If your gas mileage goes down precipitously, get the diagnostics. Otherwise, leave it until you need to pass your State Inspection. It will have to be fixed then in order for you to pass.

In my area, there are some major auto parts stores that will read the codes for free, in the hope that you’ll buy whatever parts you may need to fix it.. Try calling some of the bigger stores around you to see if they offer this service.

Go to Autozone, they will hook it up to the computer and tell you what it reads free of charge. That way, if you go to a mechanic, you have a basic understanding of what it might be. The reading doesn’t tell you an exact answer but gives the mechanic (and yourself) an area they need to focus on.

That way they can’t take advantage of you and tell you it is something completely different and far more costly.

In addition to the advice above some lights are triggered by a slightly loose fuel cap. Chech your cap and if this is the case the light will shut off after another tank of gas.

We got our codes read for free at our local auto parts store too.

Put black tape over it

My check engine light is on because my car emitts too many bad gases into the air- cost me $65 to find that out.. I would definitely get it checked if you can do it for free, but (in my opinion) toyotas generally don’t have many engine problems so if it’s too much or you can wait until someone can do it for free I would.

Small piece of tape on the display should do the trick or maybe who knows…I’m going to go out on a limb here….CHECK ENGINE? No I guess I’m being overly cautious

Evidently emissions are NOT the only reason the check engine light comes on. The article below tells you how to read the codes.

http://www.engine-light-help.com/toyota-check-engine-light.html

But here is a hint-even if it went on because of emissions, you need to get the problem fixed. 1. You wouldn’t know if something more serious happened because you are driving around with the check engine light already on. and 2. None of us wants you spewing your noxious effluvia in our faces.

@galileogirl
Yes we certainly have enough noxious effluvia around these parts. ~_~

Mine has been on in my 2002 Escape for a month or two. The mechanic said it’s my PCV (?? PVC ??) valve. Car goes back in tomorrow (weather permitting) so I guess I will find out soon enough if that’s the case.

This is the time where I point out that purchasing the warranty was the best thing we ever did. When we were on a road trip in October, that happened to us, so we just went in to the nearest dealer, it was diagnosed and fixed, and we went on our way that same day, all under warranty.

This is why it’s important to have a good relationship with a mechanic or sevice department.

Check the security of you gas cap. If that doesn’t fix the problem take the car to a tech youve used before. They should scan the car for free with the understanding you’ll have them fix any problem discovered.

The main purpose of the check engine light (OBD, On Board Diagnostics) is to monitor emision control.

The light can be triggered by a single temporary condition (just one cylinder misfire)

But it can also inicate a malfunctioning sensor (throttle angle, exaust oxygen, crank angle, mass air flow, etc, etc..)

If one of these sensors are bad your car will not operate at spec efficiency.

Running the car in that state will hamper perfomance and waste fuel.

did you just pass a milestone milege, like 60,000? As I recall, there is an Oxygen sensor that needs to be replaced about 120,000, and the check engine light comes on automatically to get you to do it.
AAMCO will also tell you what the check engine light alarm is, and also for free.
My dad (famous automobile hero) used to call that the “Chuck Engine” light, letting you know when it’s time to chuck your engine.

@YARNLADY – I agree on the warranty. We just purchased a new-to-us Toyota (it was “used” with only 325 miles on it thanks to the dealers offers of three days and you can return the car for full money back if you don’t like it) and we have an 8-year, 100,000 mile warranty. With other new cars we have very much enjoyed the warranty saving us money on big expenses. But then, we tend to keep our cars a good, long time.

Get it checked! You could be seriously damaging your car!

Hobo is on the same page I am. Whenever I needed a codescan on an OBDII car (any car built after ‘96), Autozone was my first stop since it is free.

Your next step depends on what the scan results are. Write them down!

Sometimes though, it’s as simple as a loose gas cap.

Reset the battery.

@mexico That won’t do anything. If there is a problem, ignoring it won’t fix it.

As it turns out, I had an O2 sensor that had come loose. It cost me $20 to have it welded back into place and voila, problem solved! By the way, I did go to Autozone, as suggested, which helped narrow things down a lot. Thanks!

Awesome! Thanks for updating us!