Seaside Auto Repair

🚨 Is It Safe to Drive With the Check Engine Light On? (And When It’s Not Worth the Risk)   You’re cruising along when ding!—that little orange check engine light pops on. Your car still feels fine… so is it okay to keep driving? Short answer? Maybe. But maybe not. At Wayside Garage, we’ve helped hundreds of customers figure out exactly what their check engine light means—and whether it’s safe to drive or time to park it. 🔍 Why Is My Check Engine Light On? Modern cars have sensors that constantly monitor your engine and emissions system. When something isn’t working quite right, the light comes on. Here are some common causes: Loose gas cap – Yep, it really can be that simple ... read more

🔧 What Does the PO430 Code Mean? (And Why Your Check Engine Light Is On) You’re driving along, everything feels fine—and then bam, your check engine light comes on. A quick scan reveals the dreaded PO430 code. Now what? Don’t panic! At Wayside Garage, we see this code all the time, and it doesn’t always mean your catalytic converter needs replacing (but sometimes it does 😬). Let’s break it down. 🔍 What Is Code PO430? PO430: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2) This means your vehicle's computer has detected that the catalytic converter on one side of the engine (Bank 2) isn’t working as efficiently as it should. In simple terms: it’s not cleaning up the exhaust gases properly ... read more