What does it mean when the engine malfunction indicator light comes on? Can I still drive?
2 Answers
When the engine malfunction indicator light comes on, you should stop driving immediately to protect the engine. Continuing to drive may cause damage to the engine. With the advancement in automotive manufacturing technology, the engine itself generally doesn't experience major failures. There are numerous sensors and electronic devices around the engine, along with some critical components. If any of these components malfunction, it may cause the engine to operate abnormally, triggering the engine warning light. Here's an extended explanation: Engine sensor malfunctions: The sensors around the engine include the camshaft position sensor, oxygen sensor, coolant temperature sensor, knock sensor, mass airflow sensor, intake air temperature sensor, etc. Failure of certain sensors may lead to abnormal engine operation. Reading trouble codes: During repairs, technicians typically connect a diagnostic computer to the OBD port to read the vehicle's trouble codes. These codes help technicians quickly identify the faulty component and determine the cause. Therefore, reading trouble codes is a crucial and mandatory step in vehicle maintenance.
My car also had the engine malfunction indicator light come on last time, and I was really a bit panicked at that moment. When this thing lights up, it means the onboard computer has detected an issue, and there could be quite a few possible reasons: like an oxygen sensor failure, a clogged catalytic converter, aging spark plugs, or simply using low-quality gasoline. If you feel the car is driving relatively normally without noticeable shaking or strange noises, you can continue driving at low speed to a repair shop. But remember not to exceed 60 km/h and try to avoid stomping on the accelerator. In my case, after driving to get it checked, it turned out to be just a loose fuel cap, but some situations like a misfire require stopping the car immediately. The key is to read the trouble codes as soon as possible. I recommend keeping a simple diagnostic tool in the trunk; when this happens, you can plug it in and check the basics with your phone.
