Check Engine & Warning Lights

Check Engine Light Basics

5 guides, starting with Why Your Check Engine Light Is On and What to Do First.

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Why Your Check Engine Light Is On and What to Do First

Check engine light on? Learn what it means, the first things to check, common causes, whether it's safe to keep driving, and how to find the exact cause.

5 min read

Check Engine Light On and Off, or On While the Car Runs Fine

Why a check engine light can come and go, or stay on while the car feels normal, plus what to check and when an intermittent warning becomes urgent.

3 min read

Check Engine vs. Service Engine Soon: Are They the Same Light?

Check engine and service engine soon lights can mean the same thing or different things depending on your vehicle. Here's how to tell which one you have.

3 min read

Flashing vs. Solid Check Engine Light: Which Is Worse?

A flashing check engine light is generally more urgent than a solid one. Learn what each means, likely causes, what to do, and whether you can keep driving.

3 min read

How to Reset the Check Engine Light (and When You Shouldn't)

Learn how to reset a check engine light with a scanner, by fixing the problem, or by disconnecting the battery, and why finding the cause first matters.

3 min read

More in check engine & warning lights

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