There are various reasons why the engine check light will come on.

When it comes on, it usually means there is something wrong with your car engine, intake, exhaust or even the ECU.

Usually, the last modification done to the car, for eg. a change of air filter from drop in filters to open pod might indicate a leakage in the connecting tubes.

If you recently installed a piggyback to the ECU, the engine check light might light up too, indicating a problem with either the wiring or the tuning of the piggyback.

One good way of knowing what problems the car is suffering from is to get hold of a OBD II scanner (for newer cars). This enables the user to plug into a OBD port, usually located at the driver side underneath the steering wheel and read off the error code generated wither on a hand held device or a laptop. Generally, this scanner do not cost much (Maybe about USD100-USD200 depending on functions). Some even have nifty functions like able to read the air fuel ratio at the exhaust, throttle position, air flow at the MAF sensor, etc.

If you are not so gadget savvy or do not like the idea of getting your hands dirty, a sure way is to send the car in to the local workshop for some diagnostics.

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