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

It could be anything from a harmful sensor to plug wires needing to be changed. If you check engine light is flashing, we suggest that you pull over and contact Richmond BMW to help embrace if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we suggest a tow truck. Since all check engine code has its own level of severity, it is difficult to predict how many miles you can drive with the warning light on. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy appropriately.

Check Engine Light Service BMW X5

What do you do when you’re driving along in your BMW X5 and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most BMW 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 BMW X5 checked as soon as usable. Ignoring that warning could end up causing considerable wear and tear to expensive engine parts.

When your BMW X5's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t good, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is naturally 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 probe tool that is used by our BMW auto repair mechanics at Richmond BMW. There are also a number of comparably low-priced 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 experienced to advise the issue and repair it.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most continually misunderstood lights or indicators in your BMW X5 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 assortment of things for your BMW X5. 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 illustrate a variety of detectable things. It can be as available as your gas cap being loose or as serious as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your BMW X5, 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 scan why your check engine light is flashing.

BMW X5 Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminates, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear good 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 X5. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can indicate. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling meaningful diagnostics will give you beneficial knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Sadly, overt and careful vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of convenient OBD codes, there are also hundreds of convenient reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is main for someone who does not have several of automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. Call Richmond BMW at 8042074692 straightaway or schedule your check engine light service online today! When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out instantly by a certified BMW mechanic. If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your automobile additional by not repairing the issue proper away.

BMW X5 Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are copious capability causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are countless simple causes including something as intriguing as a loose gas cap. Other simple reasons for a Check Engine Light are damaged oxygen sensor, faulty head gasket, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, dirty mass airflow sensor, faulty emissions control part, or defective spark plugs to name a lot. 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 basic 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 BMW X5 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 consistently detecting conditions while sending 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. However, that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what exactly is guilty 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 Extraordinarily Qualified Service professional.

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

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your BMW X5 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 compelling, 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 BMW X5 light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you travel to work 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.

Is it safe to drive your BMW X5 with the check engine light on?

This question is not excessively momentous 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 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 scrupulous problem. If the check engine light is shining, this means that there is a scrupulous issue and it is recommended to service your BMW X5 hastily. Call the mentors at Richmond BMW by dialing 8042074692 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and deliver your BMW to our certified mechanics as soon as functional.

BMW X5 Check Engine Light

If the check engine light in your BMW X5 starts flashing, that means that the problem needs sudden attention and your BMW should be brought in immediately. A flashing light indicates that the problem is unhealthy and if not taken care of immediately may result in major damage to the vehicle. This blinking light usually illustrates a harsh engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can abruptly increase the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where wear and tear is feasible, requiring an pricey repair. A Few owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can surely be the cause. A bad, departed or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is flashing, please contact our squad of automotive experts at Richmond BMW hastily 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 BMW X5?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as clear 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 dependable glow customarily means something less critical but a blinking check engine light illustrates that your vehicle’s engine is in critical trouble and service is crucial expeditiously. If your check engine light is blinking in your BMW X5, we exceptionally endorse not to drive the vehicle and schedule BMW service expeditiously. Below is a list of the most efficient reasons your check engine light can come on:

  • The battery is low or dead. The battery in your BMW X5 is all terrible. 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 miniature 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 amicable service coupons and specials.
  • Your BMW X5 has a vacuum leak. All BMW X5 has a vacuum system that performs a expanded 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 big heat or extreme bitter.
  • Issues with all aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or back-up item can wreak havoc on your BMW X5 if it’s not installed accurately. 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 amicable, bring your X5 to BMW and have our company of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed properly and aren't causing all issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first place might cost a slight 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 classic and frequent cause is that your BMW X5 gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your BMW X5 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 harmful fuel cap? If your gas cap is traditional 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 immediately after you put gas in your BMW X5, first thing you should check is to make positive the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
  • Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your BMW X5 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 definitive changes, like altitude. If your BMW X5 is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a harmful mass airflow sensor.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are mandatory for your BMW X5. 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 transport the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are harmful or traditional, you will experience poor performance and reduced power. In a bit 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, first-rate to more expensive repairs.
  • 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 adequate 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 BMW X5's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to learn the honorable mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A harmful O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
  • Your catalytic converter is harmful or going harmful. The catalytic converter is a part of your BMW X5’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 all BMW service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your BMW X5 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 back-up problems from overheating.