It has happened to most of us at one time or another. You might be driving around the city just fine only to suddenly discover that your check engine light has come on. Not knowing exactly why that light has come on might trouble you, but you might not notice anything wrong with the vehicle. That is why you might also be wondering if it is ok to just keep driving with the light on. The simple answer is, no, you should not drive with that light on for any longer than is absolutely necessary. The check engine light is a warning system built into the design of your car for exact reasons such as this.
What Can Happen if You Keep Driving?
To be fair, there are no guarantees that something bad will happen if you keep driving your vehicle when the check engine light has come on. However, the consequences of doing so can be rather severe. To begin with, this could be an indicator of a serious problem with your engine. If that is the case, you will become a hazard to other vehicles while driving. It is best to pull over and get help as soon as is safely possible.
The check engine light could also be telling you that the car is about to overheat. This can happen far more quickly than you realize. A car that is overheating can be dangerous. You do not need to panic, but you do want to pull off the road so that you can turn the car off and safely assess the situation.
Pay Attention to the Warning Signs
The bottom line is that the check engine light on your car should be viewed as your friend and not the enemy. It is there to warn you of a possible problem. You should not ignore it. It is best to have your car checked out, find out what the problem is, and then get it fixed before you potentially do serious and costly damage to your vehicle.
If your check engine light has come on, we encourage you to bring your vehicle to our shop to have it looked after by our professional technicians today.