the other day when I started my car (first start of the day) the engine check light came on. I suspect it has something to do with the gas cap cause the previous day I had my inspection done and it wouldn't pass due to the gas cap. I then bought a new one (not from honda) in order to pass the inspection. maybe it wasn't the right gas cap. I went to my Honda dealership and now bought the right cap for my Honda Civic Si 2007. I would like to know if there is a way to clear the light on my own or do I need to bring it to a dealer? disconnect the battery maybe?
any helpful info is appreciated

 

1: disconnect neg on battery for 2-3 min
2: stop at autozone and they can do it for free(they hook up the obd2 scanner)

 

thanks for your advice.

 

yeah, never pay the dealer to clear codes or even for that matter to read them unless these auto parts stores cannot it. some codes are dealer only.

 

With a car that new, not unless your over the mileage, on smog related stuff should be under warranty. Check your owner/warranty manual or call the dealer for details.

 

Autozone no longer clears codes. All they will do is tell you what codes there are, but WILL NOT clear them.

 

they do here........ must be a WI, thing

 

I know that IL and CA autozone's don't clear codes either..

 

If your CEL is still on with the new gas cap, there is probably some other problem. The CEL should go out after driving the car with the problem resolved. The code may still exist but the CEL should be out. Like gwl said, there is a better warranty on most things that will turn the CEL on, that may exceed the 3/36 warranty on the car in general.

After you disconnect the battery or otherwise clear the codes, do not go directly back to the smog check station. For a while after codes have been cleared, a "not ready" code is set which will cause the car to fail. Driving the car and having no codes occur is the only way to clear the "not ready" code. A couple of trips to the store or work should be enough to get the not ready code out and then if the CEL is not on you should pass.

Disconnecting the battery will cause some factory radios to lock out and become inoperable until a security code is entered. Read the owner's manual about the radio and make sure you know your radio security code before disconnecting the battery.

 

thanks everybody for your advise. the light is still on and I'm planning on going to the dealer and see if it is warranty since the car has only 30'000 miles and is 2007.