When you’re driving, your dashboard is more than just a collection of indicators. It’s like your car’s personal doctor, alerting you to what’s going on under the hood. At Trustworthy Auto, we frequently see clients who are unsure about what these dashboard warning lights mean and how urgent the problem might be. Understanding these symbols can save you time, money, and stress in the long run. Let’s break down some of the most common dashboard lights and what they mean for your vehicle.
What Do Dashboard Lights Mean?
Your car’s dashboard lights are part of its built-in diagnostic system, which monitors various systems and functions. When something isn’t working properly, the corresponding warning light will illuminate on the dashboard. These lights are color-coded for severity:
- Red: Indicates a serious issue that requires immediate attention.
- Yellow or Orange: Signifies that something needs to be inspected soon, but it’s not an emergency.
- Green or Blue: Indicates that a system is working as intended.
Quick Guide to Dashboard Warning Lights
- Check Engine Light (CEL)
- Traction Control Light
- Brake Warning Light
- Tire Pressure Warning Light (Exclamation Point on My Dashboard)
- Battery Light
- Oil Pressure Light
- Coolant Temperature Light
- Fog Light Symbol Flickering
- Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Light
- Automatic Shift Lock or Engine Start Indicator Light
- Seat Belt Reminder Light
- Airbag Warning Light
- Security Indicator Light
- Washer Fluid Indicator Light
- Lane Departure Warning Light
- Transmission Temperature Warning Light
Common Warning Lights on Your Car’s Dashboard
1. Check Engine Light (CEL)
The check engine light is one of the most common warning symbols drivers encounter. If you see a yellow or orange engine symbol, it means your car’s onboard diagnostics have detected an issue. This could range from something as simple as a loose gas cap to a more serious engine problem, like a misfire or a failing catalytic converter.
At Trustworthy Auto, we specialize in check engine light diagnostics. Our team uses advanced tools to connect to your car’s computer and retrieve the trouble codes. From there, we’ll pinpoint the exact issue and advise you on the necessary repairs.
2. Traction Control Light
3. Brake Warning Light
- Your parking brake is engaged.
- Your brake fluid level is low.
- There’s an issue with the braking system.
We perform thorough brake inspections at Trustworthy Auto and always recommend addressing brake issues promptly for your safety. If the brake light remains on, it’s time to bring your car in for diagnostics.
4. Tire Pressure Warning Light (Exclamation Point on My Dashboard)
The Tire Pressure Warning Light looks like an exclamation point inside a horseshoe and indicates that one or more of your tires may be under-inflated or over-inflated. Keeping your tires at the correct pressure is critical for safety, fuel efficiency, and tire longevity. If this light appears, check your tire pressure as soon as possible, and if you’re unsure, visit Trustworthy Auto in Seekonk, MA, for assistance.
5. Battery Light
The battery warning light typically indicates an issue with your car’s charging system. It could mean your battery is not charging properly, or there’s a problem with the alternator. If this light comes on, you should have your vehicle checked immediately, as you could end up stranded with a dead battery.
At Trustworthy Auto, we can test your battery and charging system to determine if you need a new battery or further repairs to your vehicle’s electrical system.
6. Oil Pressure Light
If you see an oil can symbol on your dashboard, it’s a sign that your oil pressure is too low. This could be due to low oil levels or a more serious issue, like an oil pump failure. Either way, driving with this light on can severely damage your engine. We recommend pulling over and checking your oil level right away, and if it’s low, don’t continue driving without addressing the issue.
7. Coolant Temperature Light
The coolant temperature light (often displayed as a thermometer symbol) indicates that your engine is overheating. This can happen for various reasons, such as low coolant levels, a malfunctioning radiator, or a thermostat failure. Overheating can cause serious damage to your engine, so it’s essential to pull over and let the engine cool down before continuing your journey.
8. Fog Light Symbol Flickering
Your fog lights help increase visibility in poor weather conditions. If the fog light symbol is flickering, it may be a sign that your fog lights are malfunctioning or there’s an electrical issue. Make sure to have this checked, especially if you frequently drive in foggy or rainy conditions.
9. Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Light
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) light indicates an issue with your car’s ABS system. This system prevents your wheels from locking up during hard braking, helping you maintain control of the vehicle. If this light stays on, you should have your ABS system inspected to ensure it’s working correctly.
10. Automatic Shift Lock or Engine Start Indicator Light
The Automatic Shift Lock or Engine Start Indicator Light signals that you need to press the brake pedal to shift the transmission out of Park or start the engine. If this light remains on or flickers, there may be an issue with the system that requires attention.
11. Seat Belt Reminder Light
This light, often accompanied by a chime, indicates that the driver or passengers haven’t fastened their seat belts. It’s essential to buckle up for safety before driving. The light will remain illuminated until all seat belts are securely fastened.
12. Airbag Warning Light
The Airbag Warning Light signals an issue with the airbag system. If this light comes on, your airbags may not deploy in the event of an accident, which is a critical safety concern. It’s important to have this checked immediately to ensure your airbags are functioning properly.
13. Security Indicator Light
This light flashes when the car’s anti-theft system is activated. If the light stays on or flashes abnormally when trying to start the vehicle, it could indicate a problem with the security system or the key fob. In some cases, this may prevent the engine from starting.
14. Washer Fluid Indicator Light
The Washer Fluid Indicator Light looks like a windshield with a stream of fluid. It means your washer fluid level is low. Maintaining sufficient washer fluid is essential for clear visibility, especially in adverse weather conditions. At Trustworthy Auto, we can quickly top off your washer fluid during routine maintenance.
15. Lane Departure Warning Light
The Lane Departure Warning Light illuminates when your vehicle detects that you’re unintentionally drifting out of your lane. If you see this light and haven’t used your turn signal, it’s a good idea to check your lane positioning or ensure that the lane departure system is functioning correctly.
16. Transmission Temperature Warning Light
The Transmission Temperature Warning Light looks like a thermometer inside a gear and signals that your transmission is overheating. High transmission temperatures can cause serious damage if not addressed promptly. If this light comes on, pull over to allow the transmission to cool and schedule an inspection at Trustworthy Auto.
What to Do When a Dashboard Light Comes On
When you see a dashboard light illuminate, the first thing to do is check the severity:
- Red lights: Stop driving and have your vehicle inspected immediately.
- Yellow or orange lights: You may have some time, but don’t delay scheduling an appointment.
- Green or blue lights: These are usually informational and indicate that a system is active.
Regardless of the light, it’s always better to have it checked sooner rather than later. At Trustworthy Auto, we emphasize preventative maintenance, ensuring that small issues don’t become larger, more costly problems.
Dashboard Diagnostics: How We Handle It at Trustworthy Auto
When you bring your vehicle to Trustworthy Auto, our ASE-certified technicians use advanced dashboard diagnostics tools to read trouble codes and understand what’s triggering the warning lights. Whether it’s the check engine light, the traction control light, or any other dashboard indicator, we can perform a full dashboard testing to identify the problem.
We also provide a courtesy vehicle health report for every car we service. This report includes photos and detailed information sent directly to you via text, ensuring transparency throughout the process.
Trust Trustworthy Auto for Dashboard Diagnostics
If you’re ever unsure about a dashboard light, give us a call at 508-639-9414, or stop by Trustworthy Auto at 246 Pine St., Seekonk, MA, 02771. Our team will walk you through the diagnostics and make sure you understand exactly what’s going on with your car.
Trust is more than just our name—it’s our promise. Let us help you get back on the road with peace of mind, knowing your vehicle is in top shape. You can also visit us online at trustworthyautoma.com for more information about our services.
