How to Reset Check Engine Light

Dashboard with an engine warning light and speedometer reading 40.

You’re driving around the Moose Jaw area when your check engine light comes on. Often, there’s nothing wrong with your engine, but that light won’t turn off. If you’re wondering about resetting a check engine light, this guide from the Capital Ford Lincoln service team explores how to undertake this process successfully.

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If There’s a Car Problem, Have It Resolved

When you’ve reached the point where you’re asking about resetting a check engine light, either you’ve confirmed nothing is wrong or have decided not to fix the issue. While this is up to you, we recommend you take care of the issue ASAP, for your safety. Ignoring potential vehicle issues can lead to larger problems. That’s why we recommend scheduling service with our experienced auto technicians to get you back on Weyburn-area roads soon enough.

Disconnect The Negative Battery Cable

If you can’t find any problem that needs addressing, knowing how to reset a check engine light is the next logical step. For those Estevan drivers who aren’t familiar with what’s under their car’s hood, we recommend following these steps:

Turn off your ignition and put on safety glasses and gloves.
Locate the negative terminal. Usually, it has a black cap and a negative (-) symbol. By contrast, the positive cap is red and has a positive (+) symbol.
Loosen the nut on the negative terminal with a wrench, then pull the negative connector from your battery. Keep it to the side for 30-60 seconds.
Reconnect the negative cable and tighten it back up with your wrench.

This should fix the problem, but if it doesn’t reset your check engine light, we have another option. Remember that disconnecting your battery can also reset your vehicle’s infotainment system.

Check Your Gas Cap

Sometimes, you might have a loose or cracked gas cap, which can cause fumes to be released. Often, your engine light will illuminate because of this. After parking, remove your gas cap and put it back on. If your engine light doesn’t turn off right away after performing this check, follow our steps cited above to disconnect the battery, and you should be ready to go!

Visit The Capital Ford Lincoln Service Centre For Additional Help

Now that you know how to reset a check engine light, if you would rather a professional do the job, bring your car down to our service centre team at Capital Ford Lincoln. Over the years, we’ve been helping Moose Jaw-area drivers get their vehicles in perfect working order. Before scheduling your next appointment, check out our service specials to save. Keep your car at peak performance with the service team at Capital Ford Lincoln!