2012 Audi A4 Check Engine Light

Is it safe to drive your 2012 Audi A4 with the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is twinkling, this means that there is a dangerous issue and it is recommended to service your Audi A4 abruptly. This question is not excessively distinct 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 constantly indicated by a practical 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 treacherous problem. Call the experts at Audi North Atlanta by dialing 7706189076 so you can describe the issues. Or cut your speed and bring your 2012 Audi to our certified mechanics as soon as functional.

Check Engine Light Service 2012 Audi A4

What do you do when you’re driving along in your Audi A4 and suddenly, a yellow light lights up on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Audi 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 imply 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 2012 Audi A4 checked as soon as probable. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major damage to expensive engine components.

When your 2012 Audi A4's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t handy, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is frequently 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 electrical probe tool that is used by our Audi auto repair mechanics at Audi North Atlanta. There are also a number of relatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you elect for that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced professional to opt for the issue and repair it.

2012 Audi A4 Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard immediately illuminates, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear correct away. If you hear the term, diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), these are just extra 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 A4. There are hundreds of discrete codes that your check engine light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling fundamental diagnostics will give you ready knowledge about your vehicle and will also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is genuinely supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, unmistakable and proper vehicle symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of achievable OBD codes, there are also hundreds of achievable reasons for the light, including:

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

This is why it is notable 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 memorable concern, you risk damaging your car further by not repairing the issue acceptable away. Call Audi North Atlanta at 7706189076 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out quickly by a certified Audi mechanic.

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

If you check engine light is flashing, we recommend that you pull over and contact Audi North Atlanta to help mean if your vehicle is active to drive in or if we recommend a tow truck. Since each 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. It could be anything from a damaging sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2012 Audi A4 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 correct, and you did a few 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 2012 Audi A4 light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that amount and the light is still on, you will need to bring it in to Audi North Atlanta so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2012 Audi A4?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as straightforward as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could also be a warning of a relentless problem that could cause relentless damage to your engine and come with a large repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady glow typically means something less relentless but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in relentless trouble and service is needed hastily. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2012 Audi A4, we remarkably recommend not to commute the car and schedule Audi service now. Below is a list of the most current reasons your check engine light can come on:

• One of the most innate and frequent cause is that your 2012 Audi A4 gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2012 Audi A4 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 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 immediately after you put gas in your 2012 Audi A4, first 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.
• Your 2012 Audi A4 has a vacuum leak. Every Audi A4 has a vacuum system that performs a expanded range of functions. The vacuum system also helps cut 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 important heat or extreme freezing.
• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2012 Audi A4 is every notable. 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 numerous decades ago, and they don't exactly require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Audi you commute, but check our current service coupons and specials.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are fundamental for your 2012 Audi A4. 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 harmful 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 damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, big to more expensive repairs.
• Your catalytic converter is harmful or going harmful. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2012 Audi A4’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 ordinarily caused by neglected maintenance, which is why Audi North Atlanta offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every Audi service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2012 Audi A4 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 added problems from overheating.
• Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or added item can wreak havoc on your 2012 Audi A4 if it’s not installed properly. 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 prevailing, bring your A4 to Audi and have our team of certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed correctly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first place might cost a little bit more but could save you money from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Audi A4 is what determines how much fuel is fundamental to run your engine efficiently by measuring the sum of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to functional changes, like altitude. If your Audi A4 is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a precipitous change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a sign of a harmful mass airflow sensor.
• Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, known as the O2 sensor, measures the sum of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns faster and your vehicle will be less direct 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 2012 Audi A4's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to read the good 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.

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 properly tightened to a more relentless failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it satisfactory to get the solid code reading and diagnosis. The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is naturally between $88 and $111. The satisfactory news, Audi North Atlanta offers complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help determine the cause of your check engine light.

2012 Audi A4 Check Engine Light Flashing

Although there are copious possible causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are various prevalent causes including something as amicable as a loose gas cap. Added prevalent reasons for a Check Engine Light are damaged oxygen sensor, faulty emissions control part, faulty head gasket, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, dirty mass airflow sensor, or defective spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Audi 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 Audi issue was fixed.

Every 2012 Audi A4 was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the car on its laborious systems. The sensors are continually 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 lights up telling you that there is a problem. However, that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what explicitly is incorrect nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Audi North Atlanta provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Extremely Qualified Service professional.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most commonly misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2012 Audi A4 is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a few definite 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 automobile. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored automobile performance since the 80s and do a variety of things for your 2012 Audi A4. Some of these include controlling engine speed, ignition timing, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing stability control, just to name several. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a variety of divergent things. It can be as proper as your gas cap being loose or as serious as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2012 Audi A4, contact Audi North Atlanta. Contact Audi North Atlanta today! Our Audi service department can assist you learn what code is turning your check engine light on or audit why your check engine light is flashing.

2012 Audi A4 Check Engine Light

A flashing light indicates that the problem is harsh and if not taken care of shortly may result in big damage to the vehicle. If the check engine light in your 2012 Audi A4 starts flashing, that means that the problem needs fast attention and your Audi should be brought in shortly. This blinking light usually hints a persuasive engine misfire allowing unused fuel to be discarded into the exhaust system. There it can quickly increase the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an pricey repair. A Few owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can exactly be the cause. A bad, long-established or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is flashing, please contact our department of automotive veterans at Audi North Atlanta abruptly by calling 7706189076. 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 incredibly pricey repair.