Believe it or not, dashboard lights are not there for decoration. In fact, they can be a great source of anxiety, especially if you don’t know why one of the dashboard lights has been triggered. We all know about the check engine light and how scary it can be, but what exactly is the service engine soon light?
The service engine soon light is actually a friendly reminder from your car—a gentle nudge to let you know that there’s something up with the engine and it may need your attention.
It could be something minor, like a loose gas cap, or it could be more serious.
We’ll take a closer look at the service engine soon light and discuss what you should do if it turns on.
What is the Service Engine Soon Light?
Typically, the service engine soon light is a yellow or orange warning on your dashboard. It usually is an illumination of the words “service engine soon”.
It’s important to note that the service engine soon light doesn’t necessarily mean your car is about to break down in the middle of nowhere and leave you stranded.
More often than not, it just means there is something wrong with your engine, and it may require a simple fix.
It could simply mean that your car is due for regular maintenance. Of course, if you ignore the service engine soon light for too long, the problem could become more serious and expensive to repair.
So what should you do if the service engine soon light comes on? First of all, try not to panic!
Chances are, the fix is simple and inexpensive. You can either take your car to a mechanic or use an OBD-II scanner to diagnose the problem yourself.
Once you’ve identified what’s causing the service engine soon light, you can either make any necessary repairs yourself or have them done by a professional. In some cases, it may just be a matter of topping up fluids or replacing worn-out parts.
That said, the service engine soon light is not something to be ignored, but it can also be relatively easy to take care of. Just remember to stay calm and follow the steps outlined above.
Check Engine vs. Service Engine Soon
It’s important to note the difference between the check engine light and the service engine soon light.
The check engine light is usually a solid red color and indicates more serious issues with your car. It could mean anything from a faulty spark plug to a major emissions issue, so it is best to take your car in for repairs as soon as possible.
The service engine soon light, on the other hand, is usually a yellow or orange color and indicates minor problems that may still need to be addressed. It’s always better to have these issues taken care of sooner rather than later, but they don’t require immediate attention like the check engine light does.
How Long Can You Drive With The Service Engine Soon Light On
In most cases, you can still drive your car with the service engine soon light on.
That being said, it’s best to get it taken care of as soon as possible because the issue could become more serious and expensive if ignored for too long.
If you do decide to continue driving your car with the service engine soon light on, keep an eye out for any performance issues and be sure to drive safely.
So, the next time you see that service engine soon light come on, you don’t have to become a giant ball of anxiety—just take a deep breath and figure out what’s causing it. With a little bit of detective work and some help from your mechanic, you can get that light shut off in no time.