Dashboard warning lights are your vehicle's way of informing you of potential problems, such as an open door or the feared check engine light.
You'll see them turn on every time you start your car or truck, shining brightly for a few seconds as the engine warms up and safety features are checked. At times, a single indicator light may persist in illuminating a problem. Don't let your guard down if a few flashing warning lights don't go on. Because of this, you may miss an issue that they would otherwise alert you to if they aren't working properly.
A little problem may seem harmless at first, but if you don't know what a warning light indicates or choose to ignore it, it might escalate into a much larger, more expensive, and perhaps deadly problem. Some warning lights might be difficult to read for even the most experienced motorist.
You need to determine if this is an emergency that needs urgent action or if you can wait until you can get to a nearby mechanic. Read on to know what these warning lights indicate.
Types of Dashboard Lights
The two most common colours for dashboard warning lights are red and orange. If your car's dashboard displays a red warning light, there's likely a major problem. Warning lights on the dashboard should never be ignored, especially if they are flashing red. This might indicate an overheated engine, low oil pressure, or a brake system issue.
If the engine management system, the computer that controls the engine, illuminates an orange warning light on the dashboard, trouble has been discovered. You may keep driving your automobile even when an orange dashboard warning light is up, but you should get it checked out as soon as possible.
Check engine
The most dreaded warning light for automobile owners is the "check engine" indicator. Even though it seems the worst, this light might mean anything from low oil to a problem with the car's emissions system. It may be as simple as a frayed wire, a leaking gas cap, or a damaged solenoid. It's also possible that something far more catastrophic is wrong with the engine itself.Don't freak out if, while driving, the check engine light comes on even though everything appears normal. Take it in for a diagnosis and have it fixed as soon as possible.It's imperative to pull over and arrange for a tow if the warning light comes on and the car starts acting erratically or producing unusual noises. As a result, the issue is likely far more serious, such a misfire that might do irreparable harm to the car's engine. In addition to potentially damaging your vehicle's engine, ignoring a flashing "check engine" light is also bad for your safety.Battery
It's simple to understand the battery warning because it mimics the actual problem. Many motorists associate this symbol with the terrifying "whirr whirr whirr" noise made by a car with a dead battery trying to start. Having the battery light come on even when the car starts and operates normally is not a good sign. The battery itself may have a problem over time, or there may be an issue with the car's wiring, alternator, or another electrical part.Coolant temperature
A coolant temperature warning, represented by a thermometer submerged in water, indicates that the engine is overheating. It might be due to a number of issues, including the failure of the water pump, insufficient coolant in the radiator, a leaky or ruptured coolant hose, or physical damage to the radiator.These are critical flaws that, if left unchecked, might cause catastrophic engine failure. Overheating your automobile is as dangerous as driving with a flashing "check engine" light, and might lead to irreparable damage to your vehicle.Transmission temperature
What this means is that your gearbox's internal components are about to fail. Overloaded towing, insufficient transmission fluid, or, more significantly, excessive wear on the transmission's internals might all contribute to this problem.Oil pressure
When the oil pressure warning light comes on, it might mean as little as that the oil level is low and needs to be filled. There may be a leak in the engine or damaged components, such as a broken piston ring or a damaged oil pump, which would be far more dangerous.Adding oil to the engine if the dipstick indicates low oil levels and then getting the indicator light to go off means you're in luck. If it doesn't work, or if the light turns on again soon once you've added oil, it's best to get it looked at as soon as possible. If your car has an oil pressure warning light, leaving it on for long periods of time will almost certainly result in expensive repairs down the line.Tyre pressure monitoring system
Driving on tyres that are dangerously under- or overinflated is a recipe for disaster. To inform the driver of the exact tyre pressure at each wheel, tyre pressure monitors in many newer vehicles display the information in the gauge cluster or in a menu accessible through the car's infotainment system.
For instance, if you notice that one of your tyres has much lower air pressure than the rest, you should pull over and fill up the affected tyre to the recommended level of inflation. Turn on the car's ignition and wait to see whether the indicator light turns off. If not, the tyre may have been damaged, leading to the quick leak.Brake system
It's a typical blunder to start driving away while still holding the parking brake, which triggers this warning indicator. Worn brake pads, insufficient brake fluid, or a malfunctioning anti-lock braking system are more concerning possibilities (ABS).
In a similar vein, if your car's anti-lock brake system light is on, it's probably because of a problem with the wheel speed sensor or the wiring or connections that lead to it. It's okay to keep driving, but you should know that you need to get your ABS fixed in order to have fully functional brakes again, especially in an emergency.
There is a rainbow of colours to choose from for dashboard warning lights and indicators. When a light turns red, it usually means a substantial problem or a failed component. Car manufacturers employ a wide variety of symbols, alert tones, and colour schemes to convey information to drivers. If you really want to know all there is to know about your car, read the handbook. With any luck, you'll be better equipped to deal with dashboard warning lights after reading the above.
