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Check Engine Light Service 2017 BMW X3

What do you do when you’re driving along in your BMW X3 and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most BMW owners, your heart sinks a small because you have small 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 2017 BMW X3 checked as soon as apt. Ignoring that warning could end up causing finest damage to fancy engine components.

When your 2017 BMW X3's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t accessible, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is frequently 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 BMW auto repair mechanics at Richmond BMW. 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 experienced licensed to designate the issue and repair it.

Is it safe to drive your 2017 BMW X3 with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is twinkling, this means that there is a precarious issue and it is recommended to service your BMW X3 rapidly. This question is not excessively pure 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 able to drive. This is frequently indicated by a dependable 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 perilous problem. Call the consultants at Richmond BMW by dialing 8042074692 so you can describe the issues. Or lessen your speed and bring your 2017 BMW to our certified mechanics as soon as likely.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most commonly misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2017 BMW X3 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 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 variety of things for your 2017 BMW X3. Some of these include shifting automatic transmissions ignition timing, controlling engine speed, and implementing stability control, just to name assorted. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a variety of divergent things. It can be as prevalent as your gas cap being loose or as relentless as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2017 BMW X3, contact Richmond BMW. Contact Richmond BMW today! Our BMW 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.

2017 BMW X3 Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are innumerable capacity causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are a few common causes including something as easy as a loose gas cap. Other common reasons for a Check Engine Light are dirty mass airflow sensor, damaged oxygen sensor, faulty head gasket, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, faulty 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 repair it as mandatory to restore factory specifications. When this happens, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your BMW issue was fixed.

Every 2017 BMW X3 was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its basic systems. The sensors are continuously detecting conditions while sending data to the electronic control squad. If the electronic control squad 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 exclusively is incorrect 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 Qualified Service mechanical.

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

If you check engine light is flashing, we indicate that you pull over and contact Richmond BMW to help read if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we indicate a tow truck. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy properly. Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is cooperative to predict how innumerable miles you can drive with the warning light on. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced.

2017 BMW X3 Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard abruptly 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 appreciative as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your X3. There are hundreds of discrete codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling central diagnostics will give you possible knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is certainly supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, accessible and practical 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:

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

This is why it is tremendous 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 relentless concern, you risk detrimental your car additional by not repairing the issue right away. Call Richmond BMW at 8042074692 at this moment or schedule your check engine light service online today! When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out quickly by a certified BMW mechanic.

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 correctly tightened to a more risky failure like a damaging catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it unusual to get the acceptable code reading and diagnosis. The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is constantly between $88 and $111. The unusual news, Richmond BMW offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help choose the cause of your check engine light.

2017 BMW X3 Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your 2017 BMW X3 starts flashing, that means that the problem needs prompt attention and your BMW should be brought in immediately. A flashing light indicates that the problem is alarming and if not taken care of immediately may result in abundant wear and tear to the vehicle. This blinking light frequently indicates a scrupulous engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be drained into the exhaust system. There it can urgently boost the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an fancy repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can totally be the cause. A bad, common or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is twinkling, please contact our team of automotive consultants at Richmond BMW immediately by calling 8042074692. 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 pricey repair.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2017 BMW X3?

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 active problem that could cause active break to your engine and come with a considerable repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A possible glow frequently means something less active but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in active trouble and service is basic abruptly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2017 BMW X3, we extraordinarily advise not to commute the vehicle and schedule BMW service today. Below is a list of the most reasonable reasons your check engine light can come on:

  • One of the most favored and frequent cause is that your 2017 BMW X3 gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2017 BMW X3 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 expensive. If your check engine light turns on expeditiously after you put gas in your 2017 BMW X3, first thing you should check is to make bold the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
  • Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2017 BMW X3’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 frequently caused by 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 fixed, your 2017 BMW X3 will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your automobile may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause extra problems from overheating.
  • Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, usual 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 good 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 2017 BMW X3's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to opt for the right assortment of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A bad O2 sensor can also cause a automobile to fail an emissions test.
  • Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your BMW X3 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 confident changes, like altitude. If your BMW X3 is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a immediate change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a bad mass airflow sensor.
  • Issues with all aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or extra item can wreak havoc on your 2017 BMW X3 if it’s not installed properly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prohibit the car from starting. If these issues sound favored, bring your X3 to BMW and have our team 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 value a little bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
  • Your 2017 BMW X3 has a vacuum leak. Every BMW X3 has a vacuum system that performs a colossal assortment 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 important heat or extreme congenial.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are mandatory for your 2017 BMW X3. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel assortment 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, major to more expensive repairs.
  • The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2017 BMW X3 is every bizarre. Without a automobile battery, your automobile won’t start, light up the road ahead, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s automobile batteries last much longer than they did a few decades ago, and they don't really require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of BMW you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2017 BMW X3 will frequently 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 factual, 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 2017 BMW X3 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.