Modern cars are equipped with a variety of warning lights on the dashboard that indicate any potential problems or malfunctions in your vehicle. These lights can alert you to issues ranging from minor problems to serious safety concerns. Understanding what each of these warning lights means can help you identify the problem and take action quickly to prevent further damage.
When driving, it is important to pay attention to your car’s warning lights as they can indicate various issues that need to be resolved promptly. To ensure your safety on the road, it is crucial to understand what each warning light means and take appropriate action.
To help you with this, we have created an A to Z guide of car warning lights that can appear on your dashboard. From “ABS” to “check engine,” our guide will provide you with a clear understanding of each warning light and what it indicates.
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A Comprehensive Guide to Your Car Warning Lights
The dashboard warning lights in your car are critical indicators of your car’s health. They communicate potential issues with your vehicle’s performance and safety systems, and ignoring these warnings can lead to more severe problems and even accidents.
Understanding what each warning light means is vital to keeping your car in top shape and avoiding costly repairs. It’s essential to know the color, icon, and message that each warning light represents so you can take appropriate action when necessary.
Understanding the Different Types of Warning Lights
There are several different types of warning lights that you may encounter on your car dashboard. Some of the most common types of warning lights include:
- Indicator lights, which notify drivers of features that are currently active or in use, such as high beams or cruise control.
- Warning lights, which alert drivers to potential issues with their vehicle’s performance or safety systems, such as low oil pressure or an overheating engine.
- Service lights, which remind drivers that it’s time for regular maintenance or that a specific service is due.
- Informational lights, which provide drivers with general information about their car’s systems, such as fuel levels or tire pressure.
From A to Z, here’s a list of some common car dashboard lights and what they mean:
ABS/Anti-Lock Braking System
This light indicates an issue with your car’s anti-lock braking system. This is a critical safety feature, and you should have your car serviced as soon as possible.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking under severe braking. If you see this symbol on your dashboard, get yourself to the garage.
Airbag
If the airbag warning light turns red, it can mean there’s a malfunction with one of the airbags. As they are one of your car’s most important safety features, you should stop as soon as possible and take your car to the garage.
If you see an amber warning light, this will appear when there is no one sitting in the front passenger seat and because of this, it will not deploy in the event of an accident. But when someone does sit it in the passenger seat, this warning light will disappear, and the airbag will deploy in an accident.
Battery Warning Light
The Battery Warning Light indicates that there’s an issue with the charging system. This could be caused by a faulty battery, alternator, or starter. If the light comes on, it’s important to have your vehicle checked as soon as possible, as a dead battery can leave you stranded.
Brake Pad Monitor
This symbol means that the system has determined the brake pads are too thin, and they need changing.
It is safe to drive with this warning light on for a short amount of time. However, the car should be taken to a garage as soon as possible.
Brake System/Brake Fluid
The Brake Warning Light indicates that there’s an issue with the braking system. This could be caused by worn brake pads, a faulty brake system component, or low brake fluid levels. If the light comes on, it’s important to have your vehicle checked as soon as possible, as faulty brakes can be dangerous.
Broken Bulb
This warning symbol indicates that a bulb in one of your lights needs replacing. As it is illegal to drive with a faulty or broken headlight, it’s important to change the bulb as soon as you can.
Change Oil
This dashboard light will notify you that your engine oil needs changing. You can do this yourself by checking your owner’s manual, and it is advisable to do it when you can to avoid causing engine damage.
Cruise Control
The cruise control symbol will light up if the system has been turned on. Cruise control helps drivers to maintain a constant speed.
If the light is orange, a speed hasn’t been chosen yet. If the light turns green, a speed has been selected.
DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)
This warning light usually affects truck drivers and indicates that the DEF needs changing.
Whilst it is safe to drive with this symbol showing, you should avoid doing so if you can. The reason is that the DEF reduces the emissions produced by a diesel engine.
Doors Ajar
This dashboard symbol is visible when the system detects one of the doors isn’t closing properly. On certain cars, it will also indicate which door is open. So, when it is safe, stop the car and close the open door.
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
A DPF is found in diesel cars and is used to capture exhaust soot, which reduces emissions.
The DPF warning symbol displaying on your dashboard could mean the filter needs changing. To make sure it doesn’t try driving around for ten minutes at high speeds (over 40mph), but if this doesn’t fix the problem, take your car to a garage, as there may be damage that has been caused to the engine.
Electronic Throttle Control
If this warning light comes on, it suggests that the accelerator is faulty. It is best to get it checked quickly at a local garage.
Engine Cooling System
The Coolant Temperature Warning Light indicates that the engine is overheating. This could be caused by a faulty thermostat, a leaking radiator, or a blocked cooling system. If the light comes on, it’s important to turn off the engine and let it cool down before checking the coolant level and having the vehicle inspected by a mechanic.
