You have to be brave

This is one of a series titled
Out & About with Jim Frimmer, your Realtor in Mission Valley.
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You have to be brave

I needed to get my car registered for this year but the engine light was on.

Knowing that smog stations will not even start the smog test if the engine light is on, I took the car to my local auto mechanic to see what was wrong.

After listening to the car for weird engine noises, he told me that most engine lights indicate excessive particles (smog) coming through the exhaust system, usually because of a failed, or failing, catalytic converter. His suggestion was to run a tank of high-octane gas through the engine, and if the engine light went off, that would indicate a catalytic converter problem. Or....

He would run the car through diagnostics but it would be about four hours and cost $89.

I asked him if a failing catalytic converter could damage the engine. "Not really, but anytime the engine light comes on, you have to be brave in deciding how far to drive with it on."

So, after getting a quote on a catalytic converter — $1,400 installed! — I filled the tank with Chevron high-octane gas, which cost $77.00 and only took about ten minutes.

Fifty-six miles later and the engine light is off!

So, I can now get the car through the smog test but I'll still have to budget $1,400 for a new catalytic converter.

Lesson: If your engine light comes on, and you've been running cheap gas in your car (don't we all), try a tank of high-octane gas to see if the light goes off. If it does, catalytic converter problem probably and you can go online to see how much you are going to be spending for a new one. My catalytic converter is on order since they don't normally stock them.

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If you're looking for a great real estate agent in San Diego, well,
let me Google one for you.

I'm available 24/7, so feel free to contact me by phone or email.

Jim Frimmer, Realtor
Century 21 Award Mission Valley
California DRE License #01458572
619-729-5701
jimfrimmer@century21award.com
Mission Valley Condos Information

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Try Russel Ray Photos for inexpensive, royalty-free photos.

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