Can you drive a car with the engine light on? It's okay to drive for a few miles, but be sure to schedule an inspection of the engine as soon as possible. If the check engine light comes on while you're driving, don't panic! ... Just be sure to have your car inspected as soon as possible after the light turns on.

Can I still drive my car if the check engine light is on?

If the check engine light comes on while you're driving, it can be unnerving. Don't panic, though. ... 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.

What could cause the check engine light to come on?

Spark Plugs

Finally, worn spark plugs or plug wires will result in a check engine warning. Just about anything wrong with your vehicle's ignition system will likely cause your check engine light to come on. ... Stalls are another indicator of spark plug trouble.

Should I be worried if my check engine light is on?

Both a solid and flashing engine check light indicates that a problem has been detected. However, a flashing engine check light indicates that it is a serious problem that requires your immediate attention. If you see a flashing light, it's best to contact a mechanic as soon as possible to prevent serious damage.

How long can you ignore check engine light?

The dreaded check engine light. Now, it wasn't flashing, which I knew meant the problem was urgent. But how bad was the news going to be? A new study found that the average person will wait 9 days after seeing that light pop on before taking their vehicle in to see what is wrong.

Is it Safe to Drive With the Check Engine Light On?

23 related questions found

How far can you drive with engine light?

When the check engine light is solid, you can typically drive the car for hundreds of miles without an issue. Of course, that depends on which code is stored in the vehicle's computer. If an engine sensor is faulty, the car will usually use made up sensor values to keep running.

How serious is check engine light?

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. ... If the light begins flashing, however, it indicates a more serious problem, such as a misfire that can quickly overheat the catalytic converter.

What does a solid check engine light mean?

A solid Check Engine Light can mean something like a loose gas cap, or it can indicate a more in-depth problem like a fuel, timing, or transmission issue. Get your car diagnosed, although the urgency isn't the same as if the light was flashing at you.

How do I turn the engine light off?

The simplest most straightforward way to get rid of the check engine light is to drive it for a little bit, and the light will turn off by itself. Once you drove your car for a couple of days (e.g., usually three days), the check engine light should be gone.

Can I ignore a check engine light?

The light is an indicator that there's something wrong with your vehicle. ... “The system is telling you that something has failed and will immediately cause damage to your vehicle that will be costly to repair.” Ignoring your check engine light could result in immediate car problems or deterioration over time.

What does yellow check engine light mean?

Look for a serious problem that requires immediate attention. Check your dashboard gauges and lights for indications of low oil pressure or overheating. ... On some cars, a yellow check engine light means investigate the problem and a red one means stop right now. Try tightening your gas cap.

Will a check engine light reset itself?

Your vehicle's check engine light will will reset by itself once the issue or problem has been repaired; this is true for most models. ... If you are certain that you have resolved the issue that caused your check engine light to come on in the first place, then the light should reset itself after at least 20 cycles.

Why is my engine light on and car shaking?

In general, if the check engine light is flashing and the car is shaking then there is a problem with one or more engine components. The problem could lie with the fuel supply, or a faulty ignition coil, bad spark plugs, or a bad engine sensor.

How long can you drive with oil light?

Generally speaking, you have about 2 weeks or 500 miles of driving before a flashing oil light turns into a legitimate problem. But once it hits that point, things can go downhill fast, leading to serious mechanical damage. So, try to get your vehicle into a mechanic sooner rather than later.

How long can I drive with the gas light on?

Since most current vehicles have greater fuel efficiency than their predecessors, the Low Fuel light isn't necessarily a death sentence for your drive. In fact, you can still drive anywhere between 30 and 50 miles (at the absolute furthest) in order to find the nearest gas station.

Why is my engine light on but nothing seems wrong?

Normally, the appearance of a check engine light indicates a problem somewhere in your vehicle, but nothing seems amiss. ... The problem can even be as simple as forgetting to tighten your gas cap – in fact, this is the most common reason why check engine lights appear in the first place.

How much does a check engine light diagnosis cost?

On average, the fee to have an auto mechanic diagnose a check engine light is $100.

Is the check engine light a big problem?

A check engine light can indicate any number of issues: It could be a very minor problem, such as a loose gas cap. ... If the check engine light is flashing, you have a major problem, and you need to stop driving the vehicle as soon as possible.

Does engine light mean oil change?

Your Car Needs an Oil Change

An illuminated check engine light is the first warning sign that your vehicle needs an oil change. ... If it's dark, black in color, or too low, schedule an oil change today.

Will engine light come on if spark plugs are bad?

Worn/failed spark plugs, coil packs, or spark plug wires can trigger your check engine light to come on. ... Symptoms of misfiring spark plugs include rough idling, uneven power when accelerating, and an increase in exhaust emissions.

Can bad fuel cause check engine light?

Fill up your gas tank with gas at a different gas station. Sometimes a tank of bad gas can cause a "check engine" light to come on. If your indicator light is caused by bad gas, it will shut itself back off after you run a tank or two of good gas through the car.

How long does it take for engine light to come on?

The main answer is that after you clear the car's internal computer, the engine control unit, you will need to continue driving for around 50-100 miles to determine the answer to how long does it take for the check engine light to come back on after reset.

What happens if you dont change your oil?

Go long enough without an oil change, and it could eventually cost you your car. Once motor oil becomes sludge, it no longer draws heat from the engine. The engine might overheat and either blow a gasket or seize up. ... If the heat doesn't cause a gasket to blow, it will warp the parts in your engine.

Does Oreillys Auto Parts check engine light?

Check Engine Light Testing - Free

O'Reilly Auto Parts offers free check engine light testing to help you diagnose the problem. Most of our stores can loan you a code reader for OBD 1&2 systems for vehicles from 1996 and up, except in areas where it is prohibited by law.