2023 Lexus NX 350h Check Engine Light

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

One of the most usually misunderstood lights or indicators in your 2023 Lexus NX 350h is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the essential onboard diagnostics system, and displays in an assortment 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 car. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored car performance since the 80s and do an assortment of things for your 2023 Lexus NX 350h. Some of these essential duties include ignition timing, controlling engine speed, shifting automatic transmissions and implementing security control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a wide range of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as unpredictable as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your 2023 Lexus NX 350h, contact Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood. Contact Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood today! Our Lexus service department can support you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing.

2023 Lexus NX 350h Check Engine Light

A flashing light indicates that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of immediately may result in considerable and serious damage to the vehicle. If the check engine light in your 2023 Lexus NX 350h starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention immediately and your Lexus should be brought in instantly. This blinking light ordinarily indicates 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 extensive repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can exactly be the cause. A broken, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is constantly flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood instantly by calling 7204191927. If the problem is entirely ignored or you continue to drive, this can spread to the spark plug wires, catalytic converter, or ignition coils which can lead to a very expensive repair.

2023 Lexus NX 350h Check Engine Light Codes

The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating, exceptionally 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, still known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your NX 350h. 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 helpful knowledge about your vehicle and will still allow that important Check Engine Light to do what it is really supposed to do: be your guide. Unfortunately, apparent and useful vehicle symptoms do not consistently accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of potential OBD codes, there are still hundreds of potential reasons for the light, including:

• Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
• Old Battery
• Fuel and air metering systems problems
• Bad Spark Plugs
• Emissions controls issues
• Computer output circuit issues
• Ignition system faults
• Transmission issues
• O2 Sensor

This is why it is essential for someone who does not have a lot of prevalent automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. Call Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood at 7204191927 today or schedule your check engine light service online today! When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out rapidly by a adept certified Lexus mechanic. If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your car further by not repairing the issue right away.

How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?

The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is typically between $88 and $111. The good news, Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood offers totally complimentary multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to assist determine the cause of your check engine light. The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not properly 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 correct code reading and diagnosis.

Will the check engine light reset itself?

The check engine light on your 2023 Lexus NX 350h will usually shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For example, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it's tightened, the light will instantly turn itself off. Also, if your catalytic converter is working perfectly, 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 2023 Lexus NX 350h 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 Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.

Check Engine Light Service 2023 Lexus NX 350h

What do you do when you're driving along in your Lexus NX 350h and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you're like most Lexus owners, your heart sinks extremely because you may have absolutely 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 car over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is advised that you get your 2023 Lexus NX 350h checked expeditiously. Ignoring that warning could end up causing significant, considerable damage to expensive engine parts.

When your 2023 Lexus NX 350h'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 ordinarily 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 swiftly 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 Lexus auto repair mechanics at Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood. There are also a number of comparatively 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 specifically correct issue and repair it.

2023 Lexus NX 350h 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 many common causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other usually common reasons for a Check Engine Light are damaged oxygen sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, damaged head gasket, dirty mass airflow sensor, damaged emissions control part, or faulty spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Lexus Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and totally repair it as required to restore factory specifications. When this occurs, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Lexus issue was totally fixed.

Every 2023 Lexus NX 350h was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the car on its vital systems. The speedy sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending vital 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. Nevertheless, unfortunately that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won't tell you what explicitly is wrong nor what to do about it. That's where we come in; Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Exceptionally Qualified Service professional.

Is it safe to drive your 2023 Lexus NX 350h 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 Lexus NX 350h quickly. This question is not very 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 typically indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the car, it could be an indication of a more serious problem. Call the experts at Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood by dialing 7204191927 so you can describe the issues. Or lessen your speed and bring your 2023 Lexus to our certified mechanics as soon as potential.

What could cause the check engine light to come on in a 2023 Lexus NX 350h?

When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Likewise, the check engine light could still be a warning of a serious problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and expensive repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady and continuous glow typically means something less serious but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle's engine is in serious trouble and helpful service is necessary instantly. If your check engine light is flashing in your 2023 Lexus NX 350h, we immensely suggest not to drive the car and schedule Lexus service today. Below is a list of the most common reasons your check engine light can come on:

• The battery is low or dead. The battery in your 2023 Lexus NX 350h is every vital. 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 Lexus you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
• New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are required for your 2023 Lexus NX 350h. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture 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 endure a evident poor performance and reduced power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause obstructed catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more costly repairs.
• Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your 2023 Lexus NX 350h if it's not installed accurately. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even impede the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your NX 350h to Lexus and have our team of skilled certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed perfectly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, exceptionally aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first place might cost a little bit more but could assist you save substantially from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
• One of the most regular and frequent cause is that your 2023 Lexus NX 350h gas cap is loose, damaged or missing. The gas cap for your 2023 Lexus NX 350h serves multiple purposes. It prevents perilous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps cultivate pressure within the fuel tank. What results 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 expensive. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't costly. If your check engine light turns on quickly after you put gas in your 2023 Lexus NX 350h, 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.
• Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Lexus NX 350h 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 Lexus NX 350h is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden rapid change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a vital sign of a damaged mass airflow sensor.
• Your 2023 Lexus NX 350h has a vacuum leak. Every Lexus NX 350h has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system still helps lower unhealthy 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, exceptionally if they're exposed to intense heat or extreme cold.
• 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 promptly and your vehicle will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what results 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 2023 Lexus NX 350h's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle's onboard computer to determine the precisely right mixture 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.
• Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your 2023 Lexus NX 350h'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 Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood offers a complimentary multi-point examination with every Lexus service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your 2023 Lexus NX 350h 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 delicate problems from overheating.

How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?

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. Since each check engine code has its own level of severity, it is usually difficult to predict how multiple miles you can be safe in driving with the warning light on. If you check engine light is flashing, we recommend that you pull over and contact Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood to assist determine if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we recommend a tow truck.