Why does my check engine light come on the freeway?
When the Check Engine light comes on, this is the on-board computer’s way of telling you it sees a problem in one of the monitored systems. Very commonly, this could be a faulty, loose or missing fuel cap or even putting fuel in while the vehicle is running can set the light.
Is it safe to drive far with check engine light on?
When the check engine light is solid, you can typically drive the car for hundreds of miles without an issue. Of course, that depends on which code is stored in the vehicle’s computer. If an engine sensor is faulty, the car will usually use made up sensor values to keep running.
How long can I drive my car with check engine light on?
It is safe to drive your car for 50 to 100 miles (80 to 160 kilometers) regardless if the Check Engine Light signal is on. Take some individual trips so that the car’s system can assess all the car components’ status on each trip. “Individual trips” means turning off the engine and starting another trip every time.
Can a bad oxygen sensor cause the check engine light to come on?
1. Faulty O2 Sensors. The oxygen sensor, also known as the O2 sensor, measures the amount of unburnt oxygen in your exhaust system. A failing sensor can cause the check engine light to be triggered, though you can continue to drive relatively fine with it.
Can you drive with orange 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.
Can check engine light come on because of battery?
A bad battery can cause problems in electrical and electronic parts, including the computer. It can even cause a “Check Engine” light. This can lead to rough shifting, performance problems, codes, and, yes, a “Check Engine” light.
What should you do if your check engine light comes on?
If the check engine light comes on while you’re driving, it can be unnerving. Don’t panic, though. Take a moment to see if the car is driving any differently than normal. Is it bucking? Surging? Are there any unusual sounds? If nothing seems out of the ordinary, you can continue driving the car.
How to pass inspection and complete a drive cycle?
In this video I’ll show you how to complete a drive cycle and pass inspection after turing off your check engine light. It is true that your car will not pass inspection if the check engine light is on. However there is more to it than simply turning it off.
What happens if you have a flashing engine light?
Driving with a flashing engine light can result in more expensive problems with your engine. One example is if the car is misfiring/not running at all on one cylinder, and you keep driving for a long distance, you can either fill up the catalytic converter with fuel and destroy it.
How can I read the trouble codes on my car?
To read the trouble codes from the engine control unit, you need an OBD2 scanner. You can either drive your car to a workshop and let a mechanic read the trouble codes from the engine control unit, or you can also do it yourself if you have a scanner.