So I notice driving home from school today I have the check engine light on. I dont remember if I had it on driving to school but chances are I woudve noticed. I didnt drive like an idiot going to school either just for some info. It has around 2700 miles and I do drive fast somewhat if that matters. Long story short this is my first car and im kinda freaked about the light coming on. Should I be concerned? I have something I have to go later and I dont know if I should cancel my plans cause I woudnt want to drive it if it would damage my engine. Do I have anything to worry about or is this light just basic maintenance? Is it ok to drive it around for a bit until service day?

 

2700 ... get your oil changed ;) haha it should just be a reminder warning... if you are really that nervous just go to your toyota dealer, go to service, and ask someone to help you with it. theyll figure it out for you.

 

Your Maintanance is a different light so check in your book to see which one is actually lit. If its the check engine light stop by the dealer and get them to checl, Its a new car and youve got warranty to let them check it out..

Also one common thing is make sure your gas cap is on good sometimes that can trip the check engine light

 

+1 on the gas cap.

 

start by makin sure your gas cap is tight, then go ahead and drive wherever you need to go tonite and to school. it should go out after a while (it could be up to 50 miles i think, but idk). if that doesn't do it, go to advance auto or autozone and they'll read the code for free. and don't worry about ruining the engine, it could be a number of things, the check engine light just means the computer has detected something wrong in general, not always the engine itself.

 

^^^^

That's right- Check engine light comes on for many many many reasons but the easiest one to diagnose yourself is the loose gas cap one-

oh yeah and the amber lit MAINT REQ light should come on around 4,500 miles to remind you its time for an oil change (which is recommended every 5,000 mile intervals).

 

just be calm. shouldnt be a big deal

 

If it's not blinking, it's not serious. When the check engine light is blinking, pull over and get towed. That's something serious.

 

yeah i'd just take it to the dealer if its the engine light.. if its the maintenence light, thats just oil change stuff...

where did you buy your tc?

 

Have you installed a CAI or SRI lately? Or done any mods pertaining to the engine?

 

Thanks guys, no engine mods yet. I bought it from Westchester Toyota. I'll check the gas cap thing, may make sense cause my friend offered to get me gas yesterday and he was the one who filled it up at the gas station. But I dont remember it being on last night when he gased it up though.

 

You're under warranty, so go to the Dealer.

Problem solved.

 

The check engine light is usually illuminated for an emissions problem. If its steadily glowing, go to the dealer when you have time. You are under warranty, so you are OK.

 

lol i have freaked out 2, also my first car as well

 

I'm used to check engine lights... haha with the way I beat the hell out of my jeep, I actually put a piece of electrical tape over the light so I could stop looking at it.