What should I do if my Kia Sorento's check engine light is on?

I recently purchased a Kia Sorento and the check engine light is on. I'm not sure what to do and I don't want to take it to the dealership yet, as I don't want to spend a lot of money if it's something simple. What steps should I take to troubleshoot this issue?

First, don't panic. The check engine light can come on for a variety of reasons, some less serious than others. The first thing to do is to check the gas cap. Make sure it is secure and tight. A loose gas cap can cause the check engine light to come on. If that doesn't solve the issue, then it's time to get the error code read. Most auto parts stores offer this service for free. Once you have the error code, you can do some research online to determine the possible cause and solution.

My friend had a similar issue with her Kia Sorento and it turned out to be a faulty oxygen sensor. You may want to have that checked as well. It's not a difficult or expensive fix, but it is important to get it taken care of to avoid further issues down the road.

I had the check engine light come on in my Kia Sorento and it ended up being a loose or damaged spark plug. If you are comfortable doing so, you can check the spark plugs yourself or take it to a mechanic. It's not a difficult or expensive fix either.