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The check engine light in your vehicle can cause a lot of panic, but it’s one of the most misunderstood lights on the dash. First, see if your check engine light is blinking or a constant light. Either way you’ll need to figure out the issue. If the light is constantly on, it needs to be checked as soon as possible. If the light is blinking, it’s not as urgent, but you should still get it checked out soon as it may stall while driving. Here are the top 4 items to inspect if your check engine light appears: 1. A loose or faulty gas cap This causes fuel vapors to leak out of your gas tank, which throw’s your vehicle off. Tighten your gas cap or replace it for $5-$10. 2. Worn spark plugs Spark plugs cause a spark to fire which ignites your fuel. It is recommended to replace them every 30,000 miles. These are another easy, low cost fix you can do or take to a repair shop. 3. Faulty catalytic converter A converter is what keeps you safe from dangerous gases. You’ll likely notice a smell, or your vehicle will have fuel issues. This needs to be fixed by a mechanic. 4. Faulty air flow sensor An air flow sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine. When the air and fuel mixture isn't balanced correctly your vehicle decreases in performance, but in ways you can’t always see and feel. This is an easy fix for a mechanic if you request it. Lastly, you can find out the code behind a check engine light by using a code reader(or letting a mechanic use one), and follow a few methods on your own to decode the light. These methods are not the top option because they can be faulty, but if you’re in a pinch and need an answer you can try these options. After checking these small things, be sure to call a local dealership or mechanic to get the best help for your vehicle.

Monken Automotive was started by Harold Monken in 1967. His son, Wes Monken, joined the dealership in 1997. The dealership currently has two second generation employees with Wes Monken and Amy Monken-Brandt and now a third generation employee, Eric Monken. Eric’s parents moved from Hoffman to Georgia where he was born, and shortly after moved back to Hoffman where he grew up on Monken Road near the rest of his family. Since grandpa, Wayne Monken, died at an early age, Harold Monken, Eric’s great uncle, was right down the road and quickly became a grandfather figure in his life. Growing up, on Tuesday mornings Harold and his friends would all drink coffee in his barn, so it was a special occasion for Eric to get to crash these mornings. He also enjoyed going to horse shows and getting ribeye sandwiches at DuQuoin with Harold every year. He’s been getting to know Wes more recently and even mentioned the fun memory of taking Wes to a crawfish boil earlier this year. Wes said it was a lot better than he thought it would be, but for Eric it was fun to see Wes in a different element. Eric currently serves as the Used Car Manager. Although he may have more agriculture experience, Eric grew up changing oil and helping around the dealership, so he’s excited to be back. At work you can find Eric appraising used vehicles and assisting the sales department. When Eric was asked what it meant to be a third generation Monken he said, “The whole Monken family takes that name pretty seriously. I live on Monken Road and we weren’t ever going to move anywhere else. The Monken roots are here and it’s an honor to work here.” Aside from the honor of being a third generation employee, he also really loves working at Monken Automotive because of the people. It’s family owned and they treat everyone as if they’re all one big family. Eric closed by saying, “I’ll be confident that the business will stay in the family and nothing is going to change from the time when Harold started it all.”

Are you shopping for a new vehicle, but have never been on a test drive? Test driving is exciting, but it is easy to forget good questions when deciding if it is the vehicle for you. Here are ten questions to ask yourself and the salesperson during a test drive. 10 questions to ask yourself or to check out during a test drive: Always start by observing your space as the driver. Do you have enough legroom? Is the seat easy to adjust? Does the steering wheel adjust? Check out the cooling system to make sure it is easy to use. If you want separate controls, heated seats, or cooling seats check for those too. As you begin to drive, see how well you can see your surroundings with your mirrors. Do not forget to check the back seat if you typically drive your kids or animals in the vehicle. Think about the sounds of the vehicle. Is it too loud? Do any sounds annoy you? Any sounds of concern? If you like the radio on then try it out. See if you think you will be able to figure out the infotainment system or if it is too much. Pull into a parking lot while you are testing it to see how parking goes. Is it easy to park? If not, do you think it’s something you could get used to? Leave the driver's seat on your preferred settings and move to the seat behind it. See how the space is in each seat as if you were a passenger. Think about what you typically haul around. Will it fit in the trunk? Ex. stroller, car seat, wagon, sports gear, etc. Ask yourself how this vehicle compares to your current vehicle. What do you like or dislike compared to your current vehicle? If you love the vehicle, be sure to ask the salesperson questions like the vehicle's warranty, specials, the longevity of the vehicle, opinions on the different versions, etc.