My "Check Engine" light has come on twice while my girlfriend was driving!

[Benski]

My 96 4Runner has a manual transmission and the check engine light has come on twice while my girlfriend was driving. I reset it, and when I drive it the light stays off. Does "Rhoda" not like the way my girlfriend drives her? Could it be coincidence? I warm it up, go easy on the clutch and keep the rpms in the optimum range. Could someone driving at too low rpms or bogging the engine cause the check engine light to come on?

 

[gmcmanus663]

My 96 4Runner has a manual transmission and the check engine light has come on twice while my girlfriend was driving. I reset it, and when I drive it the light stays off. Does "Rhoda" not like the way my girlfriend drives her? Could it be coincidence? I warm it up, go easy on the clutch and keep the rpms in the optimum range. Could someone driving at too low rpms or bogging the engine cause the check engine light to come on?

I don't know how much help this will be because I don't know why, but on my first gen (older vehicle so reasoning might be different), there were a few times when I was learning stick that I bogged the engine quite a bit and it came on briefly, but never stayed. Is yours staying? Maybe bogging it enough throws the computer off and you get a code. Just my experience (which is little)

 

[JohnMc]

What was the code?

 

[spazzyone]

My 96 4Runner has a manual transmission and the check engine light has come on twice while my girlfriend was driving. I reset it, and when I drive it the light stays off. Does "Rhoda" not like the way my girlfriend drives her? Could it be coincidence? I warm it up, go easy on the clutch and keep the rpms in the optimum range. Could someone driving at too low rpms or bogging the engine cause the check engine light to come on?

What was the code?

Like JohnMc said, what's the code?

How long between them coming on? It could be the same code, but that your system cycled in between her driving it so it came back on.

 

[baja1]

how do know she's bogging it, maybe she's red lining it! :eyebrows:
sounds more like the way chicks drive em!

 

[jman11788]

I'm guessing there's a misfire on one of the cylinders. Girls tend to be heavy footed and if you push the engine hard enough with one of them missing the CEL will come on. When's the last time it's had a tune up?

 

[mtbtim]

Don't let her drive it anymore. Problem solved. :thumb3:

I only let my girlfriend drive my rig when it's absolutely necessary which is very rare.

 

[eatpasta]

What was the code?

Your truck knows...

ound:

the light is its way of saying help!

Yea, I let my ex-GF drive my Jeep........


......once

 

[Benski]

She is not hot footed on it. I usually keep the rpms between 2 1/4 (2250) and 3 1/4 (3250). I notice she lets it drop or stays in a higher gear while slowing down and then accelerates when the rpms are down as low as 1 1/4 (1250). I haven't checked the codes, I just reset it, it has only been on twice. I drive a long ways to go ride my dirt bike and I'm tired when I'm done, so I have her drive back...

 

[Tyler James Inc]

My "Check Engine" light has come on twice while my girlfriend was driving!

I only let my girlfriend drive my rig when it's absolutely necessary which is very rare.

Just curious- why?
My wife is a much better driver than I am. And by "better", I mostly just mean slower. Er, less fast?
Either way, she's never been in an accident. Only been driving for 13 years, but I believe most at-fault accidents happen within the first- or last- couple years of ones driving career. 4 of her 6 cars have been manual transmission. Her 335i was a 6 speed manual, twin turbo, and tuned 340hp.
Maybe she's an exception, but she's really all I know, and that's why I am asking. It doesn't make sense to me to not want your GF/wife to drive your rigs. I can't lie, she looks damn good pullin up in my 'runner [emoji41] That also said- in the 10 years we've been together- I've only been passenger to her 5 times. This is including in "her" cars.
To the OP- it would only make sense to look at the code before you cleared them, so I assume you checked.
That could definitely help narrow down the reason for your check engine light being on.

 

[RonJR]

Seriously, 1250 is too low for full throttle. The peak cylinder pressures go way up and you risk knocking or blowing a head gasket. Give her some loving but firm instruction to downshift when accelerating to keep rpm's above 2000 when the pedal is on the floor. Plus, it will accelerate so much faster.

 

[kolelt]

Don't let her drive it anymore. Problem solved. :thumb3:

I only let my girlfriend drive my rig when it's absolutely necessary which is very rare.

I knew I will find this comment when clicking this thread. Lmfao. Have to love the humor on this forum.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

My "Check Engine" light has come on twice while my girlfriend was driving!

Who said full-throttle?!
I'm also betting it's related to the low-RPM in higher gears. That's a recipe for detonation.

