Can I drive with orange engine light on?

Can You Drive a Car with the Engine Light on?

If the check engine light comes on while you’re driving, don’t panic! Pay attention and see if the car is driving any differently than normal. You may be wondering, “Can you drive a car with the engine light on?” Whether or not it’s safe to keep driving with the check engine light on depends on vehicle performance and the root cause of its illumination. Just be sure to have your car inspected as soon as possible after the light turns on. Don’t neglect needed engine repair!

If nothing seems out of the ordinary, you can continue driving the car. The cause could be anything from a faulty oxygen sensor to a bad MAF sensor. It could also mean your catalytic converter has failed and quit working.

Here are three steps to help you determine whether it’s safe to continue driving or if you need to stop immediately:

What else is wrong? — In addition to the check engine light, your dashboard may also indicate low oil pressure or overheating issues. If these lights come on, pull over and shut off the engine as soon as you can. Some cars may have a red check engine light to alert you to stop right away, while a yellow light stands for investigation.
Take it easy! — If performance problems accompany the check engine light, lower your speed and take it easy on the engine. Avoid speed surges and erratic shifting. If you’re towing a trailer or carrying heavy equipment, try to unload as soon as you can to prevent a potentially costly engine repair.
Tighten the cap! — If the light comes on after refueling, check that the gas cap is tight. The sensor is detecting a leak in the evaporative emissions system. It may take several restarts of the engine to reset the light.

The check engine light is tied into your car’s onboard diagnostics system, and it’s designed to light up (usually in yellow) whenever something goes wrong with any of the components and sensors. Problems in the electronic control system are stored in a “trouble code” to identify the source of the issue. With the use of a diagnostic computer, your mechanic can pinpoint the problem and take care of any necessary adjustments or repairs.

Wondering can you drive a car with the engine light on? Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Auto & Fleet Mechanic for more information about engine repair and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in Modesto, CA, and the surrounding area.

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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.

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Here are three steps to help you determine whether it’s safe to continue driving or if you need to stop immediately:

What else is wrong? — In addition to the check engine light, your dashboard may also indicate low oil pressure or overheating issues. If these lights come on, pull over and shut off the engine as soon as you can. Some cars may have a red check engine light to alert you to stop right away, while a yellow light stands for investigation.
Take it easy! — If performance problems accompany the check engine light, lower your speed and take it easy on the engine. Avoid speed surges and erratic shifting. If you’re towing a trailer or carrying heavy equipment, try to unload as soon as you can to prevent a potentially costly engine repair.
Tighten the cap! — If the light comes on after refueling, check that the gas cap is tight. The sensor is detecting a leak in the evaporative emissions system. It may take several restarts of the engine to reset the light.

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What to Do When the Engine Warning Light Is On

If you drive a gas-powered vehicle, you are already familiar with the check engine warning light. This signal can create a mix of emotions for different drivers.

For instance, you may wonder what is wrong with your car or truck that you parked without a problem when the engine light turns on after ignition. A more frightening case is when the engine warning light turns on while you’re behind the wheel.

Well, the check engine light is part of the onboard diagnostic system of your car and is designed to protect the vehicle from damage and for your safety. The light is usually depicted by an engine symbol, and for most vehicles, there may be words on the side, such as «check», «check engine», «check powertrain», etc.

All of them mean the same; there is something wrong with the powertrain, not necessarily a serious issue, but one that needs your attention.

What Does Check Engine Light Mean?

Typically, when starting up your vehicle, several lights on your dashboard, including the engine light, will turn on. However, most of them should go off after a few seconds. If the check engine light doesn’t turn off or starts to flash, it shows a problem with your vehicle’s powertrain.

The light is often yellow, orange, or red. A continuous yellow light may indicate the problem is not a serious one. On the flip side, a flashing yellow light or, in some cars, a consistent orange/red light instead of yellow may indicate severe errors within your powertrain.

Common Causes of Engine Warning Light Turning On

To be sincere, you cannot tell the cause right away after the light activates. However, there are a few explanations why the warning light is on:

1. Loose gas cap

If your engine warning light turns on not long after refilling, the gas cap might be the culprit. The cap is meant to create a vacuum, and if, for any reason, the air is penetrating through it, the light will come on.

2. Transmission issue

The transmission module is responsible for conveying the engine power to the wheels to make the car navigate. If the car’s computer detects a problem within the transmission, it lights the engine warning light.

3. Problem with emission

Modern cars have improved technology to reduce harmful emissions to the environment. One issue may be with the catalytic converter. As part of the exhaust system, the converter controls the amount of pollutants allowed to come out of the exhaust.

Therefore, if the sensors detect unsafe levels of harmful gases, the control will turn the check engine light on. The failure of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) may also turn the warning light on.

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4. Little or excess air/fuel in the combustion chamber

For your car’s engine to function optimally, it must receive the correct amount of gas and air. If either of the supplies is low or high, the control system will trigger the check engine light.

5. Ignition system failure

If there is an issue with the spark plugs, coil packs, or any other ignition component, the car’s inbuilt computer will signal the problem by turning the check engine light on.

What Should You Do When the Engine Warning Light is On?

