Mom's 2003 Chevy Malibu bumpy and loud ride with check engine light on?

[CriMsoNMiSSinG]

My mom has a 2003 Chevy Malibu. She bought it with like $7k miles on it or something. She now has about $47k miles and has had it for almost 5 years. My dad always "fixes" the family cars (back when we all had Chevy's) constantly. But she certainly hopes to not have to buy a new one now. But it's as bad as ever.

Her check engine light is always on. And I don't know much else because I haven't driven with her since I moved out a few years ago. But I went with her somewhere yesterday and she turned her car on and it was shaking. She then put it in reverse and it was still shaking and bumping terribly. I guess the best way to describe it is when you put a baby on your legs and move your legs up and down like a "popcorn machine," like some people call it. And it's very loud. Basically like you're in a semi, but more bumpy, even just sitting there.

My dad says he changes the oil, but I don't believe him. He's known for saying he'll do something and 2 years later it still isn't done. He would always tell me he was changing my oil, and when I would say I can just take it to a shop if he's busy, he would get upset and yell that he can just do it. But I found out that from summer of 2005 until summer of 2008 I had not had an oil change, even though he told me he was doing it, and my car is completely trashed and I had to buy a new one (which means the oil is a likely problem). So I am taking my mom's car tomorrow to get an oil change when I visit the house. And hopefully I can get an appointment for a free inspection at a local place.

My dad has been saying for a few weeks now that he knows what it is and will fix it "tomorrow" but tomorrow keeps changing into weeks and then months really fast.

But do you have any suggestions on what I should say I think the problem is, when I go in for diagnostics?
Sorry, I'm an idiot. I have no idea why I put dollar signs in front of the mileage. I was just going over information on my bf trying to buy a new 2009 Loaded Jeep for $11k, so I guess I should stop trying to be in such a hurry when typing! My apologies.
Abdullah- Just because you can't read doesn't mean others can't.
Grow up and get a life because right now you're just a worthless bum who shouldn't even be alive.

 

[Bubba B]

Take it to Autozone and they will scan the car for trouble codes and tell you what's wrong with it.

 

[Kevin G]

I have an '02 Malibu and i can attest that it most likely needs an oil change. I've only seen the light come on twice and both times that was the culprit. It's an easy thing to forget but CRITICAL to your car running properly. Just for future reference it's best to get it done every 3months/3K miles (whichever comes first...its sounds like she doesn't drive it much but after 3 months it will not work that well even if you don't hit the 3K mark). I'm surprised if it lasted so long if that's the case though, because after going 4K over on mine it began having similar symptoms, though not as violent. But i could tell something was physically wrong.

Mine has ~125,000 miles and the only major fixes i've needed are new brakes and a new coolant container. It's a pretty reliable car if you take care of it.

P.S. Even if it is the problem, the check engine light won't go away immediately. It took mine about 24 hours before it went away (~25 or so miles of driving)