Subaru Repair: Check engine warning light, subaru legacy, auto zone

Question
My mother (in another town) has a 1998 (?) Subaru Legacy Sedan with about 70 k miles, located in FL.  Her "Check engine" warning light came on yesterday and she is all upset.  In my Ford Explorer this simply means the PCV valve needs replacement.  

Is it the same in a Subaru?

Thanks.  

Answer
Hello Tom,

    The check engine light in any vehicle is associtated with the main computer. When the CEL comes on it means that one of the many sensors in the car is telling the computer something is wrong. Whether it be a bad sensor, or just simply saying that there is a reading out of spec. For example, code P0420 - Catalytic Efficiancy below threshold, or P0301 - Cylinder 1 misfire. When ever the CEL comes on you will want to have it scanned. Your local dealer can do this, or I have been told places like auto zone does this for free. Not that I trust them. When the tech scans the computer it will tell what code is there, and usually what is causing the problem. As long as the car is running fine, it should be ok to drive. I hope this helps.

                              Thanks,
                                 Frank