Check Engine Light Service 2021 Honda Civic Type R
What do you do when you’re driving along in your Honda Civic Type R and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Honda 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, peaceful breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t mean you have to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is suggested that you get your 2021 Honda Civic Type R checked instantly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing major, huge damage to costly engine parts.
When your 2021 Honda Civic Type R'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 expeditiously 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 Honda auto repair mechanics at Hare Honda. There are still a number of essentially inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you choose 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 definitely correct issue and repair it.
2021 Honda Civic Type R 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 Civic Type R. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can correctly 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. Unfortunately, obvious and useful car symptoms do not repeatedly accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of likely OBD codes, there are also hundreds of likely reasons for the light, including:
- O2 Sensor
- Transmission issues
- Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
- Computer output circuit issues
- Emissions controls issues
- Ignition system faults
- Bad Spark Plugs
- Fuel and air metering systems problems
- Old Battery
This is why it is essential 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 swiftly by a proficient certified Honda mechanic. Call Hare Honda at 3178544791 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 vehicle further by not repairing the issue right away.
What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
One of the most commonly misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2021 Honda Civic Type R is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the crucial onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a variety 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 variety of things for your 2021 Honda Civic Type R. Some of these essential duties include controlling engine speed, ignition timing, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing cohesion control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a variety of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as hazardous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2021 Honda Civic Type R, contact Hare Honda. Contact Hare Honda today! Our Honda 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.
How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?
If you check engine light is flashing, we advocate that you pull over and contact Hare Honda to help determine if your car is secure to drive in or if we advocate a tow truck. Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is typically difficult to predict how many miles you can be secure in driving with the warning light on. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly.
2021 Honda Civic Type R 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 mostly common reasons for a Check Engine Light are a malfunction with the fuel injection system, broken oxygen sensor, faulty emissions control part, faulty head gasket, dirty mass airflow sensor, or damaged spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Honda Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and utterly 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 Honda issue was completely fixed.
Every 2021 Honda Civic Type R was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its critical systems. The rapid sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending critical 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 precisely is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Hare Honda provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Very Qualified Service professional.
2021 Honda Civic Type R Check Engine Light
If the check engine light in your 2021 Honda Civic Type R starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention immediately and your Honda should be brought in quickly. A flashing light indicates that the problem is exceptionally serious and if not taken care of immediately may result in major and meaningful damage to the vehicle. This blinking light normally reveals a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can quickly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an expensive and major repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can definitely be the cause. A broken, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If the problem is completely ignored or you continue to drive, this can spread to the spark plug wires, catalytic converter, or ignition coils which can lead to a exceptionally costly repair. If your check engine light is invariably flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Hare Honda rapidly by calling 3178544791.
Is it safe to drive your 2021 Honda Civic Type R with the check engine light on?
If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is advised to service your Honda Civic Type R quickly. This question is not extremely 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. Call the experts at Hare Honda by dialing 3178544791 so you can describe the issues. Or decrease your speed and bring your 2021 Honda to our certified mechanics as soon as conceivable.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
The check engine light on your 2021 Honda Civic Type R will normally shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For instance, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it's tightened, the light will promptly turn itself off. Again, if your catalytic converter is working properly, 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 2021 Honda Civic Type R 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 Hare Honda so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.
What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2021 Honda Civic Type R?
When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Again, the check engine light could also be a warning of a significant problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and costly repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady and continuous glow usually means something less serious but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is in significant trouble and helpful service is necessary promptly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2021 Honda Civic Type R, we exceptionally recommend not to drive the car and schedule Honda 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 Honda Civic Type R is what determines how much fuel is required 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 Honda Civic Type R is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden quick change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a critical sign of a damaged mass airflow sensor.
- Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2021 Honda Civic Type R’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 regularly neglected maintenance, which is why Hare Honda offers a complimentary multi-point inspection with every Honda service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2021 Honda Civic Type R 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 perilous problems from overheating.
- 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 damaged sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause meaningful damage to your catalytic converter and your 2021 Honda Civic Type R's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the specifically correct mix of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A damaged O2 sensor can still cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
- The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2021 Honda Civic Type R is every crucial. Without a vehicle battery, your vehicle won’t start, light up the road in front, 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 absolutely require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Honda you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
- Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your 2021 Honda Civic Type R if it’s not installed correctly. 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 Civic Type R to Honda and have our team of skilled certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed perfectly 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 required for your 2021 Honda Civic Type R. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mix 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 conspicuous poor performance and decreased 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 pricey repairs.
- Your 2021 Honda Civic Type R has a vacuum leak. Every Honda Civic Type R has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system still helps lower adverse 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 2021 Honda Civic Type R gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2021 Honda Civic Type R serves numerous purposes. It prevents hazardous 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 damaged 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 pricey. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't pricey. If your check engine light turns on expeditiously after you put gas in your 2021 Honda Civic Type R, 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.
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 correctly 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. The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is generally between $88 and $111. The good news, Hare Honda offers entirely free multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to help determine the cause of your check engine light.