What to do if your car’s engine light goes on in the dashboard?

When the car’s engine light goes on in the dashboard, it’s not always cause for panic but to warn you that something is wrong. In addition, it’s to protect you financially and your car from any unnecessary and expensive damage. Let’s explore the common reasons for warning lights on your dashboard.¹

What’s the purpose of the engine light?

When starting the car, each dashboard light that comes on is designed to go off soon. If the engine light stays on or flashes, it’s likely a warning about an engine problem. Usually, a continuous yellow light may indicate a lesser engine issue. But a flashing yellow light or a constant orange or red light warns you about serious engine errors.¹

Although you won’t know straightaway what’s causing the engine light warning, it is still helpful to understand what some of the reasons could be.¹

A transmission malfunction

The transmission section is the part of the car that transfers power from the engine to the wheels. The engine light will come on if something is wrong with that module.¹

The fuel cap is loose

Are you filling up with fuel at a petrol station? If the engine light goes on soon after leaving the station, stop and make sure the fuel cap is tightly closed. A loose cap can’t create the required vacuum and so triggers the engine light.¹

Incorrect air/fuel mixtures in the combustion chamber

An engine needs to receive specific volumes of air and fuel which explode in the combustion chamber to deliver optimum power to the wheels. The engine light will sound the alarm if that mixture is incorrect.¹

Ignition system error

As soon as your car’s computer detects faulty spark plugs, coil, or other ignition system parts, it will activate the engine light:¹

What do you do when the engine light stays on?

• If a yellow light stays on: A continuous yellow light means the error may not be so severe, but you still need to take your car in for a service as soon as possible. Be alert to any strange developments with the car’s performance, and immediately take it to a petrol station, or better yet, to the mechanic if you become suspicious.¹
• A flashing or orange/red light: A flashing or an orange/red light indicates a severe system error, and you need to stop driving the car immediately by parking it safely.¹

Call for help

It gives you tremendous peace of mind to know you have immediate access to a 24-hour towing service and roadside assistance. Often your car insurer will provide this option to help you in your hour of need. Make sure you have your insurer’s emergency number on your cell phone and call them straightaway to tow your car to a garage.¹

Disclaimer

This article aims to describe the various situations that can trigger your car’s engine light so that you know how to respond and remain safe.¹

Sources:

1. 1. What to Do When the Engine Warning Light Is On