The moment your check engine light flickers on, you feel it—a mix of panic and frustration. What now? Is it serious? You don’t know. But here’s what you do know: at Fremont Foreign Auto, we’ve seen it all, and we fix it fast. Based in Fremont, we serve drivers of all makes and models, and our shop is equipped to tackle the most common check engine light problems—whether you drive a 2015 Honda Civic or a 2019 BMW X5.
Let’s break it down. What causes that dreaded light to appear? Here are the top five issues that we see at our Fremont auto shop and how we solve them.
Oxygen Sensor Failure
Your car’s oxygen sensor works hard. It monitors how much oxygen is in the exhaust, ensuring your engine gets the right mix of air and fuel. But after 60,000 miles, it starts to fail. We see this in cars like the 2012 Toyota Corolla and the 2014 Ford Escape. When this sensor malfunctions, your fuel efficiency plummets. You’ll notice it at the pump. And worse? Your emissions go through the roof. Left untreated, it’ll wreck your catalytic converter. The fix? Simple. We swap it out with a new sensor, reset your system, and get you back on the road.
Loose Gas Cap
It’s the easiest fix out there, but believe it or not, a loose gas cap can trigger your check engine light. We’ve had drivers of 2020 Mazda CX-5s and 2018 Honda CR-Vs come in, convinced their car’s falling apart, only to find it was the gas cap all along. When the cap isn’t sealed properly, fuel vapors leak, messing with your fuel system. You waste gas and lose pressure. Our techs? We check, tighten, or replace your gas cap in minutes. Problem solved.
Catalytic Converter Failure
This one’s a big deal. Your catalytic converter turns harmful emissions into less toxic gases. But when it fails, your car struggles—2015 Nissan Altima, 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, you name it. Failures usually happen after 100,000 miles or if your engine’s been running poorly. The worst part? Your vehicle won’t pass emissions tests, and the repair isn’t cheap. But we handle it. At Fremont Foreign Auto, we use state-of-the-art diagnostics to confirm the issue, and when necessary, replace the converter so your car can run clean again.
Mass Airflow Sensor Problem
This sensor measures how much air flows into your engine and adjusts fuel accordingly. When it fails? Expect rough idling, stalling, and worse mileage. We see this issue often in 2016 Ford Fusions and 2018 Toyota Highlanders. Your engine struggles to breathe. At our Fremont shop, we first try cleaning the sensor—it’s usually clogged with dust and debris. If that doesn’t fix it, we replace it. Either way, your car’s back to running smoothly.
Ignition Coil Failure
Ever feel your car misfire? It’s probably an ignition coil. These little guys convert your battery’s voltage into the spark your engine needs to ignite fuel. When they fail, it’s bad news. You’ll experience power loss and poor acceleration. We frequently see this in vehicles like the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta and 2015 BMW 3 Series. The fix? We swap out the faulty coil and check the rest, ensuring no other parts are affected. It’s all about precision. We get it right the first time.
Ready for a Fix?
So, is your check engine light staring you down? At Fremont Foreign Auto, we’ve got the tools, the experience, and the know-how to get your car back in shape. From minor issues like a loose gas cap to bigger problems like a failed catalytic converter, we handle it all. Our Fremont auto shop serves the local area, including Newark and Union City. Don’t wait until it’s too late—let us fix what’s wrong before it becomes a costly disaster.
Why risk it? Stop by our Fremont shop today. Is your check engine light on? Let us take care of it so you can get back to enjoying the road.
