 will usually 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 turn itself off. Likewise, if your catalytic converter is going functional, 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 2012 Lexus GS 350 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 Nalley Lexus Smyrna so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.