MY ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON!, Can i get some feedback? imma newbie Options

[mathshop]

Hey, well im new to this forum, i own a 1997 celica st but i have been reading in here for quite some time now, but anywaise... to the problem....

a couple of hours ago, (around 9:30pm) i was driving home and than i notice this for quite some time now that, if im in 4 or 5th gear at around 30-40 mph, my car is lagging alot, i mean yes i shouldnt really be in those gears at those speeds, and yes i might lag due to the lack of power, but is it normal to lag that much? or is my car totally stripped out of power? I've notice this for quite some months now, due to the fact ive only owned the car for about a year. Im only 17 right now so i really couldnt notice it anywaise if it was happening earlier or not, however, as i was driving at like 45 mph in 5th gear, my engine light came one..... and now...i dont know what the problem is....

my car currently has 112XXX miles on it, do u guys just think it needs a tune-up? or do u think something from the engine is messed up? BTW i dont know if this matters or not, but when i smelt the oil dip, it smelt burnt, if that means anything lol.. im just quite worried because this is my 1st car, which i took full control over, and i dont want to lose my baby already .....well thanks anywaise for looking, and any feedback will help,

Cheng...

This post has been edited by mathshop: Jul 27, 2006 - 10:32 PM