The Check Engine Light strikes fear into the hearts of some Poway motorists and is totally ignored by just as many. Just what it means is a mystery to most of us Poway motorists.

Let’s get the urgency issues out of the way first. If your check engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause important engine damage. Naturally, you need to get that taken care of right away. If your check engine light is flashing, you shouldn’t drive at California interstate speeds, tow or haul heavy loads. Take it easy all the way to your Poway service center.

If the light is glowing steadily, you should keep an eye on it for a day or two. If the light doesn’t go off, schedule an appointment with your Friendly Poway Auto Repair service professional to get it checked out.

Some more Poway information on how the Check Engine Light works may be informative for Poway drivers. Most of your engine functions are controlled by a computer, not surprisingly, called an engine control computer. The computer is able to adjust many engine parameters for environmental conditions, engine condition and even the way you drive.

In order to make these adjustments, the computer relies on a network of sensors to provide data. The computer knows the proper operating range for each sensor. When a sensor reading is out of range the computer runs some tests and may turn on the Vehicle ‘s Check Engine Light.

A simple example is a loose or missing gas cap. This may cause one of the sensors to read out of range. The computer doesn’t know if it’s a serious condition that caused the reading or just a loose gas cap, so it stores a trouble code and turns on the Check Engine Light.

Now when you tighten up the gas cap the sensor readings will be in the correct range. The computer will keep checking on the report for a day or two. Since a bad reading didn’t come up again, it turns off the Check Engine Light. The computer will also try to make adjustments to compensate for some readings. If it can do so, it’ll then turn off the Check Engine Light.

If the problem can’t be resolved then the light will remain on and you should get your Vehicle looked at. Your Friendly Poway Auto Repair service advisor will plug a scanner into the on-board diagnostic port and read the trouble code stored in the computer. The trouble code will give the technician a starting place as he diagnoses the cause of the problem.

When accidents occur in Poway, California, the victims’ emergency contacts are extremely important. Too often, those involved aren’t able to provide rescuers with phone numbers and important medical information.

When California police and rescue workers must sift through pockets, glove compartments, wallets, purses and cell phone directories they waste precious time.

In the unfortunate event that you are involved in an accident, you have people in the Poway, California area who you’ll want to be contacted to arrange help, give consent to treatment, and inform Poway paramedics of medical conditions, allergies or medications.

A brilliantly simple solution is now spreading through Poway and around the globe: ICE. ICE – standing for In Case of Emergency, is a way to identify emergency contacts in your cell phone directory.

Simply put ‘ICE’ before a contact name in your cell phone, like ‘ICE – Dad’, ‘ICE – Nancy’, or ‘ICE – Doctor Roberts’. Rescuers will be able to quickly identify your emergency contacts, saving valuable time.

Bob Brotchie, a Cambridge, England paramedic came up with the idea and created a promotional campaign in England in 2005. This dynamic idea is gaining attention in Poway, California and in other countries. Poway rescue workers all know of how many times they are unable to find a wallet or purse on an accident victim, yet most Poway area folks over fourteen years of age are seldom without their cell phone.

There are national and worldwide disaster databases, but participation can cost up to two hundred dollars a year. ‘ICE’ is free to the 276 million cell phone users in the U.S.

It is easy for Poway car owners and their families to designate some ICE contacts in their cell phone. Remember to keep the listings current.

Please join Poway Auto Repair in getting the word out. Help us put Poway, California on ICE!