Flashing check engine light
Ease off the accelerator and pull over safely. A flashing check engine light while driving can signal a misfire severe enough to damage the catalytic converter.
What to do on the road
Find a safe spot away from traffic. Check the owner’s manual for your vehicle. If the light keeps flashing, the engine is shaking badly or the car is losing power, arrange roadside assistance.
What to record once parked
Note how long the light flashed and whether you were accelerating, climbing or idling. If you can scan safely, save the codes and freeze frame. This can help a shop reproduce an intermittent problem.
What if it went solid?
A solid light after a flashing episode still deserves attention. Tell the shop that the light flashed and describe the conditions. The stored codes may be easier to retrieve than the symptom is to reproduce.