In short, no. Although a check engine light isn’t necessarily a reason to panic, you should never ignore any of the dashboard warning lights. Even if the problem doesn’t seem severe, ignoring your check engine light can void a warranty, decrease fuel efficiency, release pollutants into the environment, or cause unnecessary stress on your vehicle’s systems, leading to irreparable damage.

El check engine light is a part of your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics (OBD) system, the complex electronic system that monitors and analyzes your vehicle’s performance. If anything within your car isn’t working as it should, your vehicle will record a “trouble code” and light up the applicable warning light on the dashboard.

The check engine light is tied to the engine and the emissions systems, which includes a wide range of repairs. You can see the check engine light for something as minor as a faulty fuel cap or an expensive vehicle repair, such as a transmission replacement.