Check Engine Light

[madjeff22]

On my way home from work today my check engine light came on and stayed on the whole trip home. I also went to my sister's house and it came on again as soon as I started the car. I have 12,000 mile on my Charger, and only 1 oil change. I drive an hour to work and it is all interstate roads. By chance do the car keep track of how many miles you put on the car between oil changes and did the light come on to tell me it is time to change my oil? I was going to have my oil changed tomorrow on my day off anyways. Or should I take it to the dealer to see why the check engine light came on.

[Husker]

1 oil change for 12000 miles.......the CEL light has other meanings that the dealer can help you with...but you might want to read the section in the manual about oil changes..

[NC-SXT]

Way to long for oil change... The light doesnt directly do that but the lack of oil change could cause several other problems. a 30 dollar oil change is just good protection. The light could be something as simple as a loose gas cap. Check it out then go to the dealer or better yet get a free readout from some place like Auto Zone. Most places like that will be glad to help you.

[fatpockets44]

Once in 12,000 miles? That's brutal. You should change your oil every 3 months or every 3,000 miles. And far as your engine light I would take it back to the dealer, but I don't think it has anything to do with the oil. Man you have to take care of you Hemi if you want it to take care of you.

[madjeff22]

I did read the manual and you can go 6000 miles between oil changes. It is time for her second oil change. I put 500 miles on my Charger per week. If I changed the oil every 3000 I would be changing it every other month.

[desquirrel]

The mfg recommended oil change interval is fine, especially for mostly highway driving.

The most freq cause for the cel light coming on is a loose gas cap.
It takes a couple start...run cycles for the light to go out after the trouble is fixed.

[madjeff22]

I filled her up this morning, but didn't notice the cel light on my way to work, I just went out and tightend the gas cap. I see if the light goes out on the way home from my sister's house.

The reason I was asking about the oil change and the cel light, is because my sister's min van keeps track of her oil and tells her when its time to change the oil. I thought maybe our cars were as smart as her Chevy, and was telling me to change the oil. Oh well. Hopfully it's just a loose gas cap.

The code I am getting is: P0404 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Circuit Range/Performance

Anybody know what that means????

[fnkychkn]

I did read the manual and you can go 6000 miles between oil changes. It is time for her second oil change. I put 500 miles on my Charger per week. If I changed the oil every 3000 I would be changing it every other month.

from FSM:

There are two maintenance schedules that show the required service for your vehicle.

First is Schedule “B”. It is for vehicles that are operated under the conditions that are listed below and at the beginning of the schedule. Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter every 60,000 miles (96 000 km) if the vehicle is usually operated under one or more of the conditions marked with an ♦.

• Day or night temperatures are below 32° F (0° C).
• Stop and go driving.
• Extensive engine idling.
• Driving in dusty conditions.
• Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
• More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high speeds during hot weather, above 90° F (32° C).
• Trailer towing.♦
• Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service).♦
• Off-road or desert operation.

NOTE: If ANY of these apply to you then change your engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months, whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the "Maintenance Schedules" section of this manual.

NOTE: IF ANY of these apply to you then flush and replace the engine coolant every 102,000 miles (170,000 km) or 60 months, whichever comes first, and follow schedule B of the "Maintenance Schedules" section of this manual.

NOTE: Most vehicles are operated under the conditions listed for Schedule "B".

Second is Schedule “A". It is for vehicles that are not operated under any of the conditions listed under Schedule "B".

Use the schedule that best describes your driving conditions. Where time and mileage are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.

NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months whichever comes first.

CAUTION: Failure to perform the required maintenance items may result in damage to the vehicle.