Explained – Common Dashboard Warning Lights

You may have noticed the moment you turn the key in your ignition, there are numerous warning lights flashing like a Christmas tree on your dashboard, and no… they are not there for decoration purposes. These warning lights vary in colour according to the seriousness of a problem.

You are probably wondering, what do all these symbols mean, and what should you do when they appear on your dashboard.

 

–  Red warning lights indicate a severe problem, safety issue or they could serve as a reminder of service maintenance.
–  Yellow/ Orange lights indicate that a component needs servicing. If the light flashes, contact your nearest dealership/ service centre for assistance.
–  Green/Blue lights let you know that a system is active and operating.

It is important to know what these warning lights mean, in-case you need to pull over or call someone for assistance. Let us have a look at the most common warning lights. Below we have listed a few common warning lights you need to know.

1. Engine Temperature Warning Light –

The engine is running too hot and is overheating which is caused when the coolant level is too low or when there is trouble with the cooling system. It is important to stop and turn off the engine to prevent risking extensive damage.

 

2. Battery Warning Light –

This indicates that there is a charging problem with the battery. Troubleshoot the following:
• Loose/corroded cables on the battery.
• Clean the battery terminals.
• Check for corrosion.
Should the light remain on, the problem might be a broken alternator belt, faulty alternator, voltage regulator or it could mean it is time for the battery to be replaced.

 

3. Oil Pressure Light –

This is not a genie lamp it will not grant you any wishes. There may be an issue with your vehicle’s oil pressure. It is recommended to not drive any further when this light comes on as it can cause extensive damage to the engine.

 

4. Brake Warning Light –

Your brakes play an important part in the vehicle. Neglecting to pay attention to the warning signs when needed is likely to result in serious injury or an accident. There might be a problem with the brake components or low levels of brake fluid.

 

5. ABS Warning Light –

Anti-Lock Braking is also known as ABS. The main function is to keep the tyres of your vehicle on the road and prevent them from locking during emergency braking. The most common reasons for the light to turn on include low fluid levels, faulty/broken wheel speed sensors, or a malfunctioning ABS Module.

 

6. Handbrake Warning Light –

When this light comes up on the dashboard, the first thing to do is to check if the handbrake is fully released. Should the vehicle use an Electronic Parking Brake System and the symbols have a spanner symbol underneath it the vehicle requires servicing.

Consult your nearest service center for assistance.

 

7. Engine Warning Light (Check Engine Light) –

If this light shows on your dashboard it can mean many different things from minor to major issues. Should the warning light remain constant and not blinking it may be an emergency, but you should still have the vehicle checked out. If the light is blinking it usually indicates a serious issue and that it should get checked out as soon as possible. Driving with the vehicle any further can cause extensive damage and can result in costly repairs.

 

8. Tyre Pressure Warning Light –

The light will come on to alert you when the air pressure is low/underinflated or due to a puncture. If the light flashes and remains on, it could be due to a faulty TPMS sensor (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System). You will have to have this checked out by a reputable service centre.

 

9. Low- Fuel Warning Light –

You should be familiar with this light when the vehicle is low on fuel. Depending on your vehicle, there will still be some fuel left in the tank, most modern vehicles will give you an estimated travel distance of how far you can drive. It is recommended to drive with your vehicle until empty.

Keep in mind that some of the symbols on your dashboard might slightly differ from those mentioned above. For the complete guide on the rest of the dashboard warning lights, refer to your vehicle’s owner manual.