I have a 2004 TL with about 37,000 miles on it. On the way home from the office, the malfunction/check engine light went on. I tightened the gas cap when I got home. I chercked the owners manual to see if I should continue to drive the car-it was no help-told me it was probably nothing, but if it was something and I drove the car, repairs will be outside warranty. Nobody to talk to at the dealership over this weekend,
Anybody have an idea whether I can drive this car locally for the next few days w/out damaging the engine?

 

welcome to the forums. I would reccommend you to get it towed/or drive it to acura and let them figure out what is wrong. Do you have an extended warrenty? if so, you might have TLC where they will give you a rental if the car is in for warrenty servicing.

 

Rees...

I would say check you vital fluids (engine oil, trans fluid level, etc). If they are all OK, and the engine seems to be running normally, normal operating temp, and trans shifting normally, there is no reason to stop using the car. I would however, have it checked by the dealer as soon as you can. My experience with "check engine" lights has taught me that a multitude of sensors can turn that light on. Some are MAJOR problems, others, like you mentioned (loose gas cap) can turn them on. A brief misfire can do it. (fuel with moisture in it, a spark plug wire problem, etc.). I also have learned that you probably can continue to drive. Good luck. Hope it's nothing...

 

you could take the car to autozone where the check the code for free and tell you exactly what it is...my check engine light comes on from time to time...it flashes and goes away...its always the same thing for me..."running lean"

 

agreed. This has come in handy plenty of times for me with other cars. Just tell them you need to run an OBD II Scan, and they will give you the scanner, you go out, scan it, and take it back inside to them where they print off a little slip of paper with the code number and description. THis is the best way to do this for now since the dealership is closed, and they should still be open tomorrow at least until noon or so.