Will it damage my engine if I drive my vehicle with the check engine light on?
In many vehicles, there are two types of check engine lights—a solid light and a flashing light. A flashing light could mean a more serious problem like an overheating engine or engine misfire, sometimes causing irreversible damage. You shouldn’t drive further if this is the case.
What does it mean when check engine light comes on while driving?
malfunction indicator lamp
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.
Why is my Subaru check engine light flashing?
If the check engine light in your Subaru Forester starts glaring, that means that the problem needs immediate attention and your Subaru should be brought in quickly. This blinking light usually indicates a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system.
How long can you drive with a blinking engine light?
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.
How do you reset the check engine light on a Subaru?
How to Reset a Subaru Check Engine Light
- Open the hood of your Subaru and loosen the nut that holds the cable clamp to the negative battery terminal.
- Slide the cable off the negative battery terminal.
- Wait 5 minutes, then reconnect the cable and tighten the retaining nut.
What does check engine mean Subaru?
The “check engine” light is part of your Subaru’s so-called onboard diagnostics (OBD) system. In addition to turning on the light or lights, the computer stores a “trouble code” in its memory that identifies the source of the problem, such as a malfunctioning sensor or a misfiring engine.