Check engine soon light came on. What does it mean and how do I get rid of it?

This light means that your vehicles' fuel and power management computer system (Electronic Control Unit - ECU) has detected a reading outside of designated parameters for some part of the system located therein...More or less, it means that you have a part (could be fuel, engine, transmisson, etc) that is faulty, and has caused the computer to let you know by illuminating the light and setting a DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) so that emmissions and fuel mileage can be corrected, safety concerns addressed, or possible engine / transmission damage can be avoided thru needed service - this light also accompanies a specific code (DTC) which can be utilized in order to assist you in diagnosing the problem. A code designating a specific part does not always mean that part is bad, only that the readings being sent back to the engine computer (ECU) are out of specification The real trick is in determining whether the failure is within the part itself, or if the part is being caused to exceede or fail to meet required parameters indirectly by another part or for another reason...

Take it to Auto Zone and they will plug in their computer and tell you what's wrong for free.