The engine malfunction indicator light may illuminate due to poor fuel quality. It is likely that most car owners have experienced this situation—shortly after refueling, the engine malfunction light appears on the dashboard. This is mostly caused by filling up with low-quality gasoline at non-standard gas stations, leading to incomplete combustion of the air-fuel mixture during engine operation and triggering the engine malfunction light. While this does not affect driving safety, it may cause some degree of damage to the engine. Additionally, the uneven quality of fuel available in the market and congested urban traffic can easily lead to carbon buildup on the car's spark plugs. Carbon deposits on the spark plugs can cause poor engine performance, resulting in issues such as difficulty starting, unstable idle speed, poor acceleration, backfiring during rapid acceleration, excessive exhaust emissions, and increased fuel consumption. Furthermore, engine misfire can lead to increased fuel consumption, black smoke emissions, weak acceleration, severe shaking, and possibly louder engine noise. It may also cause the vehicle to stall frequently. The primary causes of engine misfire stem from the ignition system and fuel supply system. When the engine malfunction light illuminates, it does not necessarily mean the engine has stopped working, but it is advisable to drive to a repair shop promptly for inspection and maintenance. Upon noticing the engine malfunction light, first check the coolant temperature gauge and the oil pressure warning light. If these indicators show no warning, the vehicle can still be driven, but it is crucial to control the speed and proceed to a repair shop for inspection as soon as possible. If the coolant temperature is too high or the oil pressure warning light comes on, accompanied by noticeable vehicle malfunctions, you should pull over immediately and call the repair shop for assistance.
