Consumption rises when the engine is not running in its intended range: not enough air, a leaking injector, a clogged particulate filter. The electronics see this through their sensors before you notice the number on the trip computer.
Fuel is not arriving in the right amount or at the right pressure. It shows up first on climbs and under load.
You will most likely stall out on the road, and may not restart on the shoulder. A clogged filter or water in the tank you can nurse to a shop; a failing injection pump you cannot.
That said, the manufacturer flags this code as critical — if in doubt, it is safer to stop and check on the spot.
Check the fuel filter and water trap, drain the water. In cold weather, suspect fuel waxing.
The answer depends on the code, not the light. A yellow light is a warning; a red one means do not move. But even under a yellow light there are faults that require stopping right away — low oil pressure, overheating, lost brake pressure. Enter the code — the reference will tell you plainly whether to keep driving or stop.
Know the code number? Type it into the search — or paste the whole list from the scanner and we will show which fault is the real one.