Dashboard Warning Lights – What do They Mean?
Every time you get into your vehicle and turn the ignition on to start the car’s engine, dashboard warning lights will appear in different colours, usually behind the steering wheel. These lights are designed to inform you that all the systems on your vehicle are all working correctly. If the car is functioning as it should do, all the lights will disappear, however, if one or more light remains on, it indicates there is a problem. Most manufactures use the same two distinguishing colour lights to indicate a problem these are Amber and Red. If either of these two lights appear and stay on it is important you find out the cause immediately.
Red Warning Lights – you should act quickly, stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and seek urgent assistance from a local garage
Amber Warning Lights – action is required please refer to your handbook and visit your local garage
Blue/ Green Warning Lights – tend to be an advisory light in which you would consult your handbook for advice before continuing your journey
Every vehicle that left its manufactures will have a hand book in the vehicle which will document the meaning of these symbols on the dash display.
Engine management light: This light is warning you there is a fault with your engine, it may stay permanently on or in some instances flash. If this light appears, your vehicle requires attention as soon as possible. This is to prevent any possible damage to the engine.
Oil pressure warning light: This symbol often gets confused with oil level low, when in fact it is an oil pressure warning light, without oil pressure to lubricate the engine it is likely that it will permanently damage the engine or worse still seize the engine entirely. Should you see this symbol in red, pull over when safe to do so and immediately turn off your engine off. Contact your local garage to organise the vehicle to be recovered into them. Do not restart your engine.
Brake system warning light: When this brake warning light comes on, it can mean one of two things. Either the parking brake (hand brake) is on, or the brake fluid (hydraulic fluid) is low. Organise a visit to your local garage to diagnose.
Battery charge warning light: When this battery light appears on the dashboard, it indicates a malfunction with the battery. The battery may no longer be holding its charge. This could be down to age and condition of battery, the alternator, the alternator belt or the battery itself. If the battery is not charging it will only be a matter of time before it completely fails leaving you and your vehicle possibly stranded. Seek assistance from your local garage.
Temperature warning light: This temperature warning light means that your engine is running at a temperature that is too high – in other words, your engine is overheating. If your vehicle’s cooling system is working properly, this should never occur. If the temperature light comes on or if the gauge enters the red zone, immediately pull off the road to a safe spot, well away from traffic, and stop the engine to allow it to cool down. Contact your local garage immediately.
These are just five of the lights that could appear on your vehicle’s dash display. If in doubt please call us here at L&J and we will be more than happy to advise and assist you further.
About L&J Vehicle Specialists
L&J Vehicle Specialist is a family run business based in Taplow, nr Maidenhead voted “the best Mechanics in Bucks”. We have over 15 years’ experience from a range of dealerships to independently run garages.
We offer a wide range of services from Car Servicing, MOT, Vehicle Health Checks, Car Diagnostics and Electrical to Classic Car Servicing and Rebuilds. Our team of dedicated staff have the experience you need to maintain your vehicle to the highest standards.
