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

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

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most ordinarily misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2018 BMW 528i 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 brightens in either an amber or red color and is part of the diagnostics system found on your automobile. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored automobile performance since the 80s and do a variety of things for your 2018 BMW 528i. Some of these include ignition timing, controlling engine speed, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can determine a variety of gigantic things. It can be as plain as your gas cap being loose or as critical as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2018 BMW 528i, contact Richmond BMW Midlothian. Contact Richmond BMW Midlothian today! Our BMW service department can help you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or probe why your check engine light is blinking.

2018 BMW 528i Check Engine Light

A glaring light indicates that the problem is relentless and if not taken care of immediately may result in grand damage to the vehicle. If the check engine light in your 2018 BMW 528i starts glaring, that means that the problem needs immediate attention and your BMW should be brought in immediately. This blinking light usually indicates a tough engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be deposited into the exhaust system. There it can immediately increase the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is conceivable, requiring an expensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can exactly be the cause. A bad, aged or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. 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 expensive repair. If your check engine light is shining, please contact our team of automotive experts at Richmond BMW Midlothian immediately by calling 8043618758.

2018 BMW 528i Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard promptly 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 known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your 528i. There are hundreds of specific codes that your check engine light can mean. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling critical diagnostics will give you helpful knowledge about your automobile and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, accessible and helpful automobile symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of accessible OBD codes, there are also hundreds of accessible reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is crucial 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 damaging your car extra by not repairing the issue right away. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out quickly by a certified BMW mechanic. Call Richmond BMW Midlothian at 8043618758 today or schedule your check engine light service online today!

Is it safe to drive your 2018 BMW 528i with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is shining, this means that there is a powerful issue and it is recommended to service your BMW 528i shortly. This question is not largely effortless 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 typically indicated by a persistent glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the automobile, it could be an indication of a more compelling problem. Call the advisors at Richmond BMW Midlothian by dialing 8043618758 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and bring your 2018 BMW to our certified mechanics as soon as feasible.

Check Engine Light Service 2018 BMW 528i

What do you do when you’re driving along in your BMW 528i and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most BMW owners, your heart sinks a slight because you have slight idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the price of the unknown) can be just as stressful. But take a deep breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t indicate 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 2018 BMW 528i checked as soon as functional. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major damage to fancy engine components.

When your 2018 BMW 528i's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t decent, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is often 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 find out with an electronic observe tool that is used by our BMW auto repair mechanics at Richmond BMW Midlothian. There are also a number of comparably inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you designate that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an professional professional to find out the issue and repair it.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2018 BMW 528i 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 definite, 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 2018 BMW 528i light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that reward and the light is still on, you will need to bring it in to Richmond BMW Midlothian so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

2018 BMW 528i Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are countless ability causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are various respectable causes including something as important as a loose gas cap. Additional respectable reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty emissions control part, damaged oxygen sensor, dirty mass airflow sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, faulty head gasket, 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 Mechanics and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and repair it as decisive 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 2018 BMW 528i was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its crucial systems. The sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending data to the computerized control unit. If the computerized 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 definitely is remorseful nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Richmond BMW Midlothian 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 professional.

How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?

The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is typically between $88 and $111. The practical news, Richmond BMW Midlothian offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help find out the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not correctly tightened to a more draconian failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it practical to get the correct code reading and diagnosis.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2018 BMW 528i?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as familiar 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 wear and tear 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 steady glow typically means something less critical but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in critical trouble and service is essential quickly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2018 BMW 528i, we remarkably advise not to travel to work the vehicle and schedule BMW service now. Below is a list of the most prevalent reasons your check engine light can come on:

  • Your 2018 BMW 528i has a vacuum leak. Every BMW 528i 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 bare out and crack, notably if they’re exposed to important heat or extreme bitter.
  • Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or disparate item can wreak havoc on your 2018 BMW 528i if it’s not installed subsequently. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even prevent the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound normal, bring your 528i to BMW and have our squad of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed properly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, notably aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts earliest place might cost a miniature bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and break caused by poor installation work corrected.
  • 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 vehicle will be fewer possible 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 break to your catalytic converter and your 2018 BMW 528i's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to suggest the right mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A bad O2 sensor can also cause a car to fail an emissions test.
  • Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2018 BMW 528i’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 usually caused by neglected maintenance, which is why Richmond BMW Midlothian offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every BMW service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it revamped, your 2018 BMW 528i 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 disparate problems from overheating.
  • The battery is scanty or dead. The battery in your 2018 BMW 528i is every thrilling. 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 few decades ago, and they don't certainly require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of BMW you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
  • New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are mandatory for your 2018 BMW 528i. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. 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 break to ignition coils and O2 sensors, primary to more expensive repairs.
  • Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your BMW 528i 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 certain changes, like altitude. If your BMW 528i is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a quick change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a bad mass airflow sensor.
  • One of the most contemporary and frequent cause is that your 2018 BMW 528i gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2018 BMW 528i 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 now after you put gas in your 2018 BMW 528i, earliest 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.