Is it safe to keep driving?

Ease off the gas and get off the road when it’s safe. A severe misfire can overheat and destroy the catalytic converter.

Usually OK to keep driving short-term. Get the code read soon, before a small fault turns into an expensive one.

Pull over safely and stop the engine. Running it with low oil pressure can seriously damage the engine.

Turn off everything you don’t need and drive straight to a shop, or pull over. The car is running on what’s left in the battery and can stall.

Treat it as a brake problem: check the brake fluid and have the brakes inspected before you keep driving.

Your regular brakes usually still work, but the wheels can lock in a hard stop. Drive carefully to a shop soon.

The car drives normally, but the airbags may not work properly in a crash. Have the system checked right away.

Fine to drive. Tighten the gas cap until it clicks; the light can take a few days of driving to go off.

Treat it as a brake failure in progress. If the pedal sinks or you have to pump it, pull over when it’s safe and have the car towed.

The pads may be worn to the metal and cutting into the rotors. Get the brakes inspected right away.

Often the pads’ built-in wear indicator. Have the pads checked soon, before they wear down to metal.

Usually unevenly worn front rotors. Get it looked at soon; a sticking caliper or loose parts can feel the same.

One side is braking harder, often a sticking caliper or a restricted hose. Have the brakes checked soon.

Pull over, turn off the A/C and shut the engine off. Never open the radiator cap while it’s hot.

Likely a coolant leak. Watch the temperature gauge, check the coolant level once the engine is cold, and get the leak found soon.

Usually OK to drive if the temperature gauge stays normal and you can keep the windshield clear. Check the coolant level once the engine is cold; low coolant means a leak. If the gauge climbs, pull over.

OK for short trips, but get it fixed soon. A thermostat stuck open makes the engine run cold: worse fuel economy, weak heat and more wear. If the needle ever climbs past normal, pull over.

Fine to drive once the glass is clear, but not before. Defrost, A/C on and fresh air (not recirculate) clear it fastest. A greasy film with a sweet smell points to a leaking heater core: get that checked soon.

Best not to keep driving it. A misfire can damage the engine and the catalytic converter.

One or more tires is well under pressure. Check all four with a gauge and fill them to the pressure on the driver’s door-jamb sticker.