Brake System: This light indicates that your parking brake may be on, or there is a problem with your braking system such as low brake fluid or issues with your ABS. If you notice this light on please slow down and drive appropriately for the conditions Mother Nature is throwing at you.ħ. Systems in use could be your traction control, anti-skid, or electronic stability control. Traction Control or ESP: This light illuminates when your vehicle is experiencing slippery or treacherous conditions. This could be the result of an old battery or other deteriorating parts such as the starter, corroded battery terminals, or an alternator.Ħ. Battery/Charging Alert: This light indicates that your battery’s voltage level may be below normal level. Driving on a flat tire can damage your rim and lead to more expense.ĥ. If your car begins driving poorly, pull over immediately. Driving with under or over inflated tires can be dangerous. Maintaining appropriate tire pressure is important. It could be low due to a change in temperature, or damage to the tire. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): This light signifies that a tire pressure is low. Don’t drive it until you put more oil in.Ĥ. If your oil is low, you could be over the recommended oil change interval or have a leak. Then reinsert the dipstick and remove it to check oil level. The easiest check is to pull out your dipstick and wipe it with paper towel or cloth. Low oil pressure could lead to serious engine problems. Immediately and safely, pull over and turn off your car. Oil Pressure Warning: This light identifies a loss of oil pressure. Your car may be fine but the coolant is low based on the intervals in which the coolant has been filled up last.ģ. While you’re waiting for the engine to cool down, look under your car to see if there are any leaks. Before checking your coolant level, let your car cool down 30 – 60 minutes before removing the radiator cap to prevent burns from steam buildup inside the radiator. An overheated engine can cause significant damage. If this light comes on, pull over immediately and turn off your car. Coolant Temperature Warning: This warning light indicates that your engine is overheating due to lack of coolant. The light does not mean your engine is going to explode or is low on oil.Ģ. These items all affect how efficiently your car runs. Your spark plugs or wires need replacing.Your mass airflow sensor needs replacing or.Your catalytic converter needs replacing.Your gas cap is loose, damaged or lost.Your Oxygen (O2) sensor needs replacing.Check Engine or Malfunction Indication Light: There are a number of reasons that light may appear. If a light is flashing, contact your local dealership or trusted mechanic.ġ. You may see this color scheme when your headlights are on. Green/Blue – indicates that your system is operating. Yellow/Orange – something needs to be serviced or repaired soon. Red – indicates a potentially serious problem or safety issue and should be taken to your dealer as soon as possible. Symbol lights can appear in different colors. If you see a light appear on your dashboard, don’t panic. With winter right around the corner, now is a good time to become acquainted with some of these warning lights. On the other hand, some lights can simply be a notification that something is working, but not 100%. Hopefully some help from roadside assistance can resolve serious issues. Thoughts of being stranded and what to do next can fill our heads. All of a sudden, a vehicle warning light turns on.ĭepending on the light, it can bring instant panic. It’s happened to all of us at one time or another, whether we’re in a hurry to get to work or on a family road trip.

Engine coolant symbol