Is it alright to drive short distances with the engine light on?

If the check engine light comes on while you’re driving, it can be unnerving. The check engine light means there’s a problem somewhere in your emissions system. Regardless, you’re safe to drive for now as long as the car isn’t performing strangely. Just have the check engine light checked and the problem repaired.

How many miles to clear a check engine light?

Drive for 50 to 100 miles (80 to 160 km). Take several individual trips until the system reads the status of all the components once more. “Several trips” means you shut off the engine and start another trip each time. Therefore, it’s not just 100 miles in one trip. It’s more like doing three trips of about 30 miles each.

When does the Check Engine light turn on?

The orange, engine-shaped icon on your car dashboard’s instrument cluster is programmed to turn on when the vehicle’s electronic brain detects something is wrong.

Is it okay to drive with a flashing check engine light?

It’s never recommended to drive with a flashing check engine light. A constant check engine light can be okay to drive with sometimes, but a flashing engine light is most likely a more serious problem that has to be fixed as soon as possible.

What does the service required light on your car mean?

These warning lights are unrelated. The service required light just means the car is due for an oil change or other routine care. It is not an indicator of trouble like the check engine light is.

What to do when your check engine light goes off?

The fastest way to resolve this is to have a Check Engine Light Diagnostic performed to obtain those Codes and start to track down the possibilities. Such a Diagnostic can be done by a certified Mechanic from YourMechanic on a mobile basis. The Codes are downloadable using a scanner and they should indicate at least the general area of the fault.

Is it safe to drive with a check engine light?

It depends on the severity of the issue. If it’s a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be safe to drive. If you notice a difference in the performance of the vehicle, it could be an indication of a more serious problem and it’s best to err on the side of caution. Reduce your speed and take the vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible.

What does it mean when service engine light comes on?

When the light comes on, a code is stored as the reason for triggering the light. When you take your car in to get it checked out, the mechanic hooks up a little diagnostic computer to your vehicle’s computer. They will then get a code and description that tells them what the issue is.

What does a malfunction indicator light on a car mean?

In many cases, it means that you’ll be visiting the car dealer to repair the issue and get the light turned off. The check engine light — more formally known as the malfunction indicator lamp — is a signal from the car’s engine computer that something is wrong.