tWhen this light came on my dashboard, I used to throw my head back, close my eyes and whisper, “s***!” t The check engine light, also known as the MIL or maintenance indicator light, illuminates ...

When the check engine light comes on in a vehicle, it’s indicating that there is some issue with the car that should be checked out. It could be something minor, such as the gas cap not being screwed ...

When the check-engine light snaps on, it is not a suggestion, it is your car’s way of saying something in the powertrain or emissions system needs attention. I see it as an early warning system that ...

When your vehicle's check engine light (CEL) comes on, it's often a sign that something needs attention. But with over 20,000 parts working together in your car — many important for normal operation — ...

As great as cars can be for getting where you need to go as quickly as possible, they have some drawbacks. Most notable are the repairs that tend to come along with them, which can be every bit as ...

Although commonly referred to as the “check-engine light,” some cars may instead display the message “Service Engine Soon,” or show a yellow or orange outline of an engine, perhaps with the word ...

While your car can’t talk, it communicates with you using chimes, icons, and messages. One icon that you should never ignore is the check engine light. It turns on when the car’s onboard computer ...

Here are 2025's most popular questions and answers from The Journal's Car Doctor column, from rotating tires to oil changes.

The costs of buying a new or used car have climbed in recent years, and so has the average repair bill. If a vehicle purchase or major repair isn’t in the cards (or budget), maintaining the health of ...