Most motorists aren’t familiar with the basic warning lights on their car’s dashboard. The purpose of these lights is to ensure your vehicle is working at optimum performance. They help keep you safe on the road by alerting you to potential vehicle issues. For instance, certain symbols may notify you of low fuel or windshield washer fluid. Some symbols can also alert you to a condition that may be more serious. Keep reading to understand the common dashboard warning lights.
Color-Coded Symbols
Car warning symbols are color coded green, yellow and red. Green lights indicate that a specific system in operating correctly, while yellow lights mean your car should be looked at soon. Red symbols, on the other hand, are serious and you should avoid driving until your car is serviced. Green warning lights include full beam, car key, lane assist and cruise control. Modern vehicles may even have an eco-mode symbol.
Examples of Warning Lights
Infographic provided by Goodwill Car Donations, a reputable car donation charity
Yellow lights are considered less vital than red symbols. However, they should still be serviced as soon as possible. Yellow symbols can inform you of low windshield washer fluid, fuel and tire pressure. Others include traction control, key not detected, child safety lock, air suspension and more. An important symbol to note is anti-lock brakes (ABS). If this comes on, it could mean there is a malfunction with this system, and it should be inspected. You may have to use normal breaking in the interim.
As a car owner, you never want to see a red light on your dashboard, as this may indicate a serious issue. For instance, the battery warning light notifies you that there is a problem with your charging system or battery. It looks like a winking robot face. Driving with this light on can exhaust the battery even more and may leave you stranded on the road. The oil pressure/level symbol is another critical symbol. It appears similar to a genie’s lamp with a drop of fluid dripping out. This indicates that your oil level or pressure is low.
The seatbelt and door ajar indicator lights are also colored red. They keep you safe by reminding you to put on your seat belt and firmly close the hood and/or car door. Warning lights shouldn’t be ignored, because even the smallest issue could lead to an expensive fix or dangerous problem. To learn more about how to decipher dashboard warning lights, see the accompanying resource.
Author’s Bio:
Goodwill Car Donations is a national organization that accepts vehicle donations. It is committed to providing disadvantaged individuals with job training, employment services and critical community-building support.