Who we are
Check Engine Light (the "Site," "we," "us," or "our") is operated from the United States. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information when you visit cel.guide.
By using this Site, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this Policy. If you do not agree with any part of this Policy, please do not use the Site.
What data we collect
We collect two general categories of data: information you provide to us directly, and information collected automatically when you visit the Site.
Information you provide
| Type | When we collect it |
|---|---|
| Email address | When you contact us through the Contact form |
| Name (optional) | When you include it in a contact message |
| Message content | When you submit a question or feedback |
Information collected automatically
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| IP address | Security, spam prevention, approximate geolocation |
| Browser type & version | Compatibility, bug fixing |
| Device type | Responsive design improvements |
| Pages viewed | Understanding which content is useful |
| Time on page | Content quality measurement |
| Referring URL | Understanding traffic sources |
| Search queries (on-site) | Improving our content |
How we use your data
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- Operating the Site: Delivering pages, loading resources, and ensuring the Site functions properly across devices and browsers.
- Improving content: Understanding which articles people find useful so we can improve existing content and prioritize what to write next.
- Responding to inquiries: Replying to questions, feedback, or requests you send through our contact form.
- Security: Detecting and preventing fraud, abuse, or unauthorized access to the Site.
- Legal compliance: Complying with applicable laws, regulations, and legal process.
We do not use your data for automated decision-making that would have legal or similarly significant effects on you.
Cookies & tracking technologies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. We use a minimal set of cookies for essential functionality and analytics.
Cookies we use
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics — distinguishes users anonymously | 2 years |
| _ga_* | Google Analytics 4 — session state | 2 years |
| cel_consent | Remembers your cookie consent preferences | 1 year |
How to control cookies
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- Delete existing cookies
- Block all cookies
- Block third-party cookies only
- Clear cookies when you close the browser
Blocking essential cookies may affect site functionality. Blocking analytics cookies will not affect your browsing experience.
Third-party services
We use a small number of third-party services to run the Site. Each has its own privacy policy covering how they handle data.
| Service | Purpose | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | Anonymous usage statistics | Link |
| Google Fonts | Typography (Geist, Instrument Serif) | Link |
| Cloudflare | CDN, DDoS protection, site speed | Link |
| Netlify / hosting | Web hosting infrastructure | Link |
When we share data
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share data only in these limited circumstances:
- Service providers: With the third-party services listed in § 05, solely for the purposes listed there.
- Legal requirements: When required by valid legal process (subpoena, court order, law enforcement request). We will notify you unless prohibited from doing so.
- Protection of rights: To protect the rights, property, or safety of Check Engine Light, our users, or the public.
- Business transfer: In the unlikely event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, information may be transferred. We will notify users in advance if this happens.
How long we keep data
| Data type | Retention period |
|---|---|
| Contact form messages | 2 years after last interaction |
| Analytics data | 14 months (Google Analytics default) |
| Server logs | 90 days |
| Security logs | 1 year |
Data is deleted or anonymized after the retention period, except where we are legally required to retain it longer.
How we protect your data
We use industry-standard measures to protect information in our care:
- HTTPS/TLS encryption for all data transmitted between your browser and our servers
- Access controls limiting who can view contact form submissions and logs
- Regular security audits of our hosting infrastructure
- No storage of sensitive data — we do not handle payment information or government IDs
No method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, but we work to protect your information using reasonable measures.
Your privacy rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Right to access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Right to correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal data.
- Right to delete: Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal retention requirements.
- Right to object: Object to specific uses of your personal data.
- Right to portability: Request a machine-readable copy of your data.
- Right to withdraw consent: Withdraw previously given consent at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@cel.guide. We will respond within 30 days.
GDPR rights (EU & UK residents)
If you are in the European Union, European Economic Area, or United Kingdom, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK GDPR.
Legal basis for processing
We process your personal data under the following legal bases:
- Consent: For analytics cookies, when you accept them through our consent banner
- Legitimate interest: For security logs, spam prevention, and basic site operation
- Contract: For responding to inquiries you submit through our forms
- Legal obligation: For retaining certain records required by law
Additional GDPR rights
In addition to the rights listed in § 09, you have:
- The right to lodge a complaint with your national data protection authority
- The right to information about automated decision-making (we do not engage in this)
- The right to restrict processing of your data under certain circumstances
Data Protection Officer: For GDPR-specific requests, contact dpo@cel.guide.
CCPA rights (California residents)
If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) grant you specific rights regarding your personal information.
Your rights under CCPA
- Right to know what personal information we collect, use, and share
- Right to delete personal information we have collected
- Right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
- Right to correct inaccurate personal information
- Right to limit use of sensitive personal information (we do not collect sensitive personal information)
- Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights
To exercise CCPA rights, contact us at privacy@cel.guide. We will verify your identity before processing the request.
Children's privacy
Check Engine Light is intended for users 13 years and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 (under 16 for EU residents, in compliance with GDPR).
If you believe we have collected information from a child under these age limits, please contact us at privacy@cel.guide and we will delete the information promptly.
International data transfers
Check Engine Light is operated from the United States. If you visit the Site from outside the US, your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate.
For users in the EU/UK, we rely on Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission for transfers to third countries. Our primary service providers (Google, Cloudflare) have certified their compliance with applicable data transfer frameworks.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will:
- Update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page
- Post a notice on the Site homepage for at least 30 days
- For significant changes, notify users who have contacted us by email
Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.
Contact us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, your data, or how we handle privacy matters, please reach out:
Privacy inquiries
For general privacy questions, data access requests, and rights under GDPR, CCPA, or other laws:
Data Protection Officer (EU/UK)
For formal GDPR requests and EU-specific inquiries:
General contact
For all other questions, use our contact form.