Is it safe to drive with check engine light on?

Is it safe to drive with check engine light on?

The rule of thumb is that if the check engine light is flashing, you can’t keep driving the car. It’s an emergency. Often it indicates an engine misfire. If you keep driving, you will likely cause irreversible damage, mostly to the (expensive) catalytic converter.

Where can I take my car when the check engine light is on?

Bring your car to an auto parts store and have the code read for free. The free check engine light diagnosis is good because if the code turns out to be for something minor, you might even be able to fix it yourself. 3. Buy an inexpensive scanner and read the code yourself.

Can AutoZone clear a check engine light?

Does AutoZone Scan Check Engine Lights? AutoZone does. If your light is on, and you are wondering why, head down to your local AutoZone where one of our store associates can help diagnose the issue through our free Fix Finder service.

Why does my Check Engine Light never come on?

If the “Check engine” light does not come with the ignition ON, it’s possible that there is no power coming to the engine computer (e.g. due to a broken wire, faulty main relay, blown fuse, etc.) or that there is a problem with the engine computer itself.

Why would a check engine light go off by itself?

Occasionally, the check engine light comes on when nothing is wrong with the car, said Steve Mazor, chief automotive engineer for the Auto Club of Southern California. It could be a temporary problem caused by a change in humidity or other factors. In such cases, the light should go off by itself after a short time.

What does it mean if the Check Engine Light is flashing?

A flashing check engine light means that the problem occurs at the moment and it’s most likely a more serious problem like a misfire. It’s not recommended to drive with the check engine light flashing or ON. The problem is most likely a misfire, combustion or a faulty engine sensor problem.

Why is the Check Engine light so important?

It notably prevents gasoline fumes from leaving the fuel tank, and it helps keep the whole system under the correct pressure . If your check engine light turns on immediately after a fill-up, pull over and make sure the cap isn’t loose – or still on your car’s roof.