I had recently finished the B2 service of my 2014 E class. Last week the check engine light was on (steady yellow) for almost one day. I booked a service appointment at that time for this week. The light hasn't come on since then. Should I cancel the appointment or go for it?

 

I would say go for it,
have you check it with an OBDII reader ?

 

You are kidding, right? I don't know what that thing is and even if I do, I won't know how to operate it .

 

Seriously? You could check the code in a couple minutes and determine if you needed to take the car in and waste your time.

 

So I need to buy that instrument or can see the code in the center display of car? Help me out please. Sorry, I'm a complete noob at this.

 

It's a device that you attach to the car to give you the codes. I've seen some for about 25 bucks. I've read there is a bluetooth version that is around 10-15 bucks that will work with your phone. I can't say anything since I've been to lazy to get one myself but it's been suggested to me to get one as well.

 

Some chain parts stores can hook up a scan tool and pull the trouble codes.

 

Drive to AutoZone and they will read the codes for you.


When you get the light it means that there is an active malfunction in the cars emission control system. When the light goes away it means that the active malfunction is not present BUT the car usually saves a code in a memory to show that there was an incident that set the light. You need to have this read before it reset as it will after some time period if the issue does not come back.


You have a new car but get the code reader. You can get one for $35 and up. Some very fancy ones will cost you hundreds of $$. But a low cost one can read the codes and reset them too. AutoZone will not reset the codes as it is illegal for them (or other parts sellers) to do it.


Code reader is a good tool as it can tell you about some issues that do not set the light and the dealer won't tell you.


But as it is a new car the dealer is to take care of it under warranty.

 

If you have an Android phone, Torque Pro is THE app to have. An ELM bluetooth adapter from Ebay is about $20 and plugs into the OBD-II port under the steering wheel and provides the interface between the car's computer and the Torque app. It'll read and erase the codes and will give you real time data while the car is running. I use it a lot on my post 1996 cars and trucks. The more you know, the less likely you can be taken advantage of if you do need to get someone else to wrench on your ride.

Edit: nearly 900 posts and you don't know what a code reader is/does? Are we being trolled?

 

The first time I took my 2015 in for its first service, within hours of getting out of the dealership the Check Engine light came on. Not sure what they did to it, but I took it right back and they ended up keeping it for a few days, eventually updating some software somewhere.

 

I've heard a few stories like this of new cars getting CEL from software type of issues.