If the check engine light is on due to the evaporative system, does that need to be repaired or is it safe to drive without repairing it?
What is your question?
Hey we've spent thousands of dollars repairing this van we have, it's a 2010 Chrysler Town and Country. The repair place we bring it into recommended replacing the gas cap, which we did, and that in and of itself was expensive (about 100$). The question here is, if the check engine light doesn't go off on its own, is it safe to ignore it and just drive it? The mechanic we take it to and trust says that the light is on due to the evaporative system, and that if we are exhausted from the previous repairs on it, it should be safe to drive, but I just thought I'd ask to get a second opinion to be sure.
How long has your 2010 Chrysler Town & Country had this problem?
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Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team!
The short answer is yes. An evaporative system code, especially on a 2010 Chrysler Town & Country, often doesn’t affect the van’s performance or safety—just its emissions. It’s usually a small leak somewhere in the evap system, like a loose or faulty gas cap, and won’t hurt anything to keep driving. But if the van starts running poorly or you notice odd smells, then it’s worth revisiting. One last thought: as long as the CEL is on, there could be other emissions issues cropping up that you won't know about until the failure is addressed. Be aware that if you repair the evap system, there could still be a light on for something else!
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