Just imagine, you are driving to work, vibing to your favorite tunes, and suddenly that pesky check engine light appears on the dash. Anxiety is through the roof, what could it be? What could it be?
Don’t panic! In this situation, panic will get you nowhere. Car warning lights are important for maintaining safety while on the road. When car dashboard warning lights appear, it does not always mean problems. However, a thing you should not do is to ignore them.
Understanding the car warning lights meaning is your next move and this is what we are going to cover in this article. So, let’s get started!
What Car Dashboard Warning Lights Mean
Let’s first take a look at the different warning lights in a car. First, will cover the four primary colors and their meaning. These include red, yellow, green, and blue.
Red Lights: Critical Issues
Red is a pretty striking color. This color is used for the most critical lights on the dash. So, when you see a red car warning light, you should stop immediately.
These warning lights on car dashboard indicate problems with the engine, engine overheating, brake failure, or oil pressure loss.
If you continue to drive like this, you are putting your life on the line. You don’t want your car to fail on the highway! Always check your manual to understand car warning light meanings.
Yellow Lights: Warning Signs
Yellow warning light in car on the other hand signals caution. Yellow car warning lights are designed to relate to problems that are not critical but need attention.
For example, check engine light, ABS light, and tire pressure light. Although not a huge concern at the moment, addressing these lights is very important if you want to avoid bigger problems down the line.
Green/Blue Lights: Informational
The least concerning car warning lights on dashboard are green or blue. These lights are only there to inform you about active systems.
These might include the high beam headlights, blinkers, cruise control, and fog lights. These car warning lights do not indicate problems. So, whenever you see a green or blue light, don’t panic!
Common Dashboard Warning Lights
We learned the colors, and now it is time to cover the most common car warning lights that you might encounter!
1. Check Engine Light
At number one we have the most annoying car dashboard warning light of all, the notorious check engine light.
For many drivers, this light is a real menace because their cars often have problems. While others who drive more reliable cars, do not experience it as often.
So, what does this pesky warning light mean? Well, in Volkswagen and Volvo, this car warning light signs that you have a problem with the emissions.
But this isn’t a rule of thumb. This light can mean anything, starting from problems with the ignition, sensors, and emission systems like the DPF and EGR in diesel cars, and much more.
The only way around it is to troubleshoot it with a scanner to see what it really means!
2. Battery Warning Light
If you see a red warning light on car shaped like a battery, it means that your vehicle has a problem charging the battery.
For example, in Porsche, this could mean that you have an issue with the alternator. This component generates electricity, but the power that it creates is not enough to charge the battery. So, the light illuminates.
The problem could also be because of a failing battery. The battery has dead cells and cannot reach the 12.6 volts that it needs for proper operation.
3. Brake System Warning
When you see a warning light that indicates a red circle with an exclamation mark, this could mean that you have problems with the brakes.
Specifically, in Tesla models, this light is very common. Luckily, rebooting the system clears this light but if it persists, you need to contact the service.
4. Oil Pressure Light
Next on our list of warning lights on car dashboard is the oil pressure indicator. This is also one red light that always appears when you start the engine. But as soon as the engine starts, it should go away.
If the light does not go away, specifically in Volvo models, this could result in severe engine damage since you don’t have proper oil pressure.
5. Tire Pressure (TPMS) Light
The TPMS light is an extremely common light that appears on the dash. This light can often be triggered by faulty TPMS sensors.
In each tire, you have a sensor that monitors the pressure. In many cases these malfunction and trigger the TPMS light. Also, in some cars like Porsche or VW, a TPMS reset has to be done after changing the tires.
6. ABS Warning Light
If you see a light that is similar to the brake light but has the letters ABS inside of the circle, it means that you have a problem with the ABS system.
The ABS system is an auxiliary system that activates when the conditions are met, so your car stops. If the light is illuminated, for example, in a BMW, this will require a diagnostic scan to determine whether the ABS pump went bad or something else is causing the issue.
7. Coolant Temperature Warning
Another red warning light on a car is the coolant temperature warning. This light usually looks like a thermometer.
The meaning behind it is that your engine is overheating or you have low coolant. In Mercedes-Benz for example, ignoring car warning lights and meanings like this can lead to severe engine damage. For example, a blown head gasket because the engine overheated.
8. Power Steering Warning Light
The last common light is the steering wheel sign with an exclamation mark next to it. This light means that you have a problem with the power steering system.
Whether there is a problem with the pump or the steering rack, the issue has to be investigated by a mechanic.
Quick Tips by Brand
- Volkswagen: VW has a special EPC car warning light. This light indicates a problem with the throttle. Presumably a sensor-related issue.
- Porsche: Red warning lights car require some immediate attention by a mechanic.
- Tesla: In Tesla models, you can use the screen to read car dashboard warning lights and meaning in order to understand them in detail.
- Volvo: A red warning light on a Volvo means that urgent action is needed.
- BMW: Regular maintenance will prevent cases when all warning lights come on in the car while driving.
What to Do When a Light Appears
Step 1: Check the Color
Red and yellow colors are different. A red car warning light means that you need to stop as soon as possible, while yellow car warning lights indicate that you need to drive with caution.
Step 2: Use the Manual or Onboard Display
Your best bet is to open your manual to see the different car warning lights and meanings if you are not sure what they mean. Some cars have a description of the problem on the onboard display.
Step 3: Fix the Issue or Schedule Service
Don’t ignore the different car warning lights and pretend like they are not there. Ignoring them will lead to expensive repairs and potentially dangerous situations.
Some car warning lights on dashboard like windshield washer fluid or TPMS can be solved by topping off the fluid and inflating the tires, respectively. While other lights can only be fixed if you schedule a professional service at the dealer.
Step 4: Monitor Performance
After fixing an issue, always monitor the cluster to see if the light has reappeared. If it does, it means that the problem is not solved.
How to Prevent Warning Lights on Cars
- Stick to Regular Maintenance: The main thing you should do to avoid any type of warning lights is diligent maintenance. By following regular maintenance schedules and procedures, many of these lights will be simply avoided from appearing.
- Use Brand Apps or Onboard Diagnostics: In order to diagnose different warning lights in a car you can use the onboard system to read more about these errors.
- Check Fluids and Tire Pressure Regularly: Make sure that you always have the fluids topped off, the gas cap is tight, and the tires are inflated. By doing so, you will prevent many of these lights from turning on.
- Update Software: If you drive a Tesla or any modern car, software updates are essential. Make sure that you do them as the schedule requires.
- Address Minor Issues Promptly: In case you notice lights turning on, make sure that you fix them if you can, or take the car to the nearest shop as soon as possible.
Overall, by doing regular maintenance you could easily prevent many of the lights appearing on the dash in the first place. This is why we recommend that you stick to your service intervals and make sure that every service is done as the manufacturer recommends.