Driving with the “Check Engine” light on is hard. If only I hadn’t dusted the dash, I wouldn’t be able to see it glaring at me quite so reproachfully.
I love my car. A lot. It’s a lovely green, 1998 Subaru Imprezza hatchback named The Green Hornet. I bought it in January of 1998 hoping to get 10 years out of it. The Hornet is a great car. It might just happen…
Over the past 9 1/2 years I have maintained it fairly faithfully. The Green Hornet has had regular fresh new tires, clean oil and filters not to mention some cosmetic work when it needed it. I have paid extra for service at the dealer over the years and more recently we became quite loyal to our local Goodyear place despite passing several other totally feasible shops on the way there not to mention the 3 within easy walking distance of the house. The Hornet recently got all new filters and a starter and the tires are pretty new as well.
Before I left for Connecticut last week[1], the dreaded Check Engine light on the dash came on. Since I recently cleaned my car for the first time in years (no hyperbole in this case) so Jon and K could toddle down to D.C., the light was quite clear and bright. I took it to my shop today to get the code read[2]. The code came out as a bad knock sensor.
For the uninitiated, a knock sensor monitors engine vibrations (aka knocking) and aids in engine performance. (And prevents potential engine damage.) The sensor communicates to the onboard computer so that the timing can be adjusted for optimal fuel economy, reduced emissions and best performance.[3]
In short, in order to pass the emissions part of the state inspection, I would need to replace the sensor to the tune of over $300. But wait! I don’t need to pass the emissions test. The advantage to my loyalty to my current shop is that I learned today that the reason my car didn’t require emissions testing last inspection was that I drove it less than 5000 miles between stickers. I’ll be under 5000 again this year unless I get wanderlust and drive 2000 miles between now and the end of September. (Working from home has a lot of advantages… like filling up my gas tank about every 6 weeks.)
So, while one of my goals is to save the planet and I do love my car, I think I’m going to take a pass on replacing the knock sensor at this time. The plastic packaging on the new sensor is more than enough to cancel out any excess emissions my car might have between now and next Spring. This is a hard choice to have made because it means I’m starting to admit it might not be worth it to put more money into my car. This also means I’m now saving up for a new car. Luckily, I’ve already narrowed my choices with years of window shopping. I suspect I will be insufferable when it comes to making a final decision though.[4]
Then again, maybe I can get 11 years out of my wonderful Green Hornet…
[1] Hey! I went up north for work last week! It was exciting, productive and kind of fun in a twisted work-a-holic way. I should go more often. Seriously.
[2] Reason #4520 to move back to New England: my brother has a code reader and could have saved me the charge today. Or I could get my own reader and save everyone down here from having to pay just to find out what the stupid code says.
[3] This all has to do with combustion and pistons and all that yummy engine stuff. I could explain more, but you get the gist.
[4] There will be much waffling and probably tears. You have been warned.
tags: cars, check engine light, imprezza, knock sensors, subaru
