What is the MIL light?
2 Answers
MIL stands for Malfunction-Indicator-Lamp, which represents the engine fault light. When the general OBD fault indicator light is on, the ECU will use some pre-set data to temporarily replace the faulty data. As a result, the car will operate based on "false data," which may affect many normal operations. Common engine faults in cars can be summarized as follows: 1. Engine stall fault: During engine operation, the speed fluctuates irregularly, a phenomenon known as engine stalling, and the fault is referred to as an engine stall fault. 2. Engine failure to start: Symptom: Turn the ignition switch to the start position, but the engine fails to start.
As a newly licensed driver who just bought a car less than a month ago, I panicked when a small yellow engine icon suddenly lit up on the dashboard while driving, not knowing what it was. Later, I learned from a friend that it's called the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp), indicating an issue with the vehicle's system, such as emission control or sensor failure. Ignoring it and continuing to drive could worsen the problem, potentially leading to engine damage or higher fuel consumption. It's advisable to pull over safely for inspection or drive to a repair shop for diagnostics as soon as possible—unlike my initial delay, which nearly left me stranded. Fortunately, I resolved it early. Developing a habit of regularly checking the dashboard is practical; safety always comes first.
