Check Engine Light

While moonlighting as a furniture deliveryman in Coto De Caza over the weekend, the 'check engine' light in my sporty Mazda 3 came on. As my car is 2 years old with a mere 12,000 miles, this unexpected disturbance came as a quite a shock.

When I came to a stop, I fetched my user guide from the spacious glove compartment ('glove'.. ha! You can fit a 10 gallon hat in there!). Section 5-35 informed me that the check engine light could mean one of the following (in this order):

1. The gas cap might not be on tightly
2. The electrical system could be malfunctioning
3. The emission system could be malfunctioning
4. The car could very low on gas

I just love it when a manual goes into such specific detail in pinpointing excatly what a problem may be.

"Hey! There may something wrong with your car having to do with something!"

The next morning, the 'check engine' light was off, so I called the service department at the dealership.

"Good morning, Mazda service department."

"Good morning. Yesterday my check-engine light came on while driving, but this morning it is no longer illuminated."

"Yeah, you're gas cap must not have been on tight."

"I read in the manual that was one of the possible scenarios, but it came on while driving so I am fairly certain that it was not the gas cap. Should I bring it by to get checked out?"

"No. You're ok."

Sigh.

While Kelley's expert diagnosis over the telephone was indeed impressive, it did not give the comfort level that I had hoped to achieve when I made the call. Now I am left wondering if I should make an appointment to take the car in or just wait until my next oil change and let them know that the 'check engine' light came on for a few hours six weeks ago.