🚨 RED Check Engine Light (Flashing or Solid Red): Immediate Action Required

A red or flashing check engine light means serious engine trouble.  Driving could cause severe damage or pose a safety risk.

✅ What You Should Do:

1. Pull Over Safely As soon as it is safe, pull off the road and stop the vehicle. Avoid high-speed or heavy traffic lanes while stopping.
2. As soon as it is safe, pull off the road and stop the vehicle.
3. Avoid high-speed or heavy traffic lanes while stopping.
4. Turn Off the Engine Shut off the engine to prevent further damage. Do not attempt to restart unless necessary to move to a safer location.
5. Shut off the engine to prevent further damage.
6. Do not attempt to restart unless necessary to move to a safer location.
7. Check for Obvious Problems Open the hood only if it's safe. Look for: Steam (indicates overheating) Unusual smells (burning or fuel) Visible leaks
8. Open the hood only if it's safe.
9. Look for: Steam (indicates overheating) Unusual smells (burning or fuel) Visible leaks
10. Steam (indicates overheating)
11. Unusual smells (burning or fuel)
12. Visible leaks
13. Call for Help Contact roadside assistance, your mechanic, or a tow service. If you have an OBD-II scanner and know how to use it, you can read the trouble code, but do not continue driving without professional advice.
14. Contact roadside assistance, your mechanic, or a tow service.
15. If you have an OBD-II scanner and know how to use it, you can read the trouble code, but do not continue driving without professional advice.
16. Do Not Ignore It Even if the light turns off, have the car inspected before driving again.
17. Even if the light turns off, have the car inspected before driving again.

⚠️ YELLOW or AMBER Check Engine Light (Solid): Caution, Check Soon

A yellow or amber light means a non-emergency issue. Your vehicle is likely still drivable, but it needs attention as soon as possible.

✅ What You Should Do:

1. Do Not Panic — Drive Moderately Avoid high speeds, heavy acceleration, or towing until the issue is diagnosed. Keep an eye on your gauges (temperature, oil pressure) for signs of worsening problems.
2. Avoid high speeds, heavy acceleration, or towing until the issue is diagnosed.
3. Keep an eye on your gauges (temperature, oil pressure) for signs of worsening problems.
4. Tighten Your Gas Cap A loose or damaged gas cap is a common cause of a yellow check engine light. Turn off the engine, tighten the cap, and see if the light turns off after a few trips.
5. A loose or damaged gas cap is a common cause of a yellow check engine light.
6. Turn off the engine, tighten the cap, and see if the light turns off after a few trips.
7. Schedule a Diagnostic Test Make an appointment with a mechanic within a day or two. Or, use an OBD-II scanner (available at auto parts stores or for purchase) to read the code yourself.
8. Make an appointment with a mechanic within a day or two.
9. Or, use an OBD-II scanner (available at auto parts stores or for purchase) to read the code yourself.
10. Don’t Delay Repairs The issue may worsen or affect fuel economy/emissions. Continuing to drive too long with a yellow light may trigger more severe issues, even turning it red.
11. The issue may worsen or affect fuel economy/emissions.
12. Continuing to drive too long with a yellow light may trigger more severe issues, even turning it red.
13. Document the Symptoms Note when the light came on and any unusual symptoms: Rough idling Strange noises Poor acceleration Increased fuel consumption
14. Note when the light came on and any unusual symptoms: Rough idling Strange noises Poor acceleration Increased fuel consumption
15. Rough idling
16. Strange noises
17. Poor acceleration
18. Increased fuel consumption

❗ Summary Comparison