One of two things can happen when the check engine light turns on: it can either stay on or it can blink.
You can continue driving for a short while if your check engine light comes on but is not flashing, which indicates that the problem is probably not significant. However, it is advised that you schedule a certified BMW mechanic to examine your car as soon as possible.
The cause of the check engine light is almost certainly a major problem if it is flashing. You should safely pull over and have your car towed if it is performing poorly or making strange noises. Consider stopping if the check engine light is flashing but the rest of the car appears to be in working order. Speak with an expert auto shop to find out whether you can drive to a technician or if you need to have the car towed.
The check engine light should always be checked if it appears on your dashboard. Even little problems can develop into larger ones that cost you more money and cause more harm.
In This Article...
Service Engine Light Definition
A service engine light indicates that you should get your car inspected by a qualified mechanic who can identify the issue that caused the light. Some people mistakenly believe that the check engine light, which indicates a more serious issue with your car but has a similar meaning, is the same as this light.
The service engine light indicates that it is safe to take your automobile to a maintenance and repair facility, but it also indicates that you shouldn’t drive it further. If you do, the check engine light will probably come on next, signaling that your automobile is about to fail.
Can I continue to drive when the Check Engine light comes on?
Generally speaking, you should only continue driving for 50 to 100 miles with the Check Engine light illuminated before at the very least scanning the computer for problem codes. Driving about for a bit can actually give one of your car’s sensors time to recalibrate or reset, which turns off the Check Engine light if the problem is with that sensor.
After some time of driving, if the light is still on, scan the engine computer to determine the issue. Then, you can choose to either fix it right away or keep driving while it’s still on.
The length of time you can drive with the Check Engine light on ultimately depends on how you feel about addressing the problem—you could theoretically do so for thousands of miles.
Key Learnings The quickest approach to figure out the problem if your Check Engine light comes on is to have the engine computer checked for fault codes. You decide how long you want to drive with the light on after the issue has been identified.
Driving a car when the engine light is on is possible.
Don’t freak out if the check engine light comes on while you’re driving! Keep an eye out to observe if the car is driving in any unusual ways. The question “Can you drive a car with the engine light on?” may be on your mind. The performance of the vehicle and the underlying cause of the check engine light’s lighting will determine whether it is safe to continue driving. Simply remember to get your automobile checked as soon as you can when the light comes on. Don’t put off necessary engine maintenance!
You can keep operating the vehicle if nothing seems unusual. Anything from a bad oxygen sensor to a poor MAF sensor could be the root of the problem. It can also indicate that your catalytic converter has stopped functioning.
Check Engine Light Remains On
If the check engine light stays on, you can continue to drive the vehicle. But only if the vehicle’s vital components, such the brakes and lights, are working.
Watch the coolant temperature and oil pressure warning lights on your dashboard carefully.
Caution: If the problem is significant, don’t ignore it. As soon as you can, take your car to a qualified mechanic for accurate diagnosis and repair.
What should you do if the BMW engine light illuminates?
The check engine light never goes off: The onboard diagnostic system in your car has found a problem that has to be rectified. Even if your car may appear to be running smoothly, it’s recommended to have it serviced as soon as possible to avoid more problems.
How long can a BMW check engine light be on?
It is still possible to drive your car if the Check Engine light comes on for any reason, but it is only advised to go another 50 to 100 miles before checking your car’s computer for problem codes. You can pinpoint the problem at hand using this technique and deal with it however you see proper.
Depending on the problem that caused the Check Engine light to come on, you could be able to keep driving for a very long time or only a few days. The engine computer has time to reset some sensors after traveling between 50 and 100 miles, which could resolve the issue.
Will a BMW check engine light automatically reset?
Since the Condition-Based Servicing system is used by the majority of BMW models, your check engine light ought to automatically turn off after the problematic issue has been fixed.
Can the engine light turn on without cause?
Why is the check engine light on in my car? The check engine light might illuminate for a variety of causes. For instance, a simple issue like a loose gas cap can cause the warning to appear. Additionally, serious issues like damaged internal engine parts can cause the light to come on.
Can you travel far with your check engine light on?
If the check engine light on your car is solid, you should be able to operate it. The only exception is if the car doesn’t feel as though it is operating smoothly. Driving your car should be avoided in this circumstance. Avoid driving if the check engine light on your car is blinking.
Must I disregard the engine light?
