It always seems to happen when you are running late: you switch on your car only to be met with a bright dashboard light.
Warning lights on your dashboard always indicate a potential issue that, at the very least, needs checking out. Ignoring any warning could lead to expensive repairs and, in some cases, serious safety issues. But how can you tell the difference between urgent and not so urgent warning signs?
Each light has a different meaning so it is important to understand what each sign indicates so you know how to respond. Most symbols are common across cars, no matter what the make and model, but the layout might vary so it is worth taking the time to familiarise yourself with the warning lights on your car's dashboard.
If a light appears on your dashboard while you are driving, pull over and park whenever it is safe to do so and check what the problem is. Keep your owner's handbook handy so that you can easily check what that symbol means, as well as what action to take. Generally red warning lights act as red flags to indicate something is wrong and you need to take action so stop, turn off the engine and call for help.
A yellow light is not as urgent but could indicate a part needs repairing or replacing so you will need to have it checked out as soon as possible. A green or blue light simply indicates that some feature of the car, such as the full beam headlights, is currently in use.
You should regularly ensure all dashboard warning lights operate correctly. If they are not, consult your handbook or call your local garage. Remember if a warning light is showing on your dashboard before the MOT you need to get the fault sorted. If the tester turns on the ignition and a light shows you will fail your MOT.
Here are some of the more common warning lights ones and what they mean if they light up on the dashboard.
Running low on oil
The oil pressure warning light appears on your dashboard to let you know that there is a problem with your car the oil - it may be too low or there's not enough oil pressure. Oil is essential to ensure the engine can function fully so as soon as this light comes on, you should pull up and have the oil level checked.
Issues with the brakes
Brake warning lights indicate anything from the hand brake is not fully released to a low brake fluid level. Problems with your brakes can be a serious safety issue so you should have the car looked at by a mechanic.
Low tyre pressure
The tyre pressure warning light illuminates to signal that you have a potential puncture or that the tyre pressure is low on one or all of your tyres. You should pull over when safe to do and check your tyres for any signs of wear and tear. Most cars have a sticker inside of the door that tells you the correct tyre pressure for your car.
Low battery
This light could indicate a fault with the battery of the car or a battery charging problem so it is best take your car to a garage as soon as you can otherwise you may find yourself stuck in the driveway.
Overheating engine
One of the most important signals that you should keep a look out for is the temperature warning light. This indicates overheating of the engine and can be caused by a variety of reasons, like low coolant level or a leak in the system, or could indicate a more serious issue. If the light is red you should pull over, switch off the car and call for assistance.
Airbag isn't working
This is a warning light that indicates a fault with the airbag; this may be that the airbag potentially won't inflate in a crash or that it may inflate when you least expect it which could cause shock, injury or block your view. Airbags are an essential safety feature so any airbag fault needs to be checked at your local garage.
Steering issue
This light may indicate an issue with the power steering or it may simply be a glitch in the car's computer system. Switch off the engine and restart the car, if the light remains on then you need to take the car to a garage.
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