You are cruising down the road without a care in the world, and suddenly the bright yellow service engine soon light comes on in your dashboard display. So many thoughts begin to run through your mind. What is causing the light to come on? Is there a major problem with my vehicle? How soon should I take my car to the mechanic? What is this going to cost me?

What does the service engine soon light mean on a Nissan?

Meaning of the Service Engine Soon Light

The service engine soon light is often mistaken for the check engine light. The check engine light is a light to warn you to a possible issue with your exhaust system or emissions system. The service engine soon light can come on for minor issues like a loose gas cap, or for more major problems such as possible engine failure.

Your Service Engine Soon Light Should Not Cause You to Panic

The light does say service engine soon, but you may not necessarily have to make any major repairs soon. One thing you can do right away is make sure all of your fluids are topped-off. This includes your engine oil, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid as well as transmission fluid. Physically inspect your car to check for any leaks, wear or signs of damage. A vehicle with leaky fluid is usually not safe for driving and should be repaired immediately.

Diagnose the Issue

You will want to diagnose the issue right away to make sure there is not a serious problem with the engine. If the service engine soon light is flashing, you should to cease driving immediately in order to avoid doing any further damage to your engine and take your car to a service center. A service technician can hook up a code reader to your vehicle’s computer to diagnose any potential problems. Once the diagnostic code is known, you or your mechanic can consult your owner’s manual or service manual to find out exactly what the issue is.

T3 Atlanta Auto Repair

When the service engine soon light comes on it can put a damper on your day, but oftentimes the issue is not a major one. The best thing to do is take your vehicle to a skilled and reliable mechanic to diagnose the problem and leave any repairs to an expert technician.

Visit a T3 Atlanta location to diagnose the issue with your Nissan or other imported vehicle free of charge! We have two convenient locations in Smyrna and Decatur. Our highly skilled import auto mechanics have over 20 years of experience working on Nissan, Lexus, Infiniti and Toyota vehicles. If you are having car problems, or if you need to schedule an appointment for routine maintenance, call T3 Atlanta today!