Dashboard Light Guide: What Warning Light Symbols Mean
When your vehicle dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree, you might find yourself performing unusual Google searches, such as “vehicle dashboard light man standing on ball” (suspension issues) to try to figure out what your car is trying to tell you.
Some lights may vary with vehicle make, model and features, so we do recommend turning to your owner’s manual if you cannot find the reason for your dashboard warning light online. From the Check Engine Light and low oil pressure warning to the more uncommon Brake System Warning lights, let’s go over some of the most common and a few unusual vehicle warning light symbols.
Dash Light Guide: Colors Matter
Before you even figure out what your vehicle’s icon is trying to tell you, the color and/or movement of the icon can tell you quite a bit.
- Red/Flashing: This indicates a serious and immediate issue. Stop the vehicle at the next safe area and provide attention to this system issue; depending on the issue and the severity, this may require a professional mechanic’s help.
- Orange/Yellow: The indicated system has an issue that requires attention. This is a warning color, and you should take caution and look into the warning as soon as possible to avoid damaging your vehicle systems.
- Green/Blue/White: The indicated system is in use or is working correctly. Sometimes when you first turn on your vehicle your dashboard may light up and go off right away, which can indicate a standard system check.
Dash Light Guide:
Tire Pressure Light
A light resembling a serrated horseshoe with an exclamation mark in the middle indicates a tire pressure issue. This can be caused by the air inside the tires expanding/retracting depending on the temperature, a puncture, leaky tire pressure stem, or bad tire pressure sensor.
Your tires should all be kept at the same PSI for safety, performance and maintenance, so when you see this light, you should find the closest station with air available and evaluate your tires.
Seeing hairline cracks in your tire walls? Take a look at How to Identify early signs of Tire Dry Rot.
Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
If this leaky gravy boat appears on your dashboard, your vehicle’s oil pressure is indicating its inability to lubricate. This will appear if the oil level is too high or too low. This is not a sign to ignore! Without proper lubrication, your vehicle’s engine can experience major mechanical (and expensive) issues rather quickly. Luckily, most times this can be avoided by scheduling an oil change.
Check your engine’s oil level to make sure it’s not extremely low (driving without oil can cause major issues very suddenly) and get your vehicle scheduled for an oil change and check up when you can.
See what services come standard with an Oil Change Service at Global Automotive in Bealeton VA.
Check Engine Light
This standard check engine light needs no introduction; this is a light no one really wants to see… but it doesn’t always mean a serious issue has been detected. This light can indicate something as simple as a loose gas cap or spark plug failure all the way to a serious intake problem – and the sooner you figure out exactly what is wrong, the better!
A yellow or orange check engine light is a much better sign than a red or flashing one, but either way, getting the issue diagnosed sooner can save both your vehicle and your wallet!
Click here for Simple Check Engine Light troubleshooting tips or your vehicle’s manual, but if these attempts don’t make your indicator light vanish, you can schedule an appointment with our expert mechanics to get you back on the road fast.
Traction Control Light
If a car floating on squiggle lines appears, your vehicle’s traction control system has activated. This may mean a wheel is spinning faster than others or that your traction is slipping and this light indicates the anti-lock braking (ABS) feature is activated. This light is also known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator.
This is most seen on dashboards in slippery conditions such as rain, ice or snow. If the light does not disappear once traction is gained, and continues to appear when you start the vehicle again, it can indicate the ESP system is not functioning properly and should be diagnosed by a mechanic.
Engine Temperature / Coolant Level Warning Light
If a thermometer floating like a buoy appears, this can indicate your engine may be overheating. This is not a light you should continue driving around with. Turn off your AC (turning your heat on can help redistribute heat from your engine as well) and stop your vehicle as soon as it’s safe to do so. Do NOT continue to drive your vehicle with this light on. Allow the engine to cool before checking your coolant level.
If smoke is coming from under your hood, you should call a tow service and have it brought to a trusted vehicle maintenance shop. If there is no smoke and you top off your coolant level and the light disappears, you should be alright to continue driving to your destination (while keeping an eye out for the light to reappear). If your coolant level is not an issue or if the light does not shut off after adding coolant, this could mean an issue with your head gasket or other serious problems. A professional mechanic should be able to further diagnose and repair your issue.
