• TheRealKuni@piefed.social
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        8 days ago

        100%. Check engine light can mean a bunch of pretty minor things. Oil pressure? Stop the car. Stop the car NOW. You’re gonna have to pay for a tow and repair, but if you don’t stop RIGHT NOW you’re going to need a new car. Or at least a new engine.

        • kalpol@lemmy.ca
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          8 days ago

          Literally opened this thread only to say this. Check engine light means the engine is doing something to increase emissions, up to and including misfires and such. Can be harmful but over a somewhat longer period of time than being out of oil.

          • Kintarian@lemmy.world
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            8 days ago

            My check engine light came on and freaked me out. Found out the code was P0171: Bank running lean. I currently have a mix of gas and E85 in the tank and the computer doesn’t like it. Nothing is actually wrong.

            • SeeMarkFly@lemmy.ml
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              8 days ago

              Mine was a loose gas cap. I’m not paying $300 to a dealer to turn that light off.

              • chiliedogg@lemmy.world
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                8 days ago

                You can buy a cheap Bluetooth OBDII scanner online and use a free phone app like Torque to read and clear codes.

                I think most chain auto part stores will also let you use their scanners for free.