On the way home tonight my Check Engine Light came on and it kind of caught me off guard. I haven't done any modifications to the engine (not even a CAI), so it's not headers or anything causing the problem. I recently changed the oil (switched over to Mobil 10w-30), and the car has no problems. I checked the fluids when I got home and everything looked good except for the washer fluid. Is it possible to throw a CEL for low fluid, even washer fluid? I'm going to check the oil level tomorrow morning before work, but until then I'm left scratching my head. I hope it's something I can fix on my own, because the dealership I would have to go to is far, and I can rarely get time off from work.

 

The washer fluid shouldn't throw off the CEL. And switching oil shouldn't throw off the CEL also. I would either bring it back to the dealer or just get a code reader of it.

 

Swing by an auto parts place. They often run codes for free so you can at least get an idea.

 

I don't know if the tC is affected by this or not... but I'd try removing the gas cap and tightening it back up and make sure it clicks 4 or 5 times.

Other than that you're going to have to get the code read and go from there.

 

10w30 is much to thick at startup. This may have caused excess pressure in the engine, throwing a code.

Stick w/ a 5wxx or 0wxx.

 

Well it's definitely not the gas cap. I still haven't gotten myself some washer fluid, but I highly doubt that is the issue. I'm just going to have my uncle read the code for me, so at least I can narrow it down. Just a pain in the ___ going through the dealer, but it may end up coming to that.