The check engine light is hooked up to a number of devices in your vehicle. For this reason, if your check engine light turns on, you need to know what to do to ensure that your vehicle continues to run properly. Here are four things you should do:

1. Tighten the Gas Cap: Many people don't realize that the check engine can come on for the simple reason that the gas cap is not tightened enough. Instead of worrying about the check engine light and taking the time to take your vehicle into an auto repair shop, you should first tighten the gas cap to see if that helps. This will save you time and stress. 
2. Don't Panic: If tightening the gas cap does not resolve the problem, do not panic. You can still drive your vehicle safely, but don't ignore it. You should still address the issue before it becomes worse, but don't think that you need to have your car towed or serviced in your own front yard because you are too worried to drive it anywhere for repairs. 
3. Take the Car to an Auto Repair Shop: If the problem is not the gas cap, then you should take your car to an auto repair shop. The reason you should do this instead of make any repairs on your own is because an auto repair shop is going to be able to diagnose the problem properly. This is because they have the tools that are needed to find the code of the problem. They attach the device to your vehicle, it reads the code, which the technician then interprets to determine what the source of the issue is. 
4. Pay for the Replacement Parts: Most often, the reason your check engine light has turned on is because there are certain parts that need replacing, such as a spark plug or oxygen sensor. If this is the problem, then don't hesitate to buy those replacement parts. Of course, if you are looking to save money, then you could consider finding used parts, although this might take time and it may just be better to purchase the parts through your auto repair shop. In this case, ask if they have used parts available or if they can have them shipped within a few days. 

When you know these four things to do when your check engine light has turned on, you can be sure that it's something you know how to handle with ease. For more information, talk to a professional like White Pass Garage.