Anti-Pollution Fault: Can You Still Drive Your Car?

If the anti-pollution warning light comes on, it could be due to a clogged DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). This occurs if you only use the car for short journeys, preventing the DPF from getting hot enough to clean itself. Driving at high revs for a prolonged period on a motorway or dual carriageway may clear the warning light. However, if the DPF is partially blocked, you may need to take it to a garage to have a forced regeneration.

If the anti-pollution light is yellow, orange, or amber, it is usually advisory, and you can continue driving but should get your car checked as soon as possible. A flashing engine management light is also usually amber and advisory. If the light is red, you should stop the car and call your garage immediately.

Driving with an anti-pollution fault can be safe, but it depends on the severity of the issue

An anti-pollution fault can be caused by a variety of issues, from a clogged Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) to a malfunctioning catalytic converter. While it is not advisable to continue driving with an anti-pollution fault, it may be safe to do so depending on the severity of the issue.

If the issue is minor, such as a faulty petrol filler cap or a clogged DPF, you may be able to continue driving your car without causing any serious damage. In some cases, you may be able to clear the fault by taking your car on a long drive at a sustained speed, allowing the DPF to reach a high enough temperature to burn off the built-up soot.

However, if the issue is more severe, such as a malfunctioning catalytic converter or a faulty oxygen sensor, continuing to drive with the anti-pollution fault could damage your car or increase harmful emissions. In these cases, it is best to stop driving and have your car towed to a garage for diagnosis and repair.

It's important to note that the severity of the issue may not always be apparent, and the only way to truly diagnose an anti-pollution fault is to have a mechanic scan your car's diagnostic codes. Additionally, driving with an anti-pollution fault can affect your car's performance, so it's best to have it checked out as soon as possible, even if it seems to be driving fine.

In summary, while it may be safe to drive with an anti-pollution fault in some cases, it's always best to err on the side of caution and have your car checked by a professional as soon as possible to avoid causing any further damage or increasing emissions.

A yellow, orange or amber engine warning light indicates a potential issue, but you can continue driving and book your car into a garage

A yellow, orange, or amber engine warning light indicates a potential issue with your car's engine performance. This colour is usually advisory, and you can continue driving your car, although you may experience reduced performance. It is recommended that you book your car into your local garage as soon as possible to have the issue diagnosed and addressed.

The engine warning light system is linked to the engine control unit (ECU), which monitors various sensors around your car. If one of these sensors detects a problem, it will relay that information to the ECU, which will then illuminate the engine warning light in a specific colour to indicate the severity of the issue.

In the case of a yellow, orange, or amber light, you are generally safe to continue driving but should look to have your car checked at your earliest convenience. This light could be indicative of a number of issues, such as an oxygen sensor malfunction, a loose or faulty petrol filler cap, catalytic converter issues, or a malfunctioning DPF diesel particulate filter.

It is important to note that continuing to drive with an illuminated engine warning light may cause further damage to your vehicle, depending on the underlying cause. Additionally, if the warning light is flashing or is accompanied by other warning signs, it is best to stop driving and seek immediate assistance.

A flashing engine management light is usually amber and indicates a potential issue that can be checked out by a mechanic at a later date

The engine management light, or EML, is linked to the engine control unit (ECU). When a sensor detects a problem, it relays the issue to the ECU, which then illuminates the engine management light in a specific colour. A yellow, orange, or amber light is the most common and is usually advisory.

If you're experiencing an anti-pollution fault, it's likely related to the automatic emission cleansing system. This could be due to a clogged Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), especially if you primarily drive in the city. To resolve this, you can try driving on a motorway or fast A-road for about 15-20 minutes to heat the catalytic converter and trigger a regeneration of the filter.

If the issue persists, you should take your car to a garage to have it diagnosed and repaired.

A red engine warning light indicates a serious problem and you should stop driving immediately

The engine warning light is linked to the engine control unit (ECU) and is designed to alert you to any issues with engine performance. When one of the many sensors around your car detects a problem, it sends a signal to the ECU, which then illuminates the engine management light in a specific colour to indicate the severity of the issue. A red light is the most severe, followed by yellow, orange, or amber, which typically indicates a potential issue and reduced performance.

There are a variety of potential causes for an illuminated engine management light, including:

• Oxygen Sensor malfunction
• Loose or faulty petrol filler cap
• Catalytic Converter issues
• Mass Airflow Sensor malfunction
• Faulty spark plugs/wires/ignition system
• Malfunctioning DPF Diesel particulate filter
• EGR valve failure
• Fuel Injector problems
• Fuel Pump problems

If you continue to drive with an illuminated engine management light, you risk causing further damage to your vehicle, which may result in costly repairs. Therefore, it is always recommended to stop driving and seek professional assistance as soon as possible.

In some cases, you may be able to take temporary measures to address the issue. For example, if the problem is related to the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), you can try driving on a motorway or fast A-road for at least 15-20 minutes, maintaining engine revs between 2000-3000 rpm. This can help to regenerate the filter by burning off harmful particles and turning them into soot. However, this is not a permanent solution, and you should still take your vehicle to a garage for a proper diagnosis and any necessary repairs.

A clogged DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) can be resolved by driving on a motorway in a lower gear to increase revs

A clogged Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) can be resolved by driving on a motorway in a lower gear to increase revs. This is known as an "Italian tune-up" and is a simple way of cleaning a diesel particulate filter. The DPF works in two stages: firstly, it filters out fine particles and collects them. These particles clump together to form a thick layer around the filter, which can eventually clog it. Secondly, the regeneration stage burns this layer of fine particles to destroy them.

To clean the DPF while driving, you need to drive in a way that encourages regeneration. The motorway is ideal for this, but simple roads will do. Keep the engine speed at a minimum of 2,500-3,000 rpm. If your car has an automatic gearbox, change gears in manual mode, increasing the number of revolutions. There's no need to go as far as the rev limiter, as that won't do any good. Drive in this mode for at least 10-30 minutes. This will trigger a regeneration cycle and your DPF will be cleaned.

Additives can also help to promote cycles by slightly lowering the temperature required for regeneration to take place, thereby optimising the life of the anti-pollution devices. This operation should be repeated regularly, ideally once every fortnight.

If your car has a clogged DPF, one of the first signs is usually a warning light on the dashboard. Other symptoms include reduced engine power, lack of revs when you press the accelerator, and dark smoke from the exhaust when accelerating.

Frequently asked questions