Gentlemen ... and Ladies, start your engines. But wait....what if that mysterious CHECK ENGINE light comes on? This has to be the dumbest alert message in the world. The first thing that the dealer or a mechanic will tell you is to tighten the gas cap. I've tightened the gas cap and that's never been the problem. The second bit of advice is just to continue to drive, but keep an eye on the light to see if it goes off or starts flashing red. If it turns red, see your dealer immediately!

Stories persist of Check Engine lights that have been “cleared” and sensors that have been replaced and yet that stupid light miraculously comes back on and refuses to go away. What does “check engine” really mean anyway? Couldn't the car makers be a little more precise and give us some useful information. We already have sensor wipers, parking assist and tire pressure alerts...come on create an informative display!

There is actually a movement underway in Congress to make generic check engine lights illegal. I know that this doesn't rank up there with attaining world peace or Clay Buchholz being able to pitch 200 innings this season, but it's a start. If you think that I am wrong about any of this, please let me know. Otherwise my Facebook and Twitter friends, let us unite and put an end to this nonsense forever!