My Car Did Something Weird | What Is Limp Mode and Failsafe Mode?

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what is limp mode or failsafe mode?

Limp mode or engine failsafe mode condition is activated when the vehicle computers recognize that there is a is a problem in the engine or the transmission system.

This safety system is designed to protect the engine and transmission from being damaged during extremely hot temperatures. Once limp mode engages, the engine will only be able to run at very low RPMs and be barely able to move.

Usually, when a car goes into failsafe mode the check engine light is illuminated on the car’s car instrument cluster.

When the check engine light is illuminated it is very important to find out what’s the cause of it. You can either scan your car with an engine code reader yourself or take it to a qualified auto repair shop.

can I drive my car in limp mode?

Driving a car in limp mode or failsafe mode is a highly dangerous thing to do especially if you are trying to thread the needle and make it home.

The short answer to this question is NO, DON’T YOU EVER TRY IT!

Even if you try your hardest to drive the car in failsafe mode, the cars computer won’t allow you to pass a certain speed OR rpm limiting you to only go somewhere around the range of 5 miles per hour.

symptoms of limp mode

Unable to accelerate to speeds over 5 MPH
Unable to accelerate to RPM over 3500 RPM

How to get a car out of limp mode

sometimes, and I will say this again sometimes you can get a car out of limp mode by using an engine code reader to clear the engine or transmission code that is causing the car to go into failsafe mode.

Be very aware that if you do successfully get the failsafe mode condition to go away, this does not fix your issue, and it may happen again.

what can I damage if I drive in limp mode or failsafe mode?

To continually drive while your car is in failsafe mode spells potential danger to the catalytic converter Another possible thing that can happen is you can overheat the engine by over-revving it while trying to drive it while in limp mode.

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