Can Cold Weather Cause Check Engine Light to Come On?

Does your car’s “check engine” light come on very frequently? Are you also trying to comprehend the meaning of such frequent occurrences?

Additionally, are you also wondering whether or not cold weather is prompting the “check engine” light to come on?

Can cold weather cause the check engine light to come on?

Cold weather can definitely cause your car’s check engine light to come on and there are several reasons contributing to this phenomenon. Accordingly, steep or cold freezing weather, faulty sensors, lack of air in the tire are some of the reasons that contribute to turning the check engine light on.

It should not come across as a surprise that cold weather can actually confuse some sensors of your vehicles therefore, being knowledgeable about which car’s sensors are affected by cold weather can help you to surpass unnecessary incidents.

Toyota: 

If you have a Toyota car, chances are you may have faced some severe difficulties while driving your Toyota out in the cold weather.

Accordingly, this severe cold weather can cause the check engine light to come on in your Toyota and this thing can be very frustrating and misleading as you may start to panic without knowing whether the signal is a faulty signal or not.

BMW: 

Cold weather can definitely cause the check engine light to come on in a BMW car. This is because when the weather is in the freezing temperature, then you can witness your BMW’s sensor acting weirdly which is the signal that your car’s battery may not be in the best condition. 

Additionally, your BMW’s battery life is related to having the “check engine” light on because sometimes, the severe cold that affects the battery of your BMW car can also actually manipulate the “check engine” light.

Jeep: 

It is again no news that the “check engine” light of your Jeep can come on during tremendous cold weather. 

Additionally, the potential reason for the phenomenon is pretty simple which is that if you are driving your car in such steep and below freezing weather, then it is more than likely for your Jeep to have its check engine light on. 

Accordingly, you should also keep in mind that you need to be very careful while driving your car with the check engine light on and you should first get your car to a mechanic to get it fixed.

Chevy: 

If there is a sudden drop in the temperature or if it is a below-freezing temperature, then it is more than likely for your Chevy to have its check engine light on.

Additionally, another reason contributing to this factor is related to the car’s sensor. Steep and cold weather can actually temper with your Chevy’s check engine light sensor. 

Mini Cooper: 

Your Mini Cooper’s check engine light can definitely come on due to the cold and steep whether of the surroundings. 

In addition, this typically happens due to the sensor malfunction that is caused by the sudden drop in the temperature.

Volkswagen: 

Cold weather can definitely cause the check engine light to come on in a Volkswagen car. The reason behind this is due to the steep and freezing temperature of the surrounding.

In addition, when the temperature comes to such a low range, your Volkswagen’s engine takes time to warm up, and sometimes, due to this reason, the car’s battery may stop working and thus this can prompt the check engine light to come on. 

Mercedes: 

Not a lot of cars can be spared from being affected by the steep and cold weather and such is the case for the Mercedes as well.

Additionally, your Mercedes can have its check engine light on due to the manipulation that happens to the sensors of your Mercedes in freezing cold weather. 

Dodge: 

When the temperature is especially manifested in a single digit, it is more than likely for your Dodge to have its check engine light on. 

Accordingly, if it happens to your Dodge while driving, then you should be mindful to check your car’s fuel tank and engine’s battery as soon as possible. 

Subaru: 

Your Subaru’s check engine light can definitely come on when the temperature is below freezing point.

Moreover, if your Subaru’s engine does not start up properly and if the engine takes a lot of time to start up, then these are the fair signs that your Subaru’s check engine light may come on to show a false signal. 

Why does my check engine light come on in cold weather? 

There is a myriad of reasons that can contribute to making your car’s check engine light come on. Therefore being knowledgeable about the reasons can help you to act accordingly. 

Distorted Sensors:

If the temperature drops suddenly and if the temperature is very steep, chances are your car’s sensor will have malfunctions and will receive faulty signals.

Consequently, this will show that your car’s check engine light is on and flashing. When these disrupted and broken sensors show false signals, you should be mindful to inspect your car immediately.

Problems Regarding Gas Cap: 

Another reason why your car’s check engine light may come on during cold weather is due to the gas cap.

In addition, your car’s gas cap may come undone during cold weather and this will eventually prompt the check engine light to come on.

Slow Engine problem: 

When the weather comes to freezing point and especially when it snows during cold weather, your car’s engine will take time to warm up and to start and this will confuse the sensors of the car, and accordingly, your car’s check engine light may come on. 

Can cold weather affect car sensors? 

Cold weather can definitely affect your car’s sensors and this will not only be frustrating at times but it will also be misleading especially if the sensors or signals prove to be false.

In addition, cold weather by affecting the car’s sensor can dull your car’s engine and can make the car’s engine super slow which is why the car will take longer to warm up and to accelerate.

Moreover, when the temperature is very steep, this will manipulate and tamper with your car’s advanced safety options. 

Additionally, cold weather will also cause the check engine light of your car to come on. Accordingly, the sensors of your car will totally stop working altogether. 

Accordingly, you will also face some problems with your vehicles’ monitoring systems and parking sensors due to the sudden temperature drop in the atmosphere. 

Furthermore, other sensors will also go off or will be tempered a lot by the steep surrounding weather and one such sensor among many is the tire pressure monitor light which will also show a yellow warning sensor while being exposed to the freezing temperature. 

Is it safe to drive with the check engine light on? 

There are a lot of things you need to take into consideration before driving a car that has its check engine light on.

In addition, if your car’s check engine light is on while you are driving your car, then you should be mindful of not panicking rather you should park your car at the side of the road to inspect the problem more elaborately.

Moreover, if after checking your car, you do not seem to find anything out of the ordinary, then it is safe for you to keep driving. Accordingly, just to be on the safe side, you should have your car’s speed on a lower level. 

However, if you see that along with the check engine light, your car is showing the symptoms of overheating issues, and also if your car’s dashboard shows signs of low oil pressure, then it is a firm indication that it is not safe for you to drive the car and you should immediately get out of the car.

Although you can still drive for one or two miles, but you should be mindful to get your car checked as soon as possible. 

How far do you have to drive to reset the check engine light? 

How far you have to drive to reset the check engine light depends a lot on the state of the car and on the state of the engine as well. 

Accordingly, whether your car’s check engine light is on by a false sensor or it is on for real, you nevertheless need the sensor to go back to normal meaning you have to recalibrate the sensors.

In addition, as a general rule of thumb, you need to drive your car for thirty to a hundred miles to reset your vehicle’s check engine light. 

Final Thoughts

Your car’s check engine light can come on especially when the weather is below freezing degrees. Cold weather can actually manipulate or tamper with your car’s sensors which is why your car’s check engine light can turn on at times. However, you need to get your car checked as soon as possible.