Understanding What They Mean
Your car warning lights provide valuable information about how well your vehicle is working. There are a number of different symbols your dashboard might display, and you should always pay careful attention to make sure your vehicle is safe and in good condition.
Color Warnings
All vehicles have slightly different warning lights, but most cars use a similar color system to indicate the type or the severity of the warning. Your dashboard likely displays warnings in three colors: red, yellow or orange, and green or blue.
Red Warning Light
A red warning light is usually a sign of an immediate problem that needs your attention right away. In some cases, it might not be safe to keep driving if you see a red warning light. Some of the most common warnings to appear in red include the hood or trunk open warning, the air bag warning, the brake warning, and the engine temperature warning.
Yellow or Orange Warning Light
Yellow and orange lights are usually advisories. They aren’t as urgent as red lights, but they still provide important information. For example, in most cars, the tire pressure sign, the low fuel sign, and the engine check sign are all yellow or orange. You can probably still drive the car safely for the time being, but something will require your attention soon.
Green or Blue Warning Light
Green and blue warning lights are typically the least urgent signs. In most cases, they just appear for your information, and they don’t indicate that you need to do any work on your car. Most green and blue lights simply tell you that a feature is activated. For example, they may tell you that your high beams are on or that your car is in ECO mode.Check out below carwarning light to see more detailed information.
Warning Symbols – Truly Serious Ones | |
|---|---|
 | Brake Warning Indicators |
 | Engine Coolant Temperature Indicator Symbols |
 | Engine Oil Level or Oil Pressure Warning Light Symbol |
 | Engine Oil Sensor and Level Indicators |
 | Charging System Warning Light Symbols |
Trouble and Safety Indicators and Symbols | |
|---|---|
 | SRS Air Bag Indicator Symbols, |
 | Antilock Brake System Trouble Lights, |
 | Automatic Shift Lock (ASL) Indicator Symbol |
 | Blind Spot Warning System |
 | Catalytic Converter Warning Symbol |
 | Charging System Warning Light Symbols |
 | Check Engine Electrical Indicator |
 | Check Engine Light Symbols |
 | Clogged Air Filter |
 | Electronically Controlled Brake System Symbol |
 | Electronic Throttle Control |
 | Engine Foul Indicator |
 | Reduced Engine Power Indicator |
 | Check Gas Cap |
 | Lambda (Oxygen) Sensor |
 | Low Brake Fluid Indicator Symbol |
 | Low Brake Pad Warning Light |
 | Low Coolant Lights |
 | Message |
 | More Low Coolant Lights |
 | Parking Brake Engaged Indicator |
 | Power Steering Trouble Light |
 | Drive train or Power train Trouble Lights |
 | Security Indicator Symbols |
 | Service Reminder |
 | Tire Pressure Monitoring System Lights |
Control Assist System Symbols and Indicators | |
|---|---|
 | Brake Assist and Anti-Slip – Regulation Fault Indicator |
 | Dynamic Stability Control Indicator or Electronic Stability Program |
 | Low Speed and Grade Assist Indicators |
 | Slip Indicator and Fault Indicator Symbols |
 | Stability Control Off |
 | Traction Control |
 | Various Stability Control Off Text |
Special and Advanced Feature Symbols and Indicators | |
|---|---|
 | Active Cruise Control |
 | Attention Alert |
 | Brake Hold |
 | Cruise Control Indicator Light |
 | Cruise Control |
 | Distance Warning |
 | Easy Access |
 | Frost or Freeze Warning |
 | Haul (towing) |
 | More Keyless Ignition Key Detection Indicators |
 | Keyless Ignition Key Detection Indicator Symbols |
 | Lane Departure Warning Symbol |
 | Parking Assistance |
 | Suspension Setting |
 | Economy Operation |
 | Up Shift Light |
Various 4-Wheel and All-Wheel Drive Feature Symbols | |
|---|---|
 | All-wheel Drive Disabled and Fault Indicators |
 | Differential Lock Indicators |
 | Economy Operation |
 | Low Speed and Grade Assist |
Symbols and Indicators for Hybrid and Plug-in Hybid Vehicles | |
|---|---|
 | High Voltage Battery Charge Level Indicator |
 | Charging System Warning Light Symbols |
 | Electric Vehicle (EV) Operation |
 | Electric Vehicle (EV) Mode |
 | External Sound System Fault |
 | High Voltage Battery Charge Level Indicator |
 | Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid Battery Trouble Indicators |
 | Hybrid Ready |
Diesel-powered Vehicles Symbols | |
|---|---|
 | Diesel Particulate Filter Warning |
 | Glow Plug |
 | More Particulate Filter Warning |
 | Water in Fuel |
Lighting Indicators and Symbols | |
|---|---|
 | Cornering Headlight System Malfunction Indicator |
 | Daytime Running Lights Symbol |
 | Fog Lamp |
 | Headlamp Leveling System |
 | Headlamp Out |
 | Headlamp |
 | High Beam on |
 | High-beam Assistant |
 | Automatic Headlamp Dimmer |
 | Rear Fog Lamp |
 | Tail Light Out |
 | Tail Light |
 | Turn Signal |
Routine Indicators and Symbols | |
|---|---|
 | Door Ajar or Door Open Indicator |
 | Fuel or Low Fuel Indicator Symbol |
 | Seat Belt Reminder Indicator Symbol |
 | Windshield Washer Fluid Low Indicator |
More Serious Warning Lights
Not every light that appears on your dashboard is an emergency. However, some do tell you urgent, serious information. All drivers should be aware of these important signals and the proper way to react if one appears.
Brakes
The brake system warning light could indicate a number of different problems. It may tell you the brake fluid is low, the parking brake is engaged, or something is wrong with the anti-lock braking system. Before you start driving, you should make sure the parking brake is disengaged and that the car has enough brake fluid. If the brake fluid is low due to a leak, it could be a serious problem for your car.
Temperature
The warning light for the engine coolant temperature usually looks like a thermometer or a box with wavy lines. It may indicate that your engine is overheating or that your coolant level is too low. To prevent damage to your engine, you should turn your car off immediately, allow the engine to cool down, and inspect the cooling system when you see this light. If you notice a leak, you should add coolant and bring your car to a mechanic as soon as possible.
Oil
The oil warning light can be a sign of a low oil level or low oil pressure. Most cars will show a warning light when the oil level just starts getting low, so drivers have extra time to plan for an oil change. If the light appears in red, you should turn off your vehicle, wait about five minutes for the oil to drain back into the pan, and check the oil levels. If they’re extremely low, you’ll have to add fresh oil before you drive to prevent damage to your car.
Battery Charging System
The battery warning light is usually red. It may look like a car battery, or it may say “BATT,” “CHG,” or “ALT.” When you see this light, your car’s charging system is not working properly, and your vehicle is relying on its stored battery power. There’s a limit to how far a car can travel on stored power, so this is a problem that requires immediate attention.
Your car dashboard symbols can give you essential information about how well your vehicle is working. Some problems are more urgent than others, but you should always take notice when you see a light appear on your dashboard. If you’re not sure what a symbol means, you should look it up in your user manual or try our DMV driving test right away to be safe.
