Help what is wrong with my car? Is there anythint wrong with my car?

[Sugar100]

my car made a beep noise and a photo appeared under the p. What does that photo mean? It looks like a motor? the orange yellow thing under the P?

[WindAtMyBack]

You would have to look up the specific icon for your car. I can't tell what it is. It might be an engine icon. It could also be an oil can. If that's an oil can, don't drive the car.

Any error like that should trigger an error code in the OBD system. OBD = On Board Diagnostics. In the US, that system is required by federal law. Most car parts stores will read the code for free. The error code will give more information but will probably not tell you exactly what is wrong.

Do NOT ignore those warnings. It can potentially do serious damage to your car if you ignore that.

If you don't want to drive the car, there will be a way to read the code yourself without taking it anywhere. It's car specific so you have to look it up. There should be some videos on how to do it with your car.

In the meantime, check your oil level and other fluid levels. You owner's manual should tell you how to do it. You should be checking your fluid levels anyway, and doing it very regularly.

[Static_In_The_Attic]

• Emergency Break
• Service Engine / Check Engine

On your dashboard you have two of the above symbols.
Your emergency break is on & you also have a service or check engine symbol.
The symbol is not specific so if you have an auto parts store such as Auto Zone, Advanced Auto or Napa Auto Parts you can go there & tell them you got an error code on your dashboard & ask them if they can hook up their computer & give you the readout of what the code is & it will tell you exactly what is going on.

Also you might want to visit your local garage soon as well.

[Sugar100]

How do u remove the emergency brake? I went to AutoZone and they said nothing was found on the computer nothing is wrong with my car but they have basic scanner so go to mechanic. But I’m broke til the next 2 wks cannot afford pay mechanic rn nor borrow any money.

[Static_In_The_Attic]

According to your dashboard the emergency break is set so your have to release it. In addition when the vehicle is off you may want to pop the hood & start checking your fluids. Check your oil, windshield washer fluid, etc. one of them might be getting low.

[Sugar100]

I don't know how to check my oil. I think u just remove a stick right then twist it back inside?

[Kori1236]

That’s the check engine light. You may want to get it into the dealership or a shop to have them check the code. Could be something minor or major. All depends on how you maintain your car.

[Kori1236]

It also looks like you’ve got your emergency break on. That’s usually located to the right of your seat. But it does depend on the model of the car

[Sugar100]

Is it bad have emergency brake on? I’m confused as my brake is just a handle I move up or down when I park. That’s all it’s nothing bad. I’m talking of the little orange engine signal

[Kori1236]

I mean you typically only use the e break when parking you don’t drive with it. (Not saying you do) but with the check engine light you’ll still want to go to the dealership or a repair shop to have them scan the code and either fix the problem or clear the code.

[God_of_Thunder]

That's the "check engine" light, but it's very non-specific.

It's telling you that something, somewhere, is wrong with your car, but that's all. It could be something very simple, or a warning of a major mechanical failure.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to diagnose from a picture. You need to take it to a mechanic, so that they can read the warning codes off the car's computer.

[nolabels]

It looks like it's the Check Engine light.

It can mean many different things.

Loose or bad gas cap, defective oxygen sensor, many more.

Some auto parts stores will do a free scan to tell you what the problem is.

They're not always 100% reliable, but it's the easiest place to start checking it out.

[Sugar100]

Yesterday I checked my gas cap n it was super loose so I tightened it but the engine light is still on

[WhiteSteve]

Everyone has basically answered, but on a quick skim, I don’t think I saw anyone additionally mention that if it starts blinking, don’t drive it or you can really jack up the engine. But just the solid “check engine” light is still drive-able, but requires attention in the not-too-distant future.

[Sugar100]

The little photo icon isn’t blinking. I need drive tomrow n while week to work all day.

[exitseven]

The check engine light has gone on. It is most likely something is wrong with the emissions controls. You can drive it indefinitely but cannot get an inspection sticker without getting it fixed. Have a mechanic put a code reader on it and you can find out exactly what the problem is.

