What To Do When Your Check Engine Light Comes On

Don't panic if you see the check engine light come on in your car! It doesn't mean that your car is about to break down. In fact, most of the time it just means that there is a problem with one of the sensors or a similarly minor issue causing the check engine light to come on. The best thing to do is to pull over and check the owner's manual to see what the code means. In this blog post, we will give you 10 tips for what to do when the check engine light comes on, and suggest possible answers for the question "why is my check engine light on?"

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean? Why Did My Check Engine Light Come On?

Before we get into the tips, let's first go over what the check engine light means. The check engine light is a warning that comes on when there is a problem with the car. The light will be accompanied by a code, which is a number that corresponds to the problem. You can find this code in the owner's manual, which will identify the specific problem. While there are other lights for more specific systems of the car, the check engine light is a catchall for other issues that can come up. For instance, if it's the check engine light and not, say, the battery light, you can rule out that it's a battery issue.

Is Your Check Engine Light Blinking/Flashing Or Is It A Steady Light?

The check engine light can be either blinking or a steady light. If it's a blinking check engine light, that means that the problem is urgent and you should pull over and turn the car off. The check engine light flashing is an indicator that the issue could very quickly lead to much bigger problems. If it's a steady check engine light, then you can drive to a safe place and check the owner's manual for the code. This rule of thumb applies for all the other indicator lights on the dash as well, with steady indicating a problem that you can probably drive home on, whereas a blinking light is for more urgent issues.

Should You Pull Over If The Check Engine Light Comes On?

Check your dashboard gauges and lights for indications of low oil pressure or overheating.  If you see any of these, pull over and turn the car off. These are serious problems that need to be addressed immediately. Otherwise, you should be fine to finish your current trip, if it's a short trip, but should still investigate as soon as it's possible to do so.

Does The Check Engine Light Mean My Gas Cap Is Loose?

One of the most common reasons for the check engine light to come on is a loose gas cap. If you're sure that the gas cap is tight, then you can check the owner's manual for the code.

Should I Slow Down If My Check Engine Light Comes On?

If the check engine light comes on and you're driving on the highway, reduce your speed. This will help to prevent the car from overworking itself. If you're towing or carrying a lot of weight, try reducing the load. Your engine might be telling you it's had enough.

Should I Check The Other Lights When Check Engine Light Comes On?

If you're not sure what the code means, you can check other engine lights. These might include the brake light, the airbag light, or the seatbelt light. If you're not sure what to do, you can clear the codes by turning the car off and then back on again. This resets your car's systems so you'll know you're getting a reliable reading of the codes. If a light comes back on, that's a good sign that something is wrong. Check your owner's manual for more information.