If the check engine light is serious is the next thing you might be considering. Many vehicles include a number of flashing sequences that can help you figure out what’s wrong. A check engine light may come on as a result of several frequent issues. You guessed it—an issue with the engine—is the first. The check engine light will come on when the control module notices an issue with the engine. However, a check engine light can also be set off by transmission lights and issues with emissions equipment. The modules and sensors that regulate the powertrain provide another possible point of trouble. The light may come on due to problems with the air filter, fuel delivery system, or ignition system.
For instance, a malfunctioning oxygen sensor prevents your engine from operating as efficiently as it should. Your engine runs “rich” when it doesn’t obtain enough oxygen because there is fuel left over from the combustion process. Your check engine light comes on when the oxygen sensor is malfunctioning because this could cause long-term harm to your engine.
The spark plugs and wires of the car are another frequent cause of check engine light issues. Worn-out plugs will impede combustion, increasing the likelihood of misfires. Don’t wait to replace the spark plugs and wires until they are totally worn out because a misfire while you are attempting to speed on the highway could result in a fatal malfunction.
The issues that could cause a check engine light to come on are all severe. One dashboard light you shouldn’t overlook if the check engine light comes on is this one. If you ignore the check engine light, your car and consequently your personal safety are at risk whether for a week, a month, or a year. As a result of your vehicle’s inability to warn you of developing issues, minor issues might grow into major ones very fast. Your car has no method of informing you about any future issues because the light is already on.
Will the check engine light automatically turn off?
If the problem that caused the check engine light to come on is fixed, the light will go out automatically. Consequently, if your converter is subpar and you frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic, which puts a lot of strain on the converter, it may have caused the check engine light to come on.
The severity of the check engine light
The light could indicate a minor problem, such as a broken gas cap, or it could indicate a more serious problem, such as an engine that is misfiring. It frequently indicates that you will need to take your vehicle to the dealership for repairs and to have the light turned off.
How long can the check engine light be ignored?
I criticize Courtlin for having car problems, but I’ll say something now about my own vehicle. Over the weekend, I drove to Iowa City and back. My 2014 Hyundai Tucson doesn’t make many lengthy drives on the highway. It turned on while I was returning to Cedar Rapids. check engine light, which is dreaded. Now that it wasn’t flashing, I knew the issue was critical. But how horrible would the news be?
According to a recent research, the typical driver will wait nine days after seeing the light come on to have their car checked out. To be fair, it did go off the very following day. Mine occurred on a Saturday. Having said that, I still need to have it examined to determine what initially caused it to pop on. The worst is not necessarily going to happen to your car just because the check engine light turns on. If the light is flashing right now, that can be a sign of something more serious.
So what may set off your check engine light? Here are a few very widespread causes.
- Loose Gas Cap – Your gas cap keeps the pressure in the tank constant and ensures that your gas tank is correctly sealed. Your light might have turned on because of this if it isn’t on tightly or has a crack. Once more, tighten the cap, and then switch your car on and off to see whether the light goes out.
- Oxygen Sensor – An oxygen sensor that is failing may be the cause of poor fuel economy and the check engine light. How many of these have I had go bad? I have no idea. You can still drive with one bad, but you’ll need to replace it because it’s essential to your car’s exhaust and emissions system.
- If your catalytic converter is malfunctioning, it’s probably because you disregarded a number of other problems. Spark plugs, cables, and yes, those oxygen sensors are some of the additional components that interact with your catalytic converter.
The fact is that a check engine light isn’t always a bad thing. However, it might if you don’t have a reliable mechanic examine it soon!
Why does my car run OK although my check engine light is on?
Even when the automobile is running smoothly, the check engine light will occasionally appear. There are a few potential explanations for this. The O2 sensor is likely to be at fault if there is an issue with the vehicle. Modern automobiles frequently experience this issue, which is also a pretty simple one to resolve. Gas caps have a limited service life but are rarely replaced by owners or dealers, so that could possibly be the problem.
However, there are times when an automobile may be running just fine without any problems at all. A false alert caused by the check engine light. There’s a strong possibility that a computer malfunction caused the check engine light to come on if the code reader shows a nonsense code or shows no codes at all.
You can use a code reader to remove the code from the system once the issue has been rectified. There’s a strong possibility you fixed the issue or there was never one if your car keeps running smoothly and the check engine light does not turn back on within a few days.