Can I drive with this?
Choose the symptom or warning light, and optionally your vehicle and any code you have read. You get CarFaultIQ's driving guidance for it, the signs that mean stop, and the records for your vehicle.
Whatever this page says: stop driving if there is smoke or fire, the brakes or steering stop working normally, a red warning light or flashing check-engine light appears, or the temperature gauge reaches the top.
Tell us what is happening
Level 4 of 5
Usually OK for short-term driving — diagnose soon
This is usually not an immediate driving risk, but it should not be ignored. Book an inspection.
- Symptom The petrol engine runs more than it used to
Why this result
- CarFaultIQ's page for "The petrol engine runs more than it used to" gives: Usually OK for short-term driving — diagnose soon. Read the guidance
This guidance is CarFaultIQ editorial content, not a diagnosis. The source page gives the full explanation.
Your vehicle and year add context below but do not change the level: the level comes only from the guidance for the symptom and code.
Stop driving if
- Not a safety issue. The vehicle continues to operate, simply with less electric assistance and higher fuel use.
Sensible next step
Book an inspection at your next opportunity.
What to check first
- Compare against the same season and route rather than against a summer baseline
- Check for any hybrid system warning message
- Note whether the change was gradual or sudden — sudden changes are more likely to be a fault than degradation
- Have the hybrid battery health and system status checked
General guidance from CarFaultIQ's published pages, not an inspection of your car. It cannot see what a mechanic or a diagnostic scan would. If anything feels unsafe, stop and get help.