What does 'Engine Malfunction, Service Required Immediately' mean?

[MacBeckett]

"Engine Malfunction, Service Required Immediately" means that there is a fault in the engine, and it is necessary to go to a 4S shop to use a decoding instrument to read the fault code before determining which specific component in the engine system has a problem. Principle: An engine is a machine that can convert other forms of energy into mechanical energy, including internal combustion engines (reciprocating piston engines), external combustion engines (Stirling engines, steam engines, etc.), jet engines, electric motors, etc. Concept: An engine can refer to both the power generation device and the entire machine including the power device (e.g., gasoline engines, aircraft engines).

[DelTheo]

That yellow engine light popping up last time really gave me a scare! I rushed straight to the repair shop for a check, and the mechanic said it was just a faulty sensor in the exhaust system acting up. Honestly, it's like when your phone throws a warning—the onboard computer detects something off with the engine, emissions, or electronics and alerts you. If the light's on but the car isn't shaking or making strange noises, it's probably a false alarm or a minor issue like slightly clogged fuel injectors. But if it turns red accompanied by knocking sounds, black smoke, or loss of power, don't delay—you could damage the catalytic converter, and repairs will hit your wallet hard. Remember: yellow means you can drive to the shop, but red requires immediate stopping and calling for a tow.

[MacLeila]

I experienced the same issue with my old Corolla. The engine light stayed on right after refueling. The mechanic said a loose fuel cap causing a leak could trigger the detection! Now whenever the light comes on, I use a simple method: first add two bottles of fuel additive and drive on the highway—80% of the time it clears false alarms caused by carbon buildup. If the light stubbornly remains on, then focus on checking the oxygen sensor and spark plugs. The most annoying thing about this darn light is that it's like a riddle—it could be a minor issue like aging spark plugs costing just a few bucks, or a catastrophic disaster like the transmission failing. I recommend keeping an OBD scanner handy; plugging it in to read the fault codes is more accurate than fortune-telling.

[CadenRose]

Don't panic when you see this warning light on the dashboard, but take it seriously. Last time my Passat's yellow light came on and I kept driving, which ended up burning through the catalytic converter—repair costs were enough to buy three smartphones. The basic logic is simple: the onboard computer triggers an alert when it detects excessive exhaust emissions, cylinder misfires, or fuel system abnormalities. The most dangerous scenario is when the engine shakes severely or loses acceleration power along with the warning light, likely indicating a failed ignition coil. A yellow light allows you to drive to the repair shop, but avoid congested routes. If the light comes on for a few seconds during cold start then turns off, it's usually just the system self-check. Focus on inspecting these three troublemakers: fuel cap, mass airflow sensor, and ignition coils.