As I was driving home last night from work, I looked down and the check engine light was on. I pulled over into a shopping center and got out the manual. One thing that I thought was strange was the it says that in some states it is a law that you have to call for service if the check engine light comes on.
A bit of background: I live in Virginia and work in Maryland and travel about 35 miles one way. I bought the car in Tysons Corner, Va 7 days ago.
So, I called the dealership that I bought the car from and left messages. It was around 6:30pm. I then called the 1800smartcar for roadside assistance and the gentleman got some information and connected me to another dealership that was real close to me in Germantown, MD. He said as long as there wasn't any real shaking or the light was flashing it would be OK to drive to the dealership.
He did ask about the gas cap and if I had filled up recently. I did fill up on Monday and had driven about 100 miles before the light came on. I tighted the cap while the gentleman was on the phone but it made no difference with the light.
When I got to the dealship the sales guy opened and closed the gas cap and could not see anything wrong with the car. He said this was the third time he has seen a check engine light. Of course, at this late time there wasn't anyone in the shop and with the smart cars they do not offer loaner cars like they do with Mercedes. So, I drove it home and back and did not feel any different. The mechanic spent about an hour on it. He cleared the light and said it was a purge sensor and had to do with the fuel. He said since these are so new he could do a proper diagnostic and did do a visual inspection of the fuel lines which looked fine. So, I drove it to work with no problem. I am curious if this will effect my gas milage...
A bit of background: I live in Virginia and work in Maryland and travel about 35 miles one way. I bought the car in Tysons Corner, Va 7 days ago.
So, I called the dealership that I bought the car from and left messages. It was around 6:30pm. I then called the 1800smartcar for roadside assistance and the gentleman got some information and connected me to another dealership that was real close to me in Germantown, MD. He said as long as there wasn't any real shaking or the light was flashing it would be OK to drive to the dealership.
He did ask about the gas cap and if I had filled up recently. I did fill up on Monday and had driven about 100 miles before the light came on. I tighted the cap while the gentleman was on the phone but it made no difference with the light.
When I got to the dealship the sales guy opened and closed the gas cap and could not see anything wrong with the car. He said this was the third time he has seen a check engine light. Of course, at this late time there wasn't anyone in the shop and with the smart cars they do not offer loaner cars like they do with Mercedes. So, I drove it home and back and did not feel any different. The mechanic spent about an hour on it. He cleared the light and said it was a purge sensor and had to do with the fuel. He said since these are so new he could do a proper diagnostic and did do a visual inspection of the fuel lines which looked fine. So, I drove it to work with no problem. I am curious if this will effect my gas milage...
