2013 Audi S4 Check Engine Light
If the check engine light in your 2013 Audi S4 starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention rapidly and your Audi should be brought in quickly. A flashing light indicates that the problem is exceedingly serious and if not taken care of rapidly may result in major and significant damage to the vehicle. This blinking light normally indicates a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can immediately raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an pricey and extensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can precisely be the cause. A defective, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If the problem is totally 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 costly repair. If your check engine light is regularly flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Audi North Atlanta instantly by calling 7706189076.
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 endorse that you pull over and contact Audi North Atlanta to help determine if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we endorse a tow truck. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is ordinarily difficult to predict how many miles you can be safe in driving with the warning light on.
Check Engine Light Service 2013 Audi S4
What do you do when you’re driving along in your Audi S4 and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Audi owners, your heart sinks exceptionally because you may have exactly 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, calm breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t mean you have to pull the car over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is advised that you get your 2013 Audi S4 checked promptly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major, considerable damage to pricey engine parts.
When your 2013 Audi S4's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t correct, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is typically 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 can instantly identify the issue, whether it's a sensor or a failing engine part. This code is read with an electronic scan tool that is used by our Audi auto repair mechanics at Audi North Atlanta. There are likewise a number of essentially inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you select that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced professional to determine the precisely correct issue and repair it.
How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?
The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is generally between $88 and $111. The good news, Audi North Atlanta offers totally complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help determine the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not properly tightened to a more serious failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it good to get the proper code reading and diagnosis.
Is it safe to drive your 2013 Audi S4 with the check engine light on?
This question is not exceptionally simple 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 secure to drive. This is usually indicated by a steady 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 serious problem. If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is advised to service your Audi S4 promptly. Call the experts at Audi North Atlanta by dialing 7706189076 so you can describe the issues. Or reduce your speed and bring your 2013 Audi to our certified mechanics as in the near future as imaginable.
What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2013 Audi S4?
When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could again be a warning of a significant problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and pricey repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady and continuous glow typically means something less serious but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in significant trouble and useful service is needed expeditiously. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2013 Audi S4, we exceptionally endorse not to drive the vehicle and schedule Audi service today. Below is a list of the most common reasons your check engine light can come on:
- Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Audi S4 is what determines how much fuel is necessary 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 Audi S4 is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden fast change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a essential sign of a faulty mass airflow sensor.
- The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2013 Audi S4 is every critical. Without a vehicle battery, your vehicle won’t start, light up the road ahead, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s vehicle batteries last much longer than they did a few decades ago, and they don't really require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Audi you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
- Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2013 Audi S4’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A broken catalytic converter is usually caused by consistently neglected maintenance, which is why Audi North Atlanta offers a free multi-point check with every Audi service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2013 Audi S4 will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your vehicle may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause other delicate problems from overheating.
- Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your 2013 Audi S4 if it’s not installed accurately. 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 familiar, bring your S4 to Audi and have our team of skilled certified mechanics make sure that your aftermarket items were installed correctly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or utilizing OEM parts first place might cost a little bit more but could help you save substantially from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
- New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are necessary for your 2013 Audi S4. 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 smooth. 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 a evident 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, leading to more costly repairs.
- 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 more quickly and your vehicle will be less efficient 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 significant damage to your catalytic converter and your 2013 Audi S4's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the definitely correct mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A faulty O2 sensor can still cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
- Your 2013 Audi S4 has a vacuum leak. Every Audi S4 has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system still helps lower unhealthy 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 intense heat or extreme cold.
- One of the most common and frequent cause is that your 2013 Audi S4 gas cap is loose, broken or missing. The gas cap for your 2013 Audi S4 serves multiple purposes. It prevents unpredictable 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 faulty 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 and be more expensive. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't costly. If your check engine light turns on expeditiously after you put gas in your 2013 Audi S4, 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.
2013 Audi S4 Check Engine Light Codes
The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating, particularly to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminate, 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 S4. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can accurately represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you useful knowledge about your car and will also allow that crucial Check Engine Light to do what it is absolutely supposed to do: be your guide. Sadly, clear and useful car symptoms do not always accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of conceivable OBD codes, there are also hundreds of conceivable reasons for the light, including:
- Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
- O2 Sensor
- Ignition system faults
- Emissions controls issues
- Computer output circuit issues
- Old Battery
- Fuel and air metering systems problems
- Transmission issues
- Bad Spark Plugs
This is why it is critical for someone who does not have a lot of prevailing automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out expeditiously by a skillful certified Audi mechanic. Call Audi North Atlanta at 7706189076 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your car further by not repairing the issue right away.
What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
One of the most usually misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2013 Audi S4 is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the vital onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a wide range of 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 illuminates in either an amber or red color and is part of the diagnostics system found on your vehicle. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored vehicle performance since the 80s and do a wide range of things for your 2013 Audi S4. Some of these essential duties include shifting automatic transmissions ignition timing, controlling engine speed, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean an assortment of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as dangerous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2013 Audi S4, contact Audi North Atlanta. Contact Audi North Atlanta today! Our Audi service department can help you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
The check engine light on your 2013 Audi S4 will normally 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 rapidly turn itself off. Also, if your catalytic converter is working correctly, 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 2013 Audi S4 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.
2013 Audi S4 Check Engine Light Flashing
Although there are countless potential causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are several common causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other generally common reasons for a Check Engine Light are faulty head gasket, damaged oxygen sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, defective emissions control part, 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 Mechanics and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and absolutely repair it as needed 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 entirely fixed.
Every 2013 Audi S4 was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the car on its essential systems. The quick sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending vital data to the electronic control unit. If the electronic control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light illuminates telling you that there is a problem. However, unfortunately that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what exactly is wrong 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.