If the engine light is on and steady, and the car feels normal, you can usually drive it gently for now, but book it in soon. If the light is flashing, or the car is running rough, losing power or overheating, ease off, pull over when it's safe and get it checked straight away.
The light itself doesn't tell you what's wrong. It tells you the car's computer has noticed something and saved a fault code. Reading that code, and then finding the actual cause, is the job.
What does a steady engine light mean?
A steady amber engine light (it usually looks like an outline of an engine) means the engine management system has spotted a fault that isn't an emergency right now. Common causes include a sensor reading out of range, an ignition or fuel problem, an emissions part not working as it should, or something as small as a fuel cap that isn't sealing properly on some cars.
Some of those are minor. Some get worse, and some quietly use more fuel or wear other parts while you drive around with them. You can't tell which from the driver's seat, so don't leave it for months.
What to do:
- Check the fuel cap is on and clicked tight, if your car has one.
- Notice anything else: rough idle, hesitation, a smell, a noise, higher fuel use.
- Book in within a week or so, and tell us what you noticed.
What does a flashing engine light mean?
A flashing engine light usually means the engine is misfiring badly. Unburnt fuel can then reach the exhaust and overheat the catalytic converter, which can damage it quickly. Owner's manuals generally say the same thing: avoid high speed and have it inspected as soon as possible.
What to do:
- Ease off the accelerator and avoid heavy loads, hills and motorway speeds.
- Pull over when it's safe.
- Call us on 09 415 6595 and we'll tell you the best way to get it here.
Is it the engine light, or a different warning light?
Worth checking, because the colour matters. Red warning lights generally mean stop. The red oil pressure light and the red temperature light are the big two: if either comes on while you're driving, pull over when it's safe and switch the engine off. Don't drive on with those.
Amber lights generally mean get it checked soon. Green and blue ones just tell you something is switched on. We cover the common ones in What do the dashboard warning lights mean?
Does the WOF check warning lights?
From 1 November 2026, the WOF also checks that no warning lights are showing for driver-assist systems, such as automatic emergency braking or lane keep assist, on cars that have them. Whatever light is on, it's better fixed before your WOF than found during it.
More on what else changed: New WOF rules from 1 November 2026.
Quick questions
The light went off by itself. Am I in the clear?
Maybe. Some faults come and go, and the code is often still stored. If it came back on, or you noticed anything odd, it's worth a check.
Can I just clear the code?
You can clear it, but that doesn't fix anything. If the fault is still there, the light comes back, and you've lost the clue.
Do you check the engine light in a service?
Yes. Our Platinum service includes an engine management scan. If it finds a fault, we tell you what it is and price it before doing anything.
Engine light on? Albany car diagnostics
Plugging in a scanner gives a code. A code is a clue, not an answer. The same code can come from a failed part, a wiring fault or a vacuum leak, and replacing parts on a guess is how perfectly good parts end up in the bin.
Our $89 diagnostic reads the codes and then tests for the cause. You get a plain answer and a price before we start any repair, and the $89 is credited against the repair if we do it. Nothing goes ahead until you've approved it in writing.
Midas Albany, 3C Saturn Place, Albany. Family owned since 2004, MTA Assured. See our car diagnostics.
Call Robin on 09 415 6595, book online, or request a callback. Monday to Friday 7:30am to 4:30pm, Saturday 8am to 12pm.
Written by the Midas Albany team.