Can I still drive if the car shakes and the engine fault light is on?
2 Answers
If the engine fault light is on, the car should not be driven. The shaking could be due to a misfire (one cylinder not firing), excessive carbon buildup in the throttle body, or a faulty ignition coil. If the engine fault indicator occasionally lights up, it might be caused by a sensor issue in the electronic control system (e.g., throttle position sensor), a malfunctioning actuator, or a problem in the ignition system. Solutions for an illuminated engine fault light: 1. Most vehicle fault lights are triggered by fuel emission system issues. When the light is on, try starting and turning off the vehicle three times, then observe if the fault light remains illuminated. 2. If the light stays on, promptly visit a repair shop to check the fault code to determine whether it's an engine issue or a sensor malfunction. If the light turns off, it may be an intermittent fault, and immediate inspection isn't necessary. 3. The principle behind the light activation: When the ECU receives oxygen sensor data indicating severely excessive emissions beyond national standards and cannot adjust them to the standard range, the engine control unit will trigger the emission warning light (yellow pollution light) on the dashboard to alert the owner to inspect the cause at a service station.
My car also had the issue of shaking and the engine warning light coming on last time. I was on the highway and felt quite panicked. But I knew this couldn’t be taken lightly because the shaking indicates unstable engine operation, and the light is the ECU warning of a system fault. Common causes include aging spark plugs or a faulty ignition coil. Continuing to drive poses too much risk, such as potentially burning out pistons or leading to more expensive repairs. That time, I slowly pulled over to a safe area, called for a tow truck, and after the repair, it saved me a lot of trouble. I recommend that no matter where you are, prioritize finding a place to stop and check basic fluids like oil and coolant, and avoid driving long distances forcefully. For regular maintenance, pay attention to changing spark plugs periodically to prevent issues before they arise. In short, safety first—the car can be repaired, but personal safety is the most critical.
