The check engine light comes on in my car every so often. It freaks me out. I started driving back in the 1950\u2019s when \u201cIdiot Lights\u201d first appeared on the dashboard, replacing gages. Instead of an oil pressure gauge that showed when oil pressure was getting too low, a red light came on. The same thing with engine temperature, both lights signaled \u201cDANGER\u201d – pull over and shut off the car or your engine will blow up! <\/p>\n
So, us old guys are programmed to react when a light on the dash comes on. It signals trouble. These days we still have \u201cidiot lights\u201d in the form of a yellow engine icon. It tells us that something isn\u2019t working right, but won\u2019t say what it is. Our first reaction is to go nuts. Then, we remember it\u2019s something minor like a malfunction in the emission control system; we don\u2019t need to panic unless the light is blinking. <\/span><\/p>\n Knowing that doesn\u2019t help, by the way. We get perturbed whenever we see that yellow icon. Even the warning that the air is low in a tire is an annoyance. To avoid the aggravation, many of us cover it up with a piece of black electrical tape. Out of sight, out of mind. <\/p>\n