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The check engine light or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) means that the vehicle computer detects a system not functioning within its pre-programmed parameters. Many things can trigger the check engine light: A loose fuel cap (computer sees a pressure loss in the fuel system), a vacuum leak, a bad fuel pump, a bad spark plug, a plugged fuel filter, a broken, pinched or disconnected wire, a lazy oxygen sensor, or a malfunctioning coolant temperature sensor.

Don't worry! What were the driving conditions and circumstances when the light first came on? Did it come on shortly after you filled the fuel tank? Did it come on after an extended drive in Arizona's summer heat? These clues can help the technician find the problem quicker saving you some money.

If the MIL is flashing, you need to get to your repair facility ASAP! This indicates that your vehicle's emission control system could soon be damaged.

When the check engine light comes on, make an appointment to have your vehicle tested. A technician will scan the computer for codes that help him find the malfunctioning system and begin the repair process.

New Parts - These parts are made to the original specifications, either by the manufacturer or an independent company. Your state may require repair shops to tell you if non-original equipment will be used in the repair. Prices and quality of these parts vary.

Remanufactured, Rebuilt and Reconditioned Parts - These terms generally mean the same thing: parts have been restored to a sound working condition. Many manufacturers offer a warranty covering replacement parts, but not the labor to install them.

Used Parts - These are used parts taken from another vehicle without alteration. Used parts may be the only source for certain items, though their reliability is seldom guaranteed.

Regular preventive maintenance improves performance and extends the life of your engine, suspension and power train while preventing unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs.
Oil, lube and filter should be changed every 3 months or 3,000 miles to prevent abnormal wear and tear on your engine.

Air Filter should be inspected regularly and changed as necessary to ensure optimal performance of your engine and improved fuel economy.

Fuel injection system should be serviced every 15,000 miles to prevent carbon build-up and deposits that restrict fuel flow and degrade engine performance.

Transmission fluid and filter should be replaced every 30,000 miles to ensure proper lubrication, preventing damage and ensuring smooth performance.

Timing Belts should be changed every 60,000 miles or as recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle to prevent unexpected failure that can leave you stranded.

Maintenance tune-up should be performed as recommended by the manufacturer of your automobile to ensure longevity, optimal performance of your engine, and improved fuel economy.

Most parts on your vehicle are interrelated. Ignoring or neglecting even simple routine maintenance, such as changing the oil or checking the coolant, can lead to poor fuel economy, unreliability, or costly breakdowns. It also may invalidate your warranty.

Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual for your type of driving.

Tire maintenance:
The correct air pressure, rotating tires regularly, and keeping your tires aligned and in balance improves safety. It also saves you money by extending the life of your tires.

Correct air pressure in each tire ensures safe handling, and uniform wear improves fuel economy.

Rotating tires every 6,000 miles ensures smooth ride, uniform tire wear and allows for inspection of brakes and suspension.

Balancing tires corrects annoying vibrations and prevents irregular tire wear.

Proper alignment ensures safe handling and also prevents irregular tire wear. This should be checked whenever your car is pulling to the left or right.

You should have the alignment checked if you are experiencing any of the following:

Excessive or uneven tire wear (provided the tires have been inflated at the proper air pressure)

Steering wheel pulls to the left or right (again, first check air pressure in each tire)

Steering feels loose or the car wanders on the road

If the steering wheel is not centered

If you feel any shaking, vibration, or shimmy when driving

Always follow your manufacturer's recommendations as outlined in the owner's manual. Typically, these items are replaced every 5 years or 50,000 miles. It's best to have these items checked and replaced before the hot weather begins in the summertime.

Spark plugs, wires, distributor caps and rotors break down and fail over time due to exposure to moisture, oil, grease and under hood temperatures that can reach as much as 550 to 700 degrees. Worn spark plugs require higher voltage, forcing the ignition module and coil to produce increasingly higher and higher voltages to overcome the resistance. This breaks down the spark plug wire's insulation, creating an easier path to ground. This causes the ignition module and coil to produce even more voltage, creating even higher temperatures within them. The increased resistance weakens transistors and electrical insulation within modules, coils and computers, resulting in intermittent and premature failure.

If your vehicle has over 60,000 miles and you haven't replaced your spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, you may experience a variety of drivability problems that are often difficult and very costly to diagnose and repair.