What is normal for the check engine/eml light to stay on when starting?

 

When you start the car, the EML (i call it "email") light comes on for a few seconds as a check of the emissions system is completed and then it should turn off. If it stays lit while you are driving then a diagnostics code related to the emissions system has been stored and is available for reading if you have an OBDII reader (or at your dealer).