Can You Still Drive When the Engine Fault Light Comes On?
2 Answers
Whether you can drive after the engine fault light comes on depends on the specific situation. After the engine fault light comes on, there are several possible scenarios: 1. The car cannot start after the engine fault light comes on. This may be caused by a fuel pump or ignition component failure, in which case you can only call for help. 2. The engine fault light comes on, but there are no abnormal driving conditions. This may just be a sensor malfunction or a false fault. In this case, you can continue driving temporarily, but it is best to drive at low to medium speeds. 3. The engine fault light comes on, and the vehicle can still be driven, but there are symptoms such as severe shaking or lack of acceleration. Continuing to drive in this situation may worsen the fault, damage the engine, or cause other faults, so it is not recommended to continue driving. In such cases, you need to seek assistance.
Last time I drove and encountered the engine malfunction light, I was quite worried and asked if I could still drive. As an ordinary car owner with eight years of driving experience, generally, if the light stays on without other symptoms like shaking or black smoke, you can drive slowly for a few kilometers to find a nearby repair shop, but you shouldn’t drive long distances or at high speeds. The root cause might be a faulty oxygen sensor, clogged fuel line, or aging spark plugs, which can be fixed with simple repairs. However, in severe cases like cylinder misfires, continuing to drive could damage the catalytic converter, leading to repairs costing thousands, which isn’t worth it. I recommend first using an OBD scanner to read the fault code and determine the cause. Regular maintenance, such as changing the oil and air filter on schedule, can help reduce such issues. In short, safety comes first—don’t let it turn into a major problem.