UK Car Repair: opel/vauxhall vectra instrument panel, vauxhall vectra, opel vauxhall

Question
I have just aquired a Opel/Vauxhall vectra 1.8i
2001 elegance 5 Door HB Auto/Petrol.

Upon driving for few miles I notice a red warning light on the panel illuninating which has sign of a car and a wrench tool in the middle.
This goes off once you stop and restrat, but comes again later.
The owners mannual does not illustrate this symbol,or does the fuse board/panel.
Rest off the instruments are ok.
Please give me a clue or an advice.

Thanking you,
Godfrey

Answer
Well, this is the service engine light. It can be on for many different reasons. One option could be that the car is equipped with the ability to track when the oil was last changed. This feature only works when it is serviced at a shop which has the required tool to reset the feature and make the light go out. This is common on a lot of cars and is not a huge deal, but you may want to see if you can acquire the tool from a dealer if you plan on changing your own oil. Another option could be that something is wrong with the engine and this is its way of telling you that it would like to see a mechanic. I would take it to a garage that will attach a Diagnostic Scan Tool to the car and find out exactly why it is not happy at the present moment. Ether ways, get it in, get it looked at, and get it fixed.


Regards,

John