How long can the car run after the wrench light comes on?
2 Answers
The car can still run for 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers after the wrench light comes on. The maintenance reminder cycle is preset when the car leaves the factory. The appearance of the small wrench generally indicates that the car has traveled 5,000 kilometers and requires maintenance. The dashboard settings will alert the owner in advance. Typically, the car maintenance cycle is between 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers, so the car can still continue to be driven. Since car maintenance is determined either by time or mileage, whichever comes first will decide the maintenance date. Generally, maintenance is required every six months, but some cars might have a maintenance setting of every five or six months. When the time is up, the small wrench will appear on the dashboard. Therefore, based on time, the car can still be driven for another half a month to a month.
I've repaired many cars, and the wrench light on the dashboard usually indicates a maintenance reminder. Many car owners think they can keep driving for a long time, but I must tell you, you really can't take it lightly. I've seen many cars develop major problems because this reminder was ignored. If it's a minor maintenance reminder, like needing an oil change, driving an extra 100-200 kilometers might be okay. But if it involves critical maintenance for the engine or transmission, such as needing a transmission fluid change, continuing to drive is essentially gambling. Some cars even limit power output if you exceed the set mileage. This is no joke—check the manual or visit a maintenance shop to reset the code as soon as possible for peace of mind.
