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What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most commonly misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2013 Lexus LX 570 is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few 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 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 2013 Lexus LX 570. Some of these include controlling engine speed, shifting automatic transmissions ignition timing, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can suggest a variety of contrasting things. It can be as pure as your gas cap being loose or as direct as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2013 Lexus LX 570, contact Nalley Lexus Smyrna. Our Lexus service department can help you learn what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing. Contact Nalley Lexus Smyrna today!

2013 Lexus LX 570 Check Engine Light

A flashing light indicates that the problem is alarming and if not taken care of immediately may result in finest wear and tear to the vehicle. If the check engine light in your 2013 Lexus LX 570 starts flashing, that means that the problem needs abrupt attention and your Lexus should be brought in immediately. This blinking light usually indicates a relentless engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be ejected into the exhaust system. There it can rapidly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is attainable, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can strictly be the cause. A harmful, aged or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Nalley Lexus Smyrna instantly by calling 7706187908. 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 exceedingly lavish repair.

2013 Lexus LX 570 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 several normal causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Additional normal 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 fundamental 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 serviced.

Every 2013 Lexus LX 570 was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its convenient 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 sorry 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 Tremendously Qualified Service experienced.

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

The average estimate for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is often between $88 and $111. The satisfying news, Nalley Lexus Smyrna offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help suggest the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not appropriately tightened to a more significant failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it satisfying to get the suitable code reading and diagnosis.

2013 Lexus LX 570 Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard immediately 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 admitted as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your LX 570. There are hundreds of definitive codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling essential diagnostics will give you superb 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, definitive and practical vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of functional OBD codes, there are also hundreds of functional reasons for the light, including:

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

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

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

The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. It could be anything from a harmful sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is hard to predict how bountiful miles you can commute with the warning light on. If you check engine light is flashing, we recommend that you pull over and contact Nalley Lexus Smyrna to help imply if your vehicle is dependable to commute in or if we recommend a tow truck.

Is it safe to drive your 2013 Lexus LX 570 with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is glaring, this means that there is a strict issue and it is recommended to service your Lexus LX 570 instantly. This question is not highly authentic 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 ordinarily 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 scrupulous problem. Call the experts at Nalley Lexus Smyrna by dialing 7706187908 so you can describe the issues. Or cut down your speed and bring your 2013 Lexus to our certified mechanics as soon as good.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2013 Lexus LX 570?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as marvelous as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a critical problem that could cause critical damage to your engine and come with a big repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady glow typically means something less critical but a flashing check engine light expresses that your vehicle’s engine is in critical trouble and service is needed immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2013 Lexus LX 570, we immensely recommend not to drive the automobile and schedule Lexus service at this moment. Below is a list of the most constitutional 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 Lexus LX 570 is what determines how much fuel is needed 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 actual changes, like altitude. If your Lexus LX 570 is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a agile change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a bad mass airflow sensor.
  • One of the most traditional and frequent cause is that your 2013 Lexus LX 570 gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2013 Lexus LX 570 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 old 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 lavish. If your check engine light turns on abruptly after you put gas in your 2013 Lexus LX 570, 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.
  • Your 2013 Lexus LX 570 has a vacuum leak. Every Lexus LX 570 has a vacuum system that performs a expanded variety of functions. The vacuum system also helps lower bad 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 spooked heat or extreme agreeable.
  • The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2013 Lexus LX 570 is every gigantic. 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 surely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Lexus you drive, but check our ongoing service coupons and specials.
  • 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 faster and your car will be less practical 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 2013 Lexus LX 570'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.
  • Issues with all aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or alternative item can wreak havoc on your 2013 Lexus LX 570 if it’s not installed properly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the car from starting. If these issues sound easy, bring your LX 570 to Lexus and have our company of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed correctly and aren't causing all issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first place might cost a little bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
  • Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2013 Lexus LX 570’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 revamped, your 2013 Lexus LX 570 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 alternative problems from overheating.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are needed for your 2013 Lexus LX 570. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your car. 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 old, 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, extensive to more lavish repairs.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2013 Lexus LX 570 will usually shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is revamped. 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 productive, and you did various 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 2013 Lexus LX 570 light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you commute 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.

Check Engine Light Service 2013 Lexus LX 570

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Lexus LX 570 and abruptly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Lexus owners, your heart sinks a scant because you have scant idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the estimate 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 2013 Lexus LX 570 checked as soon as feasible. Ignoring that warning could end up causing big damage to lavish engine components.

When your 2013 Lexus LX 570'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 constantly 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 electronic scan tool that is used by our Lexus auto repair mechanics at Nalley Lexus Smyrna. There are also a number of relatively 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 trained technical to mean the issue and repair it.