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 accurately 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 correct code reading and diagnosis. The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is generally between $88 and $111. The good news, Richmond BMW offers completely free multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to support determine the cause of your check engine light.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
The check engine light on your 2016 BMW 228i will normally 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. Also, 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 2016 BMW 228i 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 Richmond BMW so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.
2016 BMW 228i Check Engine Light
If the check engine light in your 2016 BMW 228i starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention instantly and your BMW should be brought in instantly. A flashing light reveals that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of instantly may result in considerable and serious damage to the car. This blinking light usually reveals a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can immediately raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an costly and considerable repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can explicitly be the cause. A faulty, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If the problem is totally 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 costly repair. If your check engine light is repeatedly flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Richmond BMW swiftly by calling 8042074692.
Check Engine Light Service 2016 BMW 228i
What do you do when you’re driving along in your BMW 228i and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most BMW owners, your heart sinks extremely because you may have absolutely 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, peaceful breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t mean you have to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is advised that you get your 2016 BMW 228i checked quickly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing considerable, extensive damage to expensive engine parts.
When your 2016 BMW 228i's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t right, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is generally 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 swiftly 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 BMW auto repair mechanics at Richmond BMW. There are still 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 explicitly appropriate issue and repair it.
What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
One of the most generally misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2016 BMW 228i is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the important onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a variety 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 car. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored car performance since the 80s and do a variety of things for your 2016 BMW 228i. Some of these essential duties include ignition timing, shifting automatic transmissions controlling engine speed, and implementing security control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean an assortment of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as unpredictable as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2016 BMW 228i, contact Richmond BMW. Our BMW service department can support you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing. Contact Richmond BMW today!
2016 BMW 228i 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, also known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your 228i. 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 advantageous knowledge about your car and will also allow that essential Check Engine Light to do what it is genuinely supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, obvious and helpful car symptoms do not repeatedly 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:
- Fuel and air metering systems problems
- Computer output circuit issues
- Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
- Ignition system faults
- Bad Spark Plugs
- Transmission issues
- Emissions controls issues
- Old Battery
- O2 Sensor
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. If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your vehicle further by not repairing the issue right away. Call Richmond BMW at 8042074692 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out swiftly by a skillful certified BMW mechanic.
Is it safe to drive your 2016 BMW 228i 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 BMW 228i 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 ordinarily indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the car, it could be an indication of a more serious problem. Call the experts at Richmond BMW by dialing 8042074692 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and bring your 2016 BMW to our certified mechanics as soon as potential.
What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2016 BMW 228i?
When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could likewise be a warning of a serious problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and expensive 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 indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in meaningful trouble and helpful service is needed swiftly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2016 BMW 228i, we immensely advise not to drive the vehicle and schedule BMW service today. Below is a list of the most regular 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 BMW 228i 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 BMW 228i is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden quick change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a crucial sign of a damaged mass airflow sensor.
- The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2016 BMW 228i is every essential. 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 genuinely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of BMW you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
- Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2016 BMW 228i’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A broken catalytic converter is frequently caused by repeatedly neglected maintenance, which is why Richmond BMW offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every BMW service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2016 BMW 228i 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 delicate problems from overheating.
- Your 2016 BMW 228i has a vacuum leak. Every BMW 228i has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system also helps lower 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 dry out and crack, especially if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme cold.
- 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 instantly and your car will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what results if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A damaged sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause significant damage to your catalytic converter and your 2016 BMW 228i's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the explicitly appropriate combination of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A damaged O2 sensor can also cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
- New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are required for your 2016 BMW 228i. 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 undergo a noticeable 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 clogged catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more pricey repairs.
- One of the most regular and frequent cause is that your 2016 BMW 228i gas cap is loose, broken or missing. The gas cap for your 2016 BMW 228i serves various purposes. It prevents dangerous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps cultivate pressure within the fuel tank. What results if you have a damaged 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 pricey. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't pricey. If your check engine light turns on quickly after you put gas in your 2016 BMW 228i, 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.
- Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your 2016 BMW 228i if it’s not installed properly. These aftermarket parts 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 228i to BMW and have our team of skilled certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed perfectly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first place might cost a little bit more but could help you save considerably from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
2016 BMW 228i 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 many typical causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other usually typical reasons for a Check Engine Light are dirty mass airflow sensor, defective head gasket, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, damaged oxygen sensor, defective emissions control part, or defective spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the BMW Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and completely repair it as needed to restore factory specifications. When this hits, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your BMW issue was entirely fixed.
Every 2016 BMW 228i was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its critical systems. The speedy 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. Nonetheless, sadly that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what definitely is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Richmond BMW provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Exceedingly Knowledgeable Service professional.
How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?
Since any check engine code has its own level of severity, it is ordinarily difficult to predict how numerous miles you can be secure in driving with the warning light on. If you check engine light is flashing, we advocate that you pull over and contact Richmond BMW to assist determine if your vehicle is secure to drive in or if we advocate a tow truck. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly.