Seeing the check engine light become illuminated when one is in the car can be very stressful. It often raises concerns about the possible costs of repairs and the state of the car overall. If you own a Toyota and have ToyotaCare coverage, you may wonder: does this policy cover check engine light diagnosis? This article aims to explain what ToyotaCare is and what it includes and see if it includes check engine light diagnosis.
What is ToyotaCare
ToyotaCare is the maintenance and roadside assistance program provided upon the purchase of a new Toyota vehicle. It offers peace of mind by covering essential service for a specified time and/or mileage, whichever comes first.
Key Benefits of ToyotaCare:
Maintenance Cover-up
Routine service includes such repairs as engine oil changes, tire rotations, inspections of fluids, and multipoint inspections.
Roadside Assistance
Includes battery jump-start, emergency fuel delivery, or a flat tire change plus towing to the nearest Toyota dealership.
At No Additional Cost
Aa goodwill, ToyotaCare is a complementary function for every new and qualifying Toyota vehicle.
What Does ToyotaCare Cover?
ToyotaCare mainly does follow-up intervals for maintenance work in order to keep your vehicle in good shape. These include:
Changing engine oil and filters
Rotating tires
Conducting vehicle inspections
Adjusting fluid-levels
The service includes maintenance to the car only, thus not really covering mechanical repairs due to failure. It is not a warranty in the conventional sense or an extended service contract.
Does ToyotaCare Cover Check Engine Light Diagnosis?
Simply put, no, the ToyotaCare will not diagnose the check engine light. Now, ToyotaCare does include regular maintenance and roadside assistance, but that does not mean you can call them whenever the check engine light comes on for complimentary diagnosis. Here are the reasons why:
ToyotaCare is basically a maintenance plan
It covers any general service but doesn’t extend to diagnosing or repairing vehicle’s problems.In fact, the coverage of ToyotaCare does not extend beyond regular servicing of a vehicle and roadside assistance.
Check Engine Light Requires Specialized Diagnosis
When the check engine light comes on, be it sensors, minor to major problems in the engine, diagnosis would require special tools and professional expertise.
What Should You Do If Your Check Engine Light Comes On?
When the check engine light comes on, do the following:
Look For A Loose Gas Cap
One of the most common reasons for a check engine light is a loose or missing gas cap. If you just put in gas, tighten the cap and see if it turns off within a few cycles of driving.
Schedule a Diagnostic Test
ToyotaCare does not cover checking engine light diagnosis, so you’ll need to take your car to a trusted mechanic or a Toyota dealership for diagnostic testing. Most dealers charge a fee for such service, whilst some may offer free diagnostic checks as a courtesy.
Use an OBD-II Scanner
If you want to check the issue yourself, you can put an OBD-II scanner that reads the trouble codes stored in your car’s computer. Such codes are clues to the problem, but a professional diagnosis is suggested, anyway.
Alternative Coverage Options
If you want coverage for diagnosis and repair of check-engine light, here is what you need to look into:
The Toyota Factory Warranty
Under the standard Toyota factory warranty, some repairs may be covered if your car is still under that warranty. The basic warranty from Toyota generally goes for 3 years or 36,000 miles; whereas the powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles.
Toyota Extended Warranty (ToyotaCare Plus)
Toyota sells programs such as ToyotaCare Plus, covering such services as diagnostic investigation. Consult your dealership for the plans available.
Third-Party Extended Warranties
Those that fall under third-party extended warranty plan providers like CarShield and Endurance offer the services of diagnostics and repairs for checking engine light issues.
Auto Insurance or Roadside Assistance Plans
Some auto insurance providers and membership services like AAA take care of the diagnostic services and repairs for your engine light.
How Much Does a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Cost?
Since this service is not covered by ToyotaCare, you’ll have to pay the service center for the diagnostic test. Rates differ by location and dealership, but typically expect:
Basic check engine light diagnosis: $50 to $150
Additional labor and repair costs will depend on the issue diagnosed.
Some auto parts shops, such as AutoZone, offer free OBD-II scans. However, these only give error codes and not a full professional diagnosis.
Conclusion
ToyotaCare provides limited coverage in that it only covers scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance services. It does not provide any check engine diagnosis. If the check engine warning light has turned on, you have to conduct a diagnostic check and pay for the service or check if it is still under warranty. If some extra peace of mind is desired, consider some alternate options: extended warranties, or third-party plans.
Though the process of eliminating a check engine light can be hectic and bothersome, timely action will save you more cumbersome and expensive problems down the road. Be sure to seek professional attention so your Toyota is always well taken care of.
