Can You Still Drive with Engine Failure?
3 Answers
You cannot drive with engine failure. The causes of engine failure include: 1. Failure of the three-way catalytic converter; 2. Oxygen sensor malfunction; 3. Poor fuel quality; 4. Overheating of the engine; 5. Engine misfire; 5. Coolant temperature sensor malfunction; 6. Weak or damaged battery; 7. Engine carbon buildup. The solutions for engine failure are: 1. Clean the entire fuel system with fuel additives; 2. Use higher-octane gasoline; 3. Replace the three-way catalytic converter. Engine maintenance methods include: 1. Use high-quality engine oil; 2. Regularly clean the radiator scale; 3. Maintain a reasonable engine speed; 4. Use qualified coolant.
To be honest, I learned this lesson the hard way when I was driving that modified Focus two years ago. I was in a hurry to pick someone up when suddenly the engine warning light popped up on the dashboard, and the tachometer was shaking like crazy. I thought to myself, 'Just five more kilometers, hang in there,' but the engine blew right after getting off the overpass. The towing fee plus labor costs totaled up to 80,000 yuan. Take my advice: if the engine warning light is on, or the car is shaking like a leaf, the throttle feels weak accompanied by metal grinding sounds, don't push it. Don't believe those nonsense like 'just drive slowly, it'll be fine'—blowing a piston or bending a valve can happen in an instant. Especially for turbocharged cars, driving under high temperatures can wreck the engine block in no time, and the repair costs could easily amount to half the price of a used car.
My daughter just encountered this issue last week, and it scared her so much that she called me crying in the middle of the night on the national highway. I immediately told her to turn on the hazard lights, coast to the emergency lane, and place the warning triangle 150 meters behind the car. Remember, when the engine malfunctions, it's not just about losing power—the more dangerous part is that the brake assist might fail, and the power steering could become intermittent. I once drove an old Jetta when the electronic throttle threw an error, and I almost rear-ended the car in front when I hit the brakes. Even if it's just a yellow warning light and you can still drive, never take it on the highway or mountain roads—no matter how far the repair shop is, it's cheaper than calling a tow truck. Basic insurance usually covers rescue services anyway.