It’s absolutely normal for the engine light to turn on when starting the vehicle, and it should go off after a few seconds. Otherwise, if the light stays or turns on when you’re on the road, you can do the following:

Check the fuel cap and tighten it if it is loose. If the light goes away after this, you’re good to go.
If the light is a consistent yellow, the problem may not be serious, but you need to schedule a car or truck service as soon as possible.
If the light turns on and off intermittently, or its color is orange/red instead of yellow, there may be a severe problem. If you’re on the road, smoothly slow down, pull over, and call a professional auto repair

No check engine light should be ignored. As a rule of thumb, first, monitor the car’s performance when the check engine light turns on. If you can’t detect anything wrong, cautiously drive the vehicle to the next service station. However, if there are any unfamiliar sounds or performance issues, stop driving as soon and call for service.

Effortlessly Manage and Service Your Fleet

Keeping all your vehicles in good shape can easily be an overwhelming and time-consuming task. Instead, you should focus on what you know best and leave this division of your business to experts.

When you choose Wilmar, you choose over 40 years of experience in fleet management and servicing. Talk to us today to learn how you can get started.

7 Possible Reasons Why Your Check Engine Light is On

It’s one of the most dreaded sights for any car owner: the check engine light. It can be a source of anxiety and confusion, particularly if you’re not familiar with the inner workings of your vehicle. The check engine light is a notification that something is wrong with your car. It could be a minor issue or something more serious, but it’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible. In this blog article, we’ll discuss 7 possible reasons why your check engine light may be on and how to diagnose the issue.

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First off, what is a check engine light?

The check engine light, also known as a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL), is an indicator that something is wrong with your vehicle. It’s typically a yellow or orange light that illuminates on the dashboard when your car’s engine computer detects an issue with one of the components. The check engine light is designed to alert the driver to potential issues so that they can be addressed before they become more serious.

Possible Reasons Why Your Check Engine Light is On

There are a variety of reasons why your check engine light may be on. Some of the most common causes include a faulty oxygen sensor, a loose gas cap, catalytic converter issues, ignition coil failure, spark plug problems, and mass air flow sensor issues. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.

Faulty Oxygen Sensor

One of the most common reasons why your check engine light is on is due to a faulty oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor is a component that measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust system. It helps the engine computer to determine the correct fuel-air mixture to ensure that the engine is running efficiently. If the oxygen sensor is not working properly, it can cause the check engine light to come on.

A faulty oxygen sensor can cause a variety of issues, such as poor fuel economy, increased emissions, and engine misfires. It’s important to get the oxygen sensor replaced as soon as possible to avoid any further damage to the engine.

Loose Gas Cap

Another common reason for the check engine light to come on is a loose gas cap. The gas cap is designed to keep gas in the tank and prevent it from evaporating. If the gas cap is not tightly sealed, it can cause a leak which can trigger the check engine light.

If your check engine light is on and you recently filled up your tank, it’s a good idea to check the gas cap to make sure it’s tight. You can also try replacing the gas cap to see if that resolves the issue.

Catalytic Converter Issues

The catalytic converter is an important component in the exhaust system. It’s responsible for converting harmful pollutants into less harmful compounds before they are released into the atmosphere. If the catalytic converter is not working properly, it can cause the check engine light to come on.

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A faulty catalytic converter can cause a variety of issues, such as decreased engine performance, increased emissions, and poor fuel economy. It’s important to get the catalytic converter replaced as soon as possible to avoid any further damage to the engine.

Ignition Coil Failure

The ignition coil is responsible for converting the energy from the battery into a high voltage spark that is used to ignite the fuel. If the ignition coil is not working properly, it can cause the check engine light to come on.

A faulty ignition coil can cause a variety of issues, such as engine misfires, poor engine performance, and decreased fuel economy. It’s important to get the ignition coil replaced as soon as possible to avoid any further damage to the engine.

Spark Plug Problems

The spark plug is responsible for delivering the spark that ignites the fuel in the combustion chamber. If the spark plug is not working properly, it can cause the check engine light to come on.

A faulty spark plug can cause a variety of issues, such as engine misfires, rough idling, and poor fuel economy. It’s important to get the spark plug replaced as soon as possible to avoid any further damage to the engine.

Mass Airflow Sensor Issues

The mass airflow sensor is responsible for measuring the amount of air entering the engine. It’s used to help the engine computer determine the correct fuel-air mixture. If the mass airflow sensor is not working properly, it can cause the check engine light to come on.

A faulty mass airflow sensor can cause a variety of issues, such as poor fuel economy, engine misfires, and increased emissions. It’s important to get the mass airflow sensor replaced as soon as possible to avoid any further damage to the engine.

Get your check engine light diagnosed by ServiceUp

If your check engine light is on, it’s important to determine the cause so that you can take the appropriate action. It could be something minor like a loose gas cap, or something more serious like a faulty oxygen sensor. Either way, it’s important to take the time to diagnose the problem and get it fixed. If you’re not sure what the issue is, contact ServiceUp to get your car diagnosed quickly. We’ll provide you with an estimate only for the repairs you need and get you back on the road before you know it.