Is a check engine light always serious?

When your car's check engine light illuminates on your dashboard, it's usually accompanied by a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. The light could be a minor issue, such as a faulty gas cap, or it could mean something more serious, such as a misfiring engine.

What is the most common reason for check engine light?

The top 25 repairs account for 62% of all check engine repairs in the United States. Replacing a faulty oxygen sensor — a sensor used to optimize a vehicle's fuel-to-air mixture to increase gas mileage and reduce emissions — is the most common cause for a check engine light.

Does check engine light always mean something bad?

The good news is: The check engine light doesn't always mean something is horribly wrong with your car. The bad news is: The check engine light can mean there's something horribly wrong with your car.

When should I be worried about check engine light?

Unlike a Temperature or Oil Pressure light, a Check Engine light is usually not an urgent, “Stop right now or you may cause permanent damage!” type of situation, unless it is flashing. If the check engine light is flashing, a more severe problem has occurred.

Can you ignore check engine light?

If the check engine light comes on, it's one dashboard light you should not ignore. Whether for a week, a month, or a year, if you ignore the check engine light, it puts your vehicle, and by extension, your personal safety at risk.

Most Common Reasons Your Check Engine Light Is On

What does a solid check engine light mean?

A solid Check Engine Light can mean something like a loose gas cap, or it can indicate a more in-depth problem like a fuel, timing, or transmission issue. Get your car diagnosed, although the urgency isn't the same as if the light was flashing at you.

Why is my check engine light on but everything is fine?

Check Engine Light False Alarms

Sometimes you'll notice a check engine light even though the car runs fine. There are a couple of reasons why this may be. If there is a problem with the car, it's probably the O2 sensor. This is an extremely common problem with modern cars and a relatively easy one to fix.

How long can you drive with a check engine light?

If your Check Engine light comes on for any reason, it's still possible to drive your vehicle, but it is only recommended to drive another 50 to 100 miles before scanning your car's computer for error codes. This process allows you to identify the issue at hand and address it as you see fit.

Does check engine light come on for oil change?

An illuminated check engine light is the first warning sign that your vehicle needs an oil change. It can activate because the oil is too dirty or when there's not enough flowing throughout the engine.

Is it safe to drive a car with engine light on?

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. 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.

Can I drive with check engine light on and car shaking?

You should not continue to drive when the car is shaking and the check engine light is on. Such a scenario often indicates that your car is suffering from a severe misfire, which could damage the catalytic converter and other costly components.

Is an engine misfire expensive to fix?

The cost of repair and replacement can range from anywhere between $100 to $1000, depending on the reason for the misfire. The most common causes of misfire and their average estimated cost of repairs are listed below: Poor fuel delivery: $200-$1,000.

Is engine misfire serious?

If left untreated, a cylinder misfire can lead to significant engine damage. Worse, if you experience a bad misfire while driving, it could result in an accident. This is why it's important to treat engine misfires as soon as you detect them.

How long does it take to check engine?

A standard diagnostic test can take about an hour to an hour and a half. Of course, more complicated issues that require further diagnosis and where components must be removed for access or testing can take 2-3 hours; depending on the severity of the issue or multiple underlying issues.

What does an orange engine light mean?

A flashing orange light means that there is a problem that could affect how the car drives or handles, such as an engine misfire. You might be able to feel your car shake, or the engine could suddenly sound different. If this light comes on, you should take your car to be inspected immediately.

How much does it cost to get your check engine light fixed?

Repair costs for the most common check engine light problems range from under $20 to almost $1,200, according to CarMD's analysis of millions of repairs recommended in 2016 in the U.S.

Why is my yellow check engine light on?

On some cars, a yellow check engine light means investigate the problem and a red one means stop right now. Try tightening your gas cap. This can often solve the problem. Keep in mind that it may take several trips before the light resets.

Can heavy rain cause check engine light?

"I actually had three customers come in," said Kotter. "They all had check engine lights come on." Kotter said drivers complained of misfiring, stalling and other issues that are typical during a heavy rain. "It gets in the belts, gets on the engine, gets the electrical," said Kotter.

What are signs of a misfire?

What does misfiring feel like?

Technically, a misfire is the result of incomplete combustion (or zero combustion) inside one or more of an engine's cylinders. But to you, the driver, the problem will usually feel like hesitation or shaking when the car is running. On modern vehicles, the check engine light will also pop on when there's a misfire.

What misfire sounds like?

So what does a misfire sound like? During a misfire, the engine will make a sudden sound that can be described as popping, sneezing, or backfiring. Backfiring occurs when unburned fuel exits the cylinder on the exhaust stroke and is then ignited farther in the system by the spark of the next cylinder.

How long can I drive with engine misfire?

In theory, you could drive thousands of miles with a cylinder that misfires. The other cylinders in the engine will continue to operate, so even though you may shake and stall along the wall (and not get much in the way of speed or acceleration), the car will still run.

Will driving with a misfire damage my engine?

An engine misfire can be caused by bad spark plugs or imbalanced air/fuel mixture. Driving with a misfire isn't safe and can damage your engine.