[andreasderjuengere]

It's unheard of that a warning light goes 'on' when all is fine :D

Yes: ''something'' is wrong. As others said already: this light does not give any specific information.

I assume for now that you have little knowledge about car technology (?), so I suggest to not challenge its performance, and see a 'car doctor' soon :)

You could, for starters, check if engine oil is ok. The temperature reading looks normal. Also listen to any unusual sounds from your motor.

[Sparkie460]

Something happened to your engine. It could be something simple and stupid or it could be something a little more costly. Some auto parts stores are able to scan it and tell you what is wrong or just take it to your repair shop. If that light starts flashing do not drive the car because something is seriously wrong and you risk damaging the motor beyond repair.

[RavVid]

It is clearly an alarm/warning sign. You can probably google to find out what it is or call a dealer. I'd a least check the oil level. Plus not drive it until you find out what it means. Hopefully someone here knows what the icon means.

[Sugar100]

We’ll I have to drive back home and work 10 hours all this week. So I would need check online what issue my car has. I’m broke too I can’t afford pay a mechanic rn to check my car

[RavVid]

At least the oil and top up if low. I can't really see the icon well enough.

Here is some guidance. vatire.com/.../

You could ring the manufacturer if the icon is not in the car manual. You do need to be aware there is potential for a damaged engine if you ignore.

[RavVid]

Potentially it could be a clogged air filter I guess which would not cost a lot. Temporarily removing it should turn the light off I guess. I'd take better opinions than mine though.

[Sugar100]

Oh I need change my air filter lol it’s like $20 huh. Keep forgetting. It’s like where my glove box is. It’s all filthy n grey dusty

[RavVid]

good luck!

[bowenw]

It's the engine waring light. It could something as simple as the gas cap not being tight. A mechanic can connect their error code reader to tell you exactly why it is displaying.

[Sugar100]

So I need to tighten my gas tank cap? it’s late now I cannot see a mechanic today

[bowenw]

That’s possibly what could be the reason that warning light is on.
If the car is running okay you should be okay to drive it until you can have it checked by a mechanic.

[Sugar100]

So I checked my cap and it was super loose lol

[bowenw]

That was likely the reason for the engine light. If the light did not go off you will have to have it reset by a mechanic. They will likely want to be sure the loose gas cap was the only reason for the light.

[Sugar100]

The light is still on. Will they charge me for checking what that light was?

[bowenw]

Probably, although I've seen some shops that advertise that they'll do it for free. You can buy your own engine warning code reader from an automotive shop (or Amazon) that will allow you to read the error codes and reset the light yourself. If you aren't comfortable doing that, someone that knows a little about cars should be able to help if they have a reader.

[Wallythewalrus]

I'm not a mechanic but a mechanic did tell me, that the "check engine" light, is mainly for emissions. It has nothing to do with a major engine issue.

[DryGermanGuy]

Drop that "mechanic" asap.

[Wallythewalrus]

@DryGermanGuy lol, let me clarify! I actually had work done this weekend and asked him. He said it's "usually an exhaust problem or something to do with emissions but could DEFINITELY be something more serious. Something internally or a bad catalytic converter". He said you should always have it checked to make sure. So, disregard my original statement.

[glennos89]

Yes go to a garage so they can plug a computer in to check what's exactly wrong. Probably nothing major because orange light means that you have a engine problem but you can still drive it to a garage

[slatyb]

That's the check engine light. Take it to a mechanic.

[dudeinohio]

Autozone or other auto parts stores will read your codes for free.

[Surely]

Usually safe to drive as long as it doesn’t start flashing. As said. Check all fluid levels and take it somewhere to find out what it means!

[User3191989]

it means check engine. that means take it in and see what's wrong with the engine

[Anonymous]

Check engine light, my dad's car has had that since he bought it and the previous owner as well for years now

[CuriousMufuxka]

Get a code tester. There like 25 bucks on Amazon.

[Yellovv]

Which car you have? Seem like your engine light is on, are you going tight time to your car service?

[Jennz6]

Something must be wrong