Dashboard Lights - What Do They Mean?

Brake Warning Light

If this light remains on once you have released your parking brake, then there could be an issue with your brake fluid levels. This can be a tricky one to check yourself so you should take it to your nearest garage to have checked. 

If there is an issue with the braking system you may also have an ABS or EBD light on the dashboard too. This needs urgent attention as it could indicate a total malfunction of the braking system and your brakes may not be working properly.

If this light is on in your vehicle and you need it looked at, you should stop driving as soon as you can you can book it in at an Ancaster dealership today by clicking here.

Engine Management Light

Sometimes known as the check engine or ECU light, this light covers a multitude of issues. It will usually accompany some tell tale signs that there is a fault such as less power or the engine taking longer to start or stuttering on acceleration. 

The issues this is highlighting can be something small like an electronic malfunction or a much larger fault like something wrong with the catalytic converter. Either way, if there is an issue with the engine you should have this checked as soon as possible. 

You should not drive with the engine management light on as you could cause the further, irreparable damage to the engine - and replacement engines are big bucks!

If your engine management light is on you can book it in at an Ancaster Dealership to be checked here.

Airbag Warning Light

This is also knowns as the SRS system and when this light goes red it means there is an issue with any part of the airbag safety system. This could be: the airbag system itself, the passenger occupant classification system - this detects the weight of the passenger to ensure the airbag is deployed correctly or the seat belt pretensioner system which ensures the seat belt tightens on the passenger in case of a crash. 

You can continue to drive with this light on, however it does mean that your airbags may not deploy correctly in the event of a crash. They are a crucial part of your cars safety system and should be kept fully functional for the safety of you and your passengers. 

Power Steering Warning Light

This light means there is something wrong with the power steering system. Sometimes this can be fixed by a computer reboot. Find a safe place to stop and turn your engine off dor 30 seconds ro more and then turn it on again, this could fix the issue.

If the light remains on you will need to take it to a garage to be checked and fixed. 

You can continue to drive with this light on and if the power steering is not working, however the steering will feel a lot heavier and the car will be more difficult to manoeuvre. You should avoid driving at high speeds such as on the motorway and take your car to be checked as soon as possible.

Engine Temperature Warning Light

This red light will come on if the engine is overheating. If this light comes on you must stop as soon as it is safe to do so and allow your engine to cool. 

You could be running low on coolant due to a leak or it could be something more serious like a fault with the head gasket. 

Once the engine has had time to cool you should check your coolant level and top up as necessary. If the light goes out you should be fine to continue your journey, however if it comes back on it is advisable that you have your car checked immediately. 

Your engine can be irreplaceably damaged if you do not keep the coolant topped up, you may also find your engine cuts out, in this case call for breakdown assistance asap. 

If the light is orange, your coolant levels are running low and you should top them up asap. You shouldn't make any long journeys. Ensure your engine has cooled before topping up your coolant. 

Low Tyre Pressure Warning Light

This light will come on when your tyre pressure drops. This could be by only one or two psi but you should always check and top up the air in your tyres as soon as possible.

If the light remains on, you may need to take it to a garage to be looked at or it could mean you have a slow puncture.

You should take extra care when driving with a slow puncture and avoid high speeds or prolonged journeys or braking suddenly. 

Oil Warning Light

This light will come on if the oil level is too low or if the oil temperature gets too high. 

If your engine is not being lubricated well enough by the oil it could cause irreparable damage to your engine.

You should not drive your vehicle once this light come on. You should stop as soon as it is safe to do so and check your car for any leaks and top up your oil level if necessary. 

If your oil levels are ok, it could be a faulty oil pump. In this case you will need to call for breakdown assistance and have your car checked as soon as possible. 

If you top up your oil and the light goes out, you should be ok to continue driving. 

Battery Warning Light

This light means your battery is not charging. This could be due to a number of issues: a faulty alternator, faulty battery, bad electrical connection or damaged wiring. 

You can continue to drive with this light on but once your battery runs out of charge nothing in your car will work so you will need to get to a garage as soon as possible.

If your battery runs out of charge, you can try jump starting it from another vehicle or call you breakdown assistance. 

ABS Warning Light

The ABS light indicates that there is an issue with the Anti-Lock Brake System. This is an important feature that assists you when you need to make an abrupt stop or when you are driving in dangerous conditions such as icy roads. 

If this light comes on by itself you can continue driving as you will be able to use your brakes normally. You should still have this checked when you can.

If this light comes on alongside the brake warning light then you should stop immediately and seek roadside assistance as this could indicate complete brake system failure. 

ESP Warning Light

The Electric Stability Problem light indicates an issue with traction control.

If it is flashing it means it is intervening with your driving, you maybe on a slippery road and it is steadying the car. If it is on permanently then there is a fault in the system. If it says OFF underneath then you have switched this feature off. 

You can continue to drive without this on but it is an important safety feature on your car and should be checked and fixed to help keep you and your passengers safe. 

Brake Pad Warning Light

If this light comes on it means your brake pads could be too thin. 

This light should come on before the thickness is at a dangerous level, giving you time to get them changed. If you leave the pads to wear out completely it could be extremely dangerous.

Diesel Particulate Filter Warning Light

If you drive a diesel this light indicates that there is an issue with the particulate filter. This reduces harmful soot from the exhaust gases which reduces emissions. 

If thsi light comes on you should take your car to a garage asap. You can continue to drive with this on but it will cause toxic black smoke to come out of your exhaust each time you accelerate and can cause serious damage to your car if it is not changed.