Dos and Don’ts When Your Check Engine Light Comes On

The check engine light usually lights up or flashes when one of your sensors detects a problem with certain parts of your engine. Here are some dos and don’ts when you’re on the road and you see your check engine light come on.

When the check engine light illuminates, don’t ignore it. Your car may still run fine, and you may not feel anything has changed. However, that doesn’t mean nothing is wrong. For example, if your light has come on simply because you have a bad oxygen sensor, that faulty part could risk damage to your catalytic converter. A catalytic converter costs much more to replace than an oxygen sensor.

Much of the time, you won’t need to pull over immediately if your check engine light comes on. However, if you get additional warning signs, like an oil light indicator or battery signal, you may need to stop driving as soon as possible. Some manufacturers make their check engine lights different colors or have them flash to indicate serious problems. If this is the case with your car, you should heed the warning.

Sometimes, the check engine light comes on for small, easily fixable things. For example, if your gas cap is loose or missing, the light may come on. Pull off the highway and check for small things like a loose gas cap as soon as the light comes on.

If you work on your own car, don’t do any work until you have a proper diagnosis. Many mechanics, and some auto parts shops, will diagnose your car with a hand-held scanner. Newer cars will give a specific code that will tell the mechanic exactly which part or circuit needs repair. This tool gives you more information about the seriousness of your problem.

Many people panic when they see their check engine light come on. However, a check engine light is rarely a life-threatening situation. You should be able to pull over safely within a reasonable time. Just don’t drive your car for too long if your light flashes or shows additional warning signs. The worst that is likely to happen is that you’ll damage expensive parts.

Just because your check engine light isn’t tied to something serious doesn’t mean you can forgo repairing the problem. Some people forgo the repair if the car otherwise runs fine. In addition to the risk of further engine or exhaust damage, however, your car may put out more pollution. If you need an emissions inspection for your vehicle, an active check engine light will immediately cause you to fail the test.

Even if your car is drivable, limit driving it as much as possible until you have it repaired. The more you drive, the more chance a minor issue will become a bigger one. A small problem like a bad spark plug can turn into a more serious exhaust or emission issue down the road. Drive too much, and you could end up with a problem that may leave you inconveniently stranded.