Check Engine Light - help a newbie

[jambulance]

Hey, all, first post. A couple weeks ago I bought a 2001 V70 XC in pretty great shape, although a semi-high mileage (146k). I was driving today and the check engine light came on. I'm honestly pretty bad with cars, but really want to learn self-maintinance and care, so I want to nip this in the bud as soon as I can. Where should I check first?

[JRL]

The light, what else?
You need to get the code read before anything else can be done.
Not the best car to learn on, hard to work on, plus 01s can be daunting at best.

Buy yourself a code reader for starters.
Sometimes you may need to read stored codes that can only be read at Volvo or with a Vida Dice unit.
You may want to spend a couple of extra bucks and buy one of those instead of a generic code reader
Search VIDA DICE and read all about it!

[jambulance]

Thanks, I'll look into that

[Blazeahundred]

You should also start by changing the oil with its filter, and clean the airbox replace the air filter, replace the timing belt and get a fresh PCV system a lot of times its the those things that can turn the engine light on.

[JRL]

NONE of those will turn the CEL on