Service Engine Soon Light
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: SoCal
Except they are 90+ minutes away. Be nice to figure out then decide.
Elder User
Joined: May 2015
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From: NYC
I use this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005NL...kUL&ref=plSrch
It works great with torque or forscan on an android phone. And it can be used for live data monitoring although it will occasionally drop the connection after a long while.
It works great with torque or forscan on an android phone. And it can be used for live data monitoring although it will occasionally drop the connection after a long while.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
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From: Central Coast of CA
Yup. 
Yes. The way I heard it, the smog shops put pressure on the state because people were going to the parts stores, having their cars scanned, learning what the problem was and then fixing it themselves before going in for their smog check. That, they say, was taking money out of their pockets, so the state did away with the scanners.
I dunno how accurate that is, and it's probably irresponsible for me to even post that, considering I've not once tried to verify the accuracy, but honestly this time, I don't care. Whatever the reason was that got the scanners pulled from the parts stores was a load of hooey, pure and simple.
Stewart
Yes. The way I heard it, the smog shops put pressure on the state because people were going to the parts stores, having their cars scanned, learning what the problem was and then fixing it themselves before going in for their smog check. That, they say, was taking money out of their pockets, so the state did away with the scanners.
I dunno how accurate that is, and it's probably irresponsible for me to even post that, considering I've not once tried to verify the accuracy, but honestly this time, I don't care. Whatever the reason was that got the scanners pulled from the parts stores was a load of hooey, pure and simple.
Stewart
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: SoCal
So my brief conversation on phone with Ford today, tech guy said it was probably just emissions related and still totally safe to drive.
Is that the general consensus of the service Engine light?
Is that the general consensus of the service Engine light?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,812
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From: Thousand Oaks, CA
The scanners allow looking at the real time data. Sometimes codes do not get set until the real time data reaches a specific threshold for setting a code.
For example, you can feel a cylinder misfiring at idle. The code for a specific cylinder misfiring may not be set, but the real time data will show misfires on specific cylinders. The car's computer programs are all different, but generally a misfiring cylinder code will not be set for just one misfire. My Exped was misfiring for months, especially after it rained. It didn't set a code until the misfiring was really bad and I was able to finally tell which COP had a bad boot. A scanner looking at the data would have showed which cylinder right away. I then would not have had to replace my clogged catalytic converters.
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Lead Driver
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From: In the field...
Yes. The way I heard it, the smog shops put pressure on the state because people were going to the parts stores, having their cars scanned, learning what the problem was and then fixing it themselves before going in for their smog check. That, they say, was taking money out of their pockets, so the state did away with the scanners.
Stewart
Stewart
Wow.
It isn't taking money out of their pockets because it isn't their money to begin with (not trying to impugn the moderator).
If I choose to do the work myself it is my choice, if I choose to allow someone else to do the work and pay them for it, it is also my choice.
When business gets government to legislate a service into or out of existence it is simply FASCISM.
/Mic drop leaving soap box...
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,760
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
This forum isn't big enough to handle the list, leave that for a different section of the forum. 
In an event, auto parts stores in the state of California are prohibited by the state, whether by legislation or regulation, from offering that service. The OP's profile says she's in California. That removes this option from consideration. Move on, move forward.
Most chain auto parts store and even Walmart stores, carry a basic scan tool for under $100 if you're in a hurry. If one is not, eBay is rife with adapters that allow one to use a smartphone or tablet to read and interact with the vehicle's system for under $20.
Getting back on topic.
If the engine is running normally and there are no discernible performance or driveability issues, the most probable cause for the MIL is going to be emissions-related. I wouldn't stress much about it and would simply get it scanned as soon as possible. The addition of the oil to the engine is 99.9% irrelevant to the MIL.
In an event, auto parts stores in the state of California are prohibited by the state, whether by legislation or regulation, from offering that service. The OP's profile says she's in California. That removes this option from consideration. Move on, move forward.
Most chain auto parts store and even Walmart stores, carry a basic scan tool for under $100 if you're in a hurry. If one is not, eBay is rife with adapters that allow one to use a smartphone or tablet to read and interact with the vehicle's system for under $20.
Getting back on topic.
If the engine is running normally and there are no discernible performance or driveability issues, the most probable cause for the MIL is going to be emissions-related. I wouldn't stress much about it and would simply get it scanned as soon as possible. The addition of the oil to the engine is 99.9% irrelevant to the MIL.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
I don't wanna go off on a tangent and be forced to infract myself for talking politics outside of the All Things Political forum.
Stewart
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: SoCal
Service Engine Soon Light
Called an Autozone to confirm and it's true...BUT...They said Pep Boys started it.
We filled up with remote mountain gas station gas on our way home from last camping trip recently. Wondering if that could have anything to do with it. My husband has a friend with a scan tool. Going to run it tonight or tomorrow. Then we will take Ex to Ford where we bought it to get any needed repairs. Warranty runs out end of this month so don't have time to go through a few tanks of gas to see if it resolves itself.
We filled up with remote mountain gas station gas on our way home from last camping trip recently. Wondering if that could have anything to do with it. My husband has a friend with a scan tool. Going to run it tonight or tomorrow. Then we will take Ex to Ford where we bought it to get any needed repairs. Warranty runs out end of this month so don't have time to go through a few tanks of gas to see if it resolves itself.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,760
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
If you filled up at a high altitude station, you likely got 85 or so octane fuel. If you then returned to lower elevations and were still running that fuel, the system might not yet have fully adapted to the changes with the low octane fuel.
In any event, be sure you get the fault code(s), they're in the form of Pxxxx where xxxx is a four digit number. Also, have the friend pull the freeze frame data and be sure to write all that down also.
A "powertrain warranty" may or may not cover emissions-related issues should that turn out to be the case, you'll need to read the specifics of the contract.
In any event, be sure you get the fault code(s), they're in the form of Pxxxx where xxxx is a four digit number. Also, have the friend pull the freeze frame data and be sure to write all that down also.
A "powertrain warranty" may or may not cover emissions-related issues should that turn out to be the case, you'll need to read the specifics of the contract.