MIL

📖 YOUCANIC Automotive Glossary

MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) is the official SAE/OBD-II term for the check engine light. Steady on indicates a confirmed emissions-related fault. Flashing indicates severe active misfires that can damage the catalytic converter within minutes — reduce speed immediately. The ECU illuminates the MIL after a fault passes the two-trip detection threshold and extinguishes it after three consecutive passing drive cycles.

The MIL only covers emissions-related powertrain codes. ABS, SRS, TPMS, and other warning lights are separate systems requiring a scanner that reads those specific modules. The YOUCANIC UCAN-II reads all system codes beyond the basic MIL-related engine codes.