Car dashboard warning lights and their meanings
When you’re driving, it’s important to be aware of the various symbols that may appear on your car’s dashboard. These symbols are designed to warn you of potential problems as they arise, as well as letting you know when certain systems are in use. Here is a short visual guide to some of the most common car dashboard symbols you may encounter, and what they mean.
Engine Temperature Warning Light
This symbol appears as a thermometer, and indicates that the engine is overheating.
This could mean that coolant levels are running low, perhaps due to a leak in the system, or it could indicate a larger problem, such as a head gasket failure. If this light comes on, you should pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and check the engine.
If this light is red, you should stop straight away, as without enough coolant your engine could become so hot that it leads to irreparable damage. Stop and wait until the engine has cooled off before checking the gauge on the side of the coolant tank, topping it up as required.
Oil warning light
The oil warning light, also known as the low engine oil or low oil pressure light, is a warning that will come on to alert you to an issue with your engines oil pressure.
You should stop the car as soon as possible and check the oil level. If oil is not lubricating the engine effectively, it could lead to expensive or even irreparable engine damage, which is why you should act quickly.
Battery Warning Light
If this light comes on as you are driving, it indicates that there is a problem with your vehicles charging system.
This could be due to a problem with your car’s electrical system and could have several causes, such as a faulty battery, bad electrical connections or damaged cabling. Your car will continue to run as normal until the battery is dead but once it has drained, nothing in your car will work, so you should try to get it to a garage as soon as possible.
Engine Management Light
This light, also known as the check engine or ECU warning light, indicates that there is a problem with your cars engine or emissions system.
This light is often accompanied by signs that your engine is not working properly, such as a lack of power or stuttering as you accelerate. Continuing to drive with this light on may risk causing further damage, so if you see this light, you should get your vehicle inspected as soon as possible.
ABS Light
ABS is a safety feature that comes into play when you need to make an abrupt stop, or when driving in adverse weather conditions, like icy roads or heavy rain.
If your ABS light comes on, you should still have normal, unassisted braking. This means that it is safe for you to continue your journey, but make sure to leave extra distance from the car in front and get your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Brake Warning Light
A red brake warning light that remains red after you fully release the parking brake, or comes on as you’re driving, may indicate that the brake fluid level is low.
If the ABS warning light is also illuminated, this signals that the braking system has malfunctioned and your brakes may not be working properly. You should not risk driving with these warning lights on as brakes are the most important safety feature of your car.
Airbag Warning Light
The airbag warning light, also known as the supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning light, indicates that at least one element of the airbag safety system is not working correctly.
You should be aware that if this light is displaying, the airbag may not go off in the event of a crash – or in some cases it could deploy unexpectedly and cause a crash. Either way, you should get your vehicle checked immediately if this light appears on your dashboard.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring Light
This light, which appears as an exclamation point inside of a horseshoe, will let you know when the tyre pressure falls.
This could happen gradually over time or it could be due to a puncture. You should drive with extra care when this light comes on and aim to inspect and top up the tyre at the next opportunity. Low tyre pressure can cause unsafe driving conditions so you should reduce your speed and try to avoid braking suddenly.
Most petrol stations and garages will have an air compressor you can use to check your tyre pressure.
Regular car maintenance is important for the overall health and longevity of your vehicle, and you should keep up with recommended maintenance tasks to help prevent breakdowns and extend the life of your car.
Useful Links
To find out more about our fuel cards, click here.
To learn how our telematics solutions will help your fleet become more efficient and effective, click here.