TIL my car's check engine light was on for 3 months because of a loose gas cap, not a major failure

I ignored that light for 12 weeks thinking it'd cost me $800 at the shop, but my neighbor fixes cars on the side and he just twisted the cap tight and it turned off. Now I'm wondering if I wasted time or if being cautious was actually the right move. Has anyone else had a simple fix they overreacted to, or is it better to assume the worst with car problems?

2 comments

2 Comments

price.tara13d agoMost Upvoted

Read somewhere that over 60% of check engine light visits are actually minor issues like gas caps and oxygen sensors. Had the same thing with my old Civic, drove around for a week panicking before a friend told me to just check the cap first. Honestly though, better to assume the worst and be pleasantly surprised than ignore a real problem and blow up your engine.

hayden_butler2712d ago

My cousin's check engine light came on in his 2015 Ford Focus, and he spent 200 bucks at a shop only to find out it was a loose gas cap. Did you ever get that sinking feeling where the light comes on and you immediately start thinking about timing belt failures or cracked heads? I'm curious how many people actually take the time to check the simple stuff first before rushing to a mechanic. Seems like most of us just go straight to panic mode.