Brake System Warning Light
An exclamation mark inside a circle inside parentheses. This can be a quick fix, such as forgetting your parking brake is on when you initiate the gas or can signal a major issue with your braking system. This light is not one to drive around with lit up, be sure to have your trusted mechanic take a look as soon as possible.
Brake Pad Warning Light
Although not all vehicles come equipped with this light, another braking system light that can appear may resemble a simple profile of an axolotl and this warning means a sensor is detecting worn brake pads. This light should appear before your pads are dangerously thin, allowing you time to schedule an appointment to get these replaced.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) Warning Light
The Anti-lock brake system is an important function of your vehicle’s ability to stop quickly. It is the pulsing on and off of your brakes to stop your tires from locking up when you stop too hard or drive on slick roadways. This light staying on can indicate an issue with the ABS system.
Driving with this on may mean you are driving with unassisted braking, be sure to keep a two car length distance (or longer) between you and others and get it checked as soon as possible.
Airbag Warning Light
The Anti-lock brake system is an important function of your vehicle’s ability to stop quickly. It is the pulsing on and off of your brakes to stop your tires from locking up when you stop too hard or drive on slick roadways. This light staying on can indicate an issue with the ABS system.
Driving with this on may mean you are driving with unassisted braking, be sure to keep a two car length distance (or longer) between you and others and get it checked as soon as possible.
Battery Warning Light
A winking robot lets you know either your battery is activated to power your vehicle or there may be an issue with the battery charging system. If you turn your key, but do not start your engine, this light indicates your vehicle is currently being powered by your vehicle only and is just a system activation indicator. If your engine is on and this light is lit, it means the alternator isn’t actively charging your battery as it’s designed to. Possible causes could be an alternator gone bad, loose or damaged battery cable or another fault in the electrical. This may be paired with your clock light fading, or dimmer headlights and if not diagnosed, could leave you stranded with a dead battery.
Low Fuel Indicator Light
A gas pump icon indicates low fuel levels. Depending on your vehicle, it may appear due to a set amount of gasoline left in your tank or your vehicle’s computer may determine this indication based on the fuel level paired with recent driving behavior. A quick fuel fill up should shut this light off. If this light remains on after filling up your tank, it can indicate a fuel sensor issue and should be diagnosed.
Washer Fluid Indicator Light
The fountain of youth lets you know that your vehicle is low on windshield washer fluid. Top your washer fluid off when you get a chance.
Transmission Temperature Light
A gear symbol with a thermometer in the middle is an indication of a potential serious vehicle issue: an overheating transmission. Common causes of this include low transmission fluid, worn transmission parts, or heavy towing. Pull off at the nearest safe location and turn the vehicle off. Allow it to cool completely. If the light appears when restarting the vehicle, taking the vehicle to a trusted auto repair shop by tow will likely be the safest option.
To help this light be one you avoid, here are 6 Signs Your Vehicle May Need Transmission Service.
Power Steering Warning Light
An excited steering wheel symbol warns of power steering system issues; to avoid suddenly being forced to drive without power steering assistance, this should be looked at by a trusted professional.
Low Brake Fluid Warning Light
A ball with waves inside parentheses is another serious indicator. Operating on a sealed hydraulic system, if fluid levels drop, your brakes cease to function. If you see this icon on your dashboard, pull over as soon as you are safe to do so and check every wheel for signs of a fluid leak. This warning light usually requires the assistance of a trusted mechanic.
Suspension Indicator Warning Light
An icon of a person standing on a ball indicates your suspension dampers may require replacing or replacement parts.
Catalytic Converter Warning Indicator Light
An icon resembling a hot rotisserie is a sign your Catalytic Converter has indicated an issue and may be clogged, which can cause a pressure build up and loss of power. This is a serious issue and should be taken to a trusted mechanic as soon as possible.
Triangle Warning Light
Older vehicles had a limited number of warning lights, so this indicated an issue more serious than the yellow/orange Check Engine Light. It can encompass many possible issues and is best to have it diagnosed by professionals to ensure your vehicle gets the care to drive safely.
Seat Belt Indicator Light
We hope out of all of these indicator light possibilities, this is the only one you’ll see when turning your engine on. Just a simple reminder to buckle up and stay safe on the roads.
If you have bright lights on your vehicle’s dashboard and need a trusted auto repair shop to help you keep your vehicle driving smooth on the roads, we’re located in southern Fauquier County, VA and only a phone call away.