Check Engine
The Check Engine Light is one of the most common warning lights that you’ll see on the dashboard. It indicates that there is a problem with the engine or the emission control system. This light could be caused by a variety of issues, ranging from a loose gas cap to a serious engine problem. If the light comes on and stays on, it’s best to have your vehicle checked by a mechanic.
Engine Oil Pressure/Level
The Oil Pressure Warning Light indicates that the engine oil pressure is low. This could be caused by a variety of issues, including a faulty oil pump, low oil level, or a clogged oil filter. If the light comes on, it’s important to check the oil level and have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic.
It is advisable to go to the nearest garage or petrol station and get the engine oil level checked. If after filling up with oil the light still shows, contact a breakdown service or garage immediately.
Fog Light
This symbol means your fog lights are on.
Fuel Level
This indicates the fuel level is low and you need to go to a petrol station and refill.
Glow Plug
This warning light is found in diesel cars and if it illuminates, it suggests that the plugs are warming up.
If this happens, the engine should not be started until the light goes off. If it starts flashing, it means that an issue has been detected, which is when you need to take your car to the garage to get checked.
Overdrive
If this light comes on and stays on, then all is well as this means the overdrive is off.
If the light is blinking it means that there is something wrong with the car’s transmission, and you will need to visit a mechanic.
Petrol Cap
This symbol means that the petrol cap has not been secured correctly. The best practice is to pull over, when it is safe, and make sure it is correctly fastened.
Power Steering System
On hydraulic power systems, this warning light can indicate low fluid levels.
In a car with an electric system, restarting the engine can often turn the light off. When the power assist is disabled, steering can become difficult. If this happens, have your vehicle checked by a professional engineer.
Rear Windscreen Heater
This warning light means that the rear defroster is turned on to clear moisture and condensation, which improves visibility. A flashing light can indicate a potential deeper issue.
Reduced Power
Also known as ‘limp home mode,’ this warning light means the onboard computers have detected a potentially serious fault, which has meant the engine’s power has been reduced to prevent further damage.
To fix this problem, you need to go to a garage immediately.
Seatbelt
When this symbol lights up, it means one of the passengers does not have their seatbelt on. A chiming or beeping sound may accompany the light. If you see this warning symbol, make sure everyone has their seatbelt fastened correctly.
Security Warning Light
When this warning light is lit up, it indicates an issue with the anti-theft system.
While it is safe to drive with this symbol showing, you should get your car checked at a garage as soon as possible to avoid any potential security issues.
Service Vehicle
This symbol may come on when your car detects a fault that requires professional maintenance. Whatever the reason, get your car checked to ensure there are no serious issues.
Traction Control
The traction control system helps your vehicle in difficult conditions. If the light switches on automatically, it has detected a loss of traction.
If the light does not illuminate in slippery conditions, it is best to get the car looked at, as there may be a fault with the system.
Traction Control Malfunction
If this symbol ever lights up, it means that your traction control system is not functioning correctly.
If this happens, get this looked at as soon as possible, to ensure your car will be safe to drive on slippery surfaces.
Transmission Failure
This car warning light means that the automatic transmission system has failed. Automatic transmissions are expensive to replace and the longer you drive with a fault, the greater the damage you can cause.
You should get your car checked as soon as you can, to minimize any further damage.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Warning Light
The TPMS Warning Light indicates that there’s an issue with the tire pressure monitoring system. This could be caused by a faulty sensor or low tire pressure. If the light comes on, it’s important to check the tire pressure and have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic.
Stop at a petrol station or garage to check the pressure and adjust it if necessary. If this does not solve the issue, you will need to visit a garage.
Washer Fluid Level
When this light illuminates on your dashboard, it means the washer fluid is low and needs to be refilled.
Being able to tell what each of your car warning lights means makes an enormous difference when you are driving. If you see your brake warning light illuminated on your dashboard, making sure you have checked your brake fluid can avoid a trip to your local garage.
What to Do When a Warning Light Comes On: Troubleshooting Tips
If a warning light comes on while you’re driving, it’s essential to take immediate action to address the problem. Here are some troubleshooting tips to follow:
- Check your owner’s manual to identify the warning light and its meaning.
- Pull over to a safe location as soon as possible.
- Check your car’s gauges to determine if there is an immediate problem, such as low oil pressure or overheating.
- Turn off the engine and wait for a few minutes.
- Restart the engine and see if the warning light goes off. If it doesn’t, take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible.
Taking Care of Your Car: Preventing Future Warning Light Issues
Regular maintenance and care can help prevent warning light issues from occurring. Here are some preventative measures you can take:
- Follow your car’s recommended maintenance schedule.
- Check your car’s fluids regularly.
- Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure.
- Replace your car’s air filter regularly.
- Have your car inspected by a professional mechanic
In conclusion, understanding your car’s warning lights is an important part of safe driving. By knowing what each light means and taking prompt action, you can prevent further damage to your car and ensure your safety on the road. And, if you ever need any replacement parts, our range of products will have you covered.