As manufacturers equip cars with lots of features and technologies, even dashboard lights can become confusing to navigate. Plus, different car makers can put their own spin on these indicators, making things even more complicated.
All that’s left for the driver is to equip themselves with information. After all, the dashboard has a standardized set of lights, and you only need to know how to distinguish between them. To that end, we can surely help and let you escape any inconvenient situations on the road. So, let’s get started.
Various inscriptions and symbols on the dashboard have different colors. For example, if you see a green or blue color instead of a red, then your car most likely still works in normal mode, and you can safely continue driving. Nevertheless, you should never ignore any warning signal that may come on.
If a red light appears on the dashboard, the vehicle's electronic system warns you of a potentially serious problem. But if you see yellow or orange, the vehicle also tries to notify you that it may need service, diagnostics, or repairs.
If you see any of the following dashboard lights come on, you should never ignore them. Stop immediately, turn off the engine, and then contact an automotive repair or service center.
There are 18 standard warning lights on your car’s dashboard.
The old-fashioned oil can symbol indicates an issue with your car’s oil pressure system. A wavy line below the oil can tells you that the oil level is low. Without the wavy line, your engine warns you the oil pressure is low. Remember that poor engine lubrication can cause significant engine damage, so pull over as soon as it is safe, turn off the vehicle, and check the oil.
Tire-pressure warning lights are typically located in the gauge cluster of an automobile's dashboard and alert you to an air pressure drop of more than 25% of the nominal value in one or more wheels. This warning light is usually yellow or amber and resembles a cross-section of a tire with an exclamation point.
The red warning light means that the cooling system temperature has increased, while the blue one indicates its decrease. When the indicator blinks, there is a malfunction in the cooling system’s electrical parts.
This indicator informs the driver of skidding instances while also indicating the launch of the stabilization system.
If this light comes on, it could mean two things: a malfunction in ABS (Antilock Braking System), or the system was intentionally disabled.
Or, in other words, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) or Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) indicator. This light indicates the Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) differential and Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) on some vehicles.
When the engine is running, this symbol warns the driver then the engine needs some diagnosing. Usually, it may be accompanied by a shutdown of some vehicle systems until the malfunctions are gone. Plus, the EPC (Electronic Power Control) system will forcibly reduce the fuel supply until the issues have been dealt with.
The MAIN inscription is characteristic of vehicles with hybrid engines. There may be a voltage drop in the car mains, no battery charge, and other power supply system faults.
This indicator simply means that there’s not a lot of fuel left, so drive to the nearest gas station.
When the ignition is on, this light signals that you must press the brake pedal to unlock the automatic transmission gearshift. In some cars with automatic transmission, it indicates the need to press the brake pedal before starting the engine or before shifting the lever; sometimes, it looks like the image of a shoe on the pedal (without the orange circle) or the same icon only in green.
Buckle up! This car light simply reminds you or your passengers to fasten the seatbelts. It is usually accompanied by a repetitive dinging noise. According to the CDC, seat belts decrease serious crash-related injuries by about 50%.
This light indicates the failure of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), i.e., airbag.
If your vehicle has an anti-theft system, this symbol will blink steadily when the security system is armed. If it is solid and the car will not start, the immobilization system has activated due to a security threat or malfunction. If it is solid, and the car is running normally, then the security system is malfunctioning and needs to be fixed.
This indicator simply means that the fog lights are on.
It just means that the windshield washer fluid is running low.
The parking brake is activated, the brake fluid may be low, or the brake system may malfunction.
Lane Departure Warning Indicator (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), or Lane Departure Prevention (LDP). The yellow flashing color of the indicator warns you when the vehicle is drifting from its lane to the left or right. Sometimes accompanied by a beep. Yellow without blinking indicates a malfunction. Green means that the system is on.
If this symbol appears on your dashboard, your transmission is overheating. This could be caused by low transmission fluid, worn transmission parts, heavy towing, or something else.
Modern cars have lots of sensors, as well as multiple other features with designated warning lights. All information from the sensors is fed into the vehicle's onboard computer. If there’s any error, malfunction, or need to inform the driver, car manufacturers have provided numerous warning symbols and lights on the dashboard, which immediately light up under certain conditions. So, if you won’t ignore them and know what they mean, you vehicle will serve you for years to come.
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