Safety
What to do when the check engine light comes on
Learn what a flashing check engine light can signal, when to pull over and what to tell the technician before an engine diagnostic.
Spark Auto
Check the exact warning
Use your owner’s manual to identify the symbol. An oil-pressure or temperature warning needs a different response from a check engine light. Follow the instructions for your vehicle.
Take a flashing light seriously
A flashing check engine light can indicate a misfire. Pull over somewhere safe, check your manual and call for help before continuing. If the light stays steady, contact the shop promptly and mention any shaking, loss of power or other warnings.
Write down when it happened
Tell the technician whether the engine was cold or warm, whether you were accelerating and whether the light comes and goes. Leave any stored codes in place so the shop can read them during diagnosis.
What the code tells us
A scan identifies the system or condition the car detected. The technician can use that clue, your observations and further testing to narrow down the cause before quoting a repair.