 

[theesotericone]

 

[pauldub]

You reset it without reading the codes??????

 

[mtbtim]

Just curious- why?
My wife is a much better driver than I am. And by "better", I mostly just mean slower. Er, less fast?
Either way, she's never been in an accident. Only been driving for 13 years, but I believe most at-fault accidents happen within the first- or last- couple years of ones driving career. 4 of her 6 cars have been manual transmission. Her 335i was a 6 speed manual, twin turbo, and tuned 340hp.
Maybe she's an exception, but she's really all I know, and that's why I am asking. It doesn't make sense to me to not want your GF/wife to drive your rigs. I can't lie, she looks damn good pullin up in my 'runner [emoji41] That also said- in the 10 years we've been together- I've only been passenger to her 5 times. This is including in "her" cars.
To the OP- it would only make sense to look at the code before you cleared them, so I assume you checked.
That could definitely help narrow down the reason for your check engine light being on.

Why? Because I'm a much better driver than she is and probably much better than 99% of the women on the road. Just because somebody hasn't had an accident doesn't make them a skilled driver. I've been driving for 37 years. I can't count how many times I've avoided accidents because I was anticipating what the driver's around me were going to do and I was ready to react and had an out. I'm a aggressive driver but I practice defensive techniques by keeping a high focal point looking ahead for hazards and watching next to me and behind me.

I also have the experience of driving a fire engine code 3 through traffic which takes a whole different level of concentration and skill to avoid idiot drivers and safely get myself and my crew safely to a call.

Finally, I'd have a really hard time forgiving her if she wrecked my rig. So, to preserve the relationship, I don't let her touch the truck unless it's absolutely necessary.

 

[theesotericone]

Why? Because I'm a much better driver than she is and probably much better than 98.3857% of the women on the road. Just because somebody hasn't had an accident doesn't make them a skilled driver. I've been driving for 37 years. I can't count how many times I've avoided accidents because I was anticipating what the driver's around me were going to do and I was ready to react and had an out. I'm an aggressive driver but I practice defensive techniques by keeping a high focal point looking ahead for hazards and watching next to me and behind me.

I also have the experience of driving a fire engine code 3 through traffic which takes a whole different level of concentration and skill to avoid idiot drivers and safely get myself and my crew safely to a call.

Finally, I'd have a really hard time forgiving her if she wrecked my rig. So, to preserve the relationship, I don't let her touch the truck unless it's absolutely necessary.

You and I have both had EVOC training. Eye lead time is something most folks don't even know about much less consider when driving. It's saved my ass more times then I can count. Situational awareness also comes from the training you have had. Again, not something most people are doing. Those are the things that make you a much better driver. Training man.

My rig is also my wifes. She can drive it whenever she wants. I've tried my best to install a little EVOC in her. Giving her the training to not wreck it. With that said though, if where in the rig together it's always me at the wheel. lol

 

[reelamin]

My 96 4Runner has a manual transmission and the check engine light has come on twice while my girlfriend was driving. Could it be coincidence?

Seriously?? Bring her by and Ill check the oil for you....they call that a clue even today. LOL

 

[reelamin]

You and I have both had EVOC training. lol

What is EVOC training? I personally thing good driving is about experience and paying the fack attention to everything. I was lucky and grew up on a farm, and was sliding go karts, MC's, tractors, snow machines, literally for as long as I can remember. I think I am a pretty good driver, but no question my reactions are slower as I age.

I have wrecked quite a few rigs...every single time I was driving like a f'n maniac. I'll have to dig out my TA pics (pre digital) flipped it six times end for end...troopers report said I was going +130 when I left the pavement. I know the road, the car, and I'm guessing closer to 100 not 130.

When I drive sane...no question I know I am safe. I have this thing with stupid...hard to kick.

 

[theesotericone]

What is EVOC training? I personally thing good driving is about experience and paying the fack attention to everything.

EVOC stands for Emergency Vehicle Operations Course. It's a standard course for all fire, police and EMS personal to take. It relies heavily on eye lead times and situational awareness. Most drivers use a "safe following distance" but don't really look more than a few seconds down the road. One of EVOC's main principles is a 12-15 second eye lead time. Meaning your looking 12 -15 seconds ahead of where the vehicle is. There's a lot more to it than that but the eye lead time is the most important part of it IMO. That allows you to see the situation and adjust to it, rather than be part of it. I haven't been in the Fire Dept. in 15 years now but I still use that training every time I drive.

Experience is also something that plays a role. Remember though: