If you compiled a list of all the dashboard warning lights used on all makes and models of cars, you’d end up with about 480 different symbols and indicators. There are several common car and truck warning lights that you should be aware of when driving. Make sure to check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s specific dashboard warning lights.
Car Dashboard Warning Light Meanings
The first thing to remember if a dashboard car warning light comes on while driving is not to panic. Next, look at the color of the lighted symbol.
If you see a red light on the car’s dashboard, this means there’s a safety issue or something is seriously wrong with your car. Safely pull over, turn off the engine, and call a repair service or shop to see if your car is safe to drive or if it needs service and you need a tow.
Yellow or Orange Lights on Dashboard
If you see orange or yellow dashboard lights it is reminding you that something needs to be serviced soon, like an oil change, or that something is wrong with your emissions system. While not an emergency, you should have a car mechanic look at the problem as soon as possible.
Tip: If a yellow car warning light starts blinking, treat it as you would a red light and call a repair service right away.
Green or Blue Lights on Dashboard
If you see green or blue symbols on the car’s dashboard, this may indicate a system is working properly or a system is on, such as when your high beam headlights are on.
1. Check engine light
This dashboard light comes on when a problem affecting your vehicle’s exhaust emissions causes your car’s computer system to trigger a repair code. If red, pull over safely, turn off the engine, and contact a repair shop immediately.
Learn more about when your engine light is on here.
2. Oil pressure warning
If this warning light stays lit, it indicates loss of oil pressure. Pull over safely, turn off the engine, and check the oil level.
3. Coolant temp warning
This symbol indicates the engine temperature has exceeded normal limits. Pull over safely, turn off the engine, and let the engine cool off before checking your coolant level.
4. Brake system light
You might notice a brake system dashboard warning light when the parking brake is on. If so, there's a problem with the braking system, anti-lock brake system (ABS) or the brake fluid is low. Contact a repair shop as soon as possible to have your brakes checked.
How to deal safely with squealing brakes.
5. Tire pressure warning
When one of your tires is underinflated by 25%, the tire pressure warning indicator will light up. Stop and check your tire pressure on each tire to determine which is low so you can get it properly filled to continue driving.
How to check your tire pressure.
6. Low fuel indicator
Many drivers are familiar with the low fuel indicator light. When you have less than two gallons of fuel left in your gas tank, this symbol with appear to let you know it’s time to find a gas station.
7. Battery/charging alert
The charging system light (usually a battery symbol or the word "ALT" or "GEN") illuminates when the vehicle's electrical system is no longer being supplied power by the alternator. Have your mechanic test the alternator at your earliest convenience.
8. Transmission temperature
This car warning light will come on when the transmission is operating at higher than optimum temperature or the transmission fluid is hotter than normal. Safely pull over, shut off the engine, and contact your mechanic as the transmission cools.
9. Service vehicle soon indicator
This indicator alerts you that your vehicle is nearing a recommended or warranty service event, such as changing the oil or rotating your tires. When you see this, you should contact a repair shop to schedule an appointment.
10. Airbag fault
If there's a fault in your airbag system and one or more airbags have been disabled, the airbag fault dashboard light will come on. Contact a repair shop as soon as possible. You can find a list of dealers here.
Paying for Car Repairs and Maintenance
When you encounter a dashboard warning light it usually means that service may be needed on your vehicle, but it doesn't have to slow you down. The Synchrony Car Care™ credit card is there to help you finance all the automotive expenses - planned and unplanned, big and little - for your car, truck or RV. Find out more here.
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FAQs
Green or blue lights simply let you know that a system is on or operating. Orange/yellow warning lights generally signify that your vehicle needs to be serviced or repaired soon. These warnings are less urgent than if you have a red and/or flashing light. A red light means that you should take action immediately!
What does it mean when all dashboard warning lights come on? ›
Most likely, this is a diagnostic signal sent by the car's self-testing regimen. Your vehicle is using the available power to send a big signal that service professionals know all too well: there is some kind of major electrical issue present in the vehicle.
What is the most serious warning light? ›
The check engine light is usually the most serious and feared warning because of the kind of damage it can signal. This warning often indicates the potential for serious engine damage.
What are 5 lights that might light up on your dashboard to tell you something needs attention or repair in your car? ›
Common Dashboard Warning Lights and What They Mean
- Oil Pressure Light. ...
- Engine Temperature. ...
- Battery. ...
- Brake System. ...
- Seat Belt Reminder. ...
- Airbag Indicator. ...
- Door Ajar. ...
- Check Engine Light.
There are 64 warning lights and symbols on a car's dashboard - but how many do you recognise? They are an everyday sight that could mean the difference between a smooth journey and a costly repair bill. But many of us have no idea what the lights and symbols on our car dashboards actually mean and when to take action.
What would cause multiple warning lights to come on? ›
When all your dashboard lights turn on at once, it most commonly indicates an issue with the alternator or the charging system. It is common for all the dash lights to come on with no alternator output; low voltage can cause unusual electrical issues. The alternator should be tested at the time of battery replacement.
Can I drive my car with all the warning lights on? ›
All dashboard lights should turn on at ignition. This indicates that the vehicle is performing a self-test. However, if these lights stay on while you're driving, you could be dealing with a serious electrical problem. A faulty alternator is usually the culprit for illuminated dashboard lights.
How do I reset my dashboard warning lights? ›
The first thing you can try, to turn off the car, then restart the engine. The second step is to disconnect your battery, wait for a few minutes then reconnect the battery. Another option is to continue to drive your car, and hope the light will reset itself.
What is master warning light? ›
The master warning light is one of the most general symbols, telling you something is wrong with one of your car's advanced systems. For instance, there might be a problem involving the battery or brake switch. It will often be followed by another message to give you a more specific idea of the issue.
What is the airbag warning light? ›
Regardless of its shape and color, the airbag warning light indicates there is a problem with the airbag system, and the issue could prevent one or more airbags from deploying in a crash. Pinpointing the exact cause of the problem requires retrieving the error code from the car's computer that triggered the light.
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
This is a serious problem and it can result in catastrophic engine damage, so if you see this warning light, you should always pull over as soon as it's safe to do so and turn off your vehicle.
What is the critical warning on a car? ›
The ability to continue driving depends on the type of warning light and its severity. For critical warning lights, such as the oil pressure or engine coolant temperature light, it's crucial to stop driving immediately to prevent serious damage to the engine.
What is a low priority warning light? ›
The low priority warning light on fault indicates that the GO device is reading a pending fault code from the ECU of a vehicle. This fault is reported with another fault or engine measurement which can provide more information on the pending fault code reported.
What is the most important indicator or warning light in a car? ›
Your dashboard's most crucial warning light is a check engine light. If this light turns on, it usually indicates a problem with your vehicle's engines or any of its critical components.
What does the yellow triangle with an exclamation point mean on my dashboard? ›
This indicator lets you know that there's a Critical Warning Message that you need to read as soon as possible, but it doesn't actually indicate a specific problem. Really, the triangle with an exclamation point is a catch-all warning light, designed to alert you to issues that your other lights won't catch!
What is the first thing to check when the check engine light comes on? ›
The Check Engine light might be triggered by almost anything affecting the monitored systems, from just a loose gas cap or bad spark plug to a pricey computer control module or catalytic converter. Check your gas cap first.
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