The engine light came on while driving the car.

Buy an OBD2 (OBDii) reader and check the engine fault code history.
Wifi, bluetooth, or wired devices are available on ebay.

Brake Light. Make sure you are not driving with hand brake on. Check brake-fluid level. Top off brake fluid if low and make appointment to check brakes. Driving with brake light can be dangerous; deal with this soon. Call tow truck or drive carefully and slowly to shop.
ABS (antilock brake system) Light. Indicates either low brake-fluid level, stuck brake caliper or faulty ABS. Check brake fluid and make appointment to get brakes checked. Call tow truck or drive carefully and slowly to shop.
Oil Light. Either engine is very low on oil or there is no oil pressure. Pull over and turn off engine immediately. Check oil level and add oil if low. Turn engine back on to see if light has gone off. If oil light is still on, bad oil pump (no oil pressure) is likely. Call tow truck.
Check Engine Light. Car's computer senses engine problem. Difference in performance may not be noticeable, but make appointment to have car diagnosed. This usually cost around $65-$75 to do. OK to drive. If problem is serious, computer may switch to limp-home (low-power) mode and you won't have option of waiting to bring car into shop.
Air Bag Light. Get air bags checked. Problem could prevent them from activating in accident. OK to drive, but not safe in accident.
Battery Charge Light. Alternator is not charging. OK to drive, but turn off any unneeded electrical devices (radio, heater, defroster) and avoid starting engine more than necessary. Bring car into shop soon to avoid getting stranded. When alternator is not charging, battery loses charge and car stops working.
Emissions Lights (O2 sensor, EGR, check emissions). Depending on car model, these lights may indicate problem with emissions sensor or may light up at certain mileage, usually 60,000 miles (100,000 km). Get sensors checked. OK to drive. If problem exists, car might get poor gas mileage.
OBD Tools 365 Days Shop

Engine light is there to warn you of a problem with your engine sustem. \you can still drive but you need to attend to engine sooner than later. Diagnose problem and rectify.

what is the make and model

As long as the light is yellow and not red you are fine to drive . The yellow is just a caution light . If any red lights come on thats when you need to stop or not drive it

You should not drive a car if the check engine light comes on and you do not know what the problem is. In some cases the check engine light means a serious problem and I know could cost a lot of money to repair. Mine came on and cost $800 dollars to repair as I tried to drive it.

A red light on the dashboard can mean you should stop driving right away, or you may have a little time before you have to bring your car into the shop. Know what's what so you don't get stuck.

1. Critical Warning Lights
   • 1 Brake Light. Make sure you are not driving with hand brake on. Check brake-fluid level. Top off brake fluid if low and make appointment to check brakes. Driving with brake light can be dangerous; deal with this soon. Call tow truck or drive carefully and slowly to shop.
     
   • 2 ABS (antilock brake system) Light. Indicates either low brake-fluid level, stuck brake caliper or faulty ABS. Check brake fluid and make appointment to get brakes checked. Call tow truck or drive carefully and slowly to shop.
     
   • 3 Oil Light. Either engine is very low on oil or there is no oil pressure. Pull over and turn off engine immediately. Check oil level and add oil if low. Turn engine back on to see if light has gone off. If oil light is still on, bad oil pump (no oil pressure) is likely. Call tow truck.
     
   Maintenance Lights
   • 1 Check Engine Light. Car's computer senses engine problem. Difference in performance may not be noticeable, but make appointment to have car diagnosed. This usually cost around $65-$75 to do. OK to drive. If problem is serious, computer may switch to limp-home (low-power) mode and you won't have option of waiting to bring car into shop.
     
   • 2 Air Bag Light. Get air bags checked. Problem could prevent them from activating in accident. OK to drive, but not safe in accident.
     
   • 3 Battery Charge Light. Alternator is not charging. OK to drive, but turn off any unneeded electrical devices (radio, heater, defroster) and avoid starting engine more than necessary. Bring car into shop soon to avoid getting stranded. When alternator is not charging, battery loses charge and car stops working.
     
   • 4 Emissions Lights (O2 sensor, EGR, check emissions). Depending on car model, these lights may indicate problem with emissions sensor or may light up at certain mileage, usually 60,000 miles (100,000 km). Get sensors checked. OK to drive. If problem exists, car might get poor gas mileage.
     

I had the same problem, went to garage when it did start again they said no problem nothing we can do just keep driving

most auto parts stores offer a "free scan" -your car has a prob,it can ONLY be found by scanning it(dont hesitate!!)

My suggestion is to get the fault codes stored in the car's ecu read by a VW approved garage. That will tell them what "was" wrong. Once a fault has occurred the check engine light will probably stay on until the warning has been cancelled using VW software.
As for the grade of gas used in the car, the users manual will tell you that - it might also be written inside the filler cap.

I wouldn't recommend further use of "engine cleaner" - it might do more harm than good.

Go get the codes read and then you'll know for sure.

Hope this helps. D