Whether it’s a seat belt sign or the dreaded “Check Engine Light,” lit dashboard icons aren’t something you want to disregard.
What may seem like a harmless glow today can snowball into a costly repair tomorrow.
But with so many of them, how do you know what each one means?
Don’t worry — we’ve got you!
Through this guide, you can learn to decode, understand, and tackle those cryptic symbols like a seasoned automotive detective.
But first, let’s explore the role of the dashboard lights.
This Article Contains
- What are Dashboard Lights and Why Are They Important?
- 12 Common Dashboard Warning Lights and How to Fix Them
- 10 Other Dashboard Indicator Lights
- Additional Feature Lights
What are Dashboard Lights and Why Are They Important?
Dashboard lights are your car’s way of communicating with you through symbols associated with different car parts.
But wait!
Not all warning lights mean an imminent danger to your vehicle. Some lights are simple indicators to show that a specific feature is activated or that you need to use a safety feature before starting your ride.
When it comes to car dashboard warning lights, colors also matter. Not all cars support the same color scheme, but in general, here’s what they mean:
- Green or blue lights: A system is on or operating.
- Orange or yellow warning lights: Your vehicle needs a service or repair soon. These warnings are less urgent, but you should address them promptly.
- Red warning lights: Your vehicle needs immediate attention. A red light indicates a serious issue, such as a safety warning (like a seat belt reminder) or a mechanical fault warning (like the engine overheating). When a red light appears or is blinking, pull over ASAP and call for assistance.
With the basics out of the way, let’s check out what these dashboard lights mean.
12 Common Dashboard Warning Lights and How to Resolve Them
Here are some common car warning lights and what they indicate:
Here are some common car warning lights and what they indicate:
1. Check Engine Light
What it is:
The Check Engine Light presents as a silhouetted engine or simply as an all-caps “CHECK ENGINE” message.
However, the engine light is the most ambiguous warning light as it can relate to any issue with the engine or emission system. Sometimes, a loose gas cap can also trigger the engine warning light.
What to do:
If the Check Engine Light turns on or blinks and the vehicle begins to operate erratically or make strange noises, it requires immediate attention. Pull over immediately and call for a tow. But if the engine light illuminates while driving and nothing seems wrong, you can continue driving, but your next stop should be an auto shop.
2. Battery Warning Light
What it is:
This dashboard warning light appears as a battery-shaped icon, indicating something’s amiss with your vehicle’s electrical system.
A battery warning light could activate due to a faulty alternator, a weak battery, loose or damaged cables, or even a malfunctioning voltage regulator.
What to do:
Firstly, don’t panic!
Inspect the battery connections. Make sure they are securely fastened, clean, and free from corrosion. If the connections seem fine, assess the battery condition using a multimeter or seek assistance from a professional mechanic. A weak or dead battery could be the reason the battery light comes on.
Sometimes, a faulty alternator could prevent it from charging properly.
3. Brake Warning Light
What it is:
Represented as an exclamation mark inside a circle or the word “BRAKE” in red, this warning light signifies that there might be an issue with your vehicle’s braking system.
The brake warning light could come on due to low brake fluid, brake pad wear, or a malfunctioning brake system.
In some vehicles, an engaged parking brake can also trigger the brake system warning light.
What to do:
Check if your parking brake is engaged and release it. Also, check if your car needs a brake fluid top-up. If the brake system warning light remains on, get a tow to the service center or call a mobile auto repair mechanic to inspect the brake pad material or other system parts.
4. Tire Pressure Warning Light
What it is:
A tire pressure monitoring system light resembles an exclamation mark within a horseshoe-like shape, representing a tire.
When the tire pressure warning light comes on, it indicates that the tire pressure in one or more of your tires is either too low or too high.
What to do:
Check for high or low tire pressure and adjust it to the recommended levels given in the owner’s manual. While checking the tire pressure, inspect your tires for cuts, bulges, or punctures.
If you’ve fixed the tire pressure and there’s no physical damage, but the warning light persists or reoccurs, it could indicate a malfunction in the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Get a qualified mechanic to diagnose and resolve any TPMS-related issues.
5. Engine Temperature Warning Light
What it is:
Also called the coolant warning light, this symbol resembles a thermometer submerged in liquid or a thermometer with wavy lines indicating heat.
The engine temperature warning light indicates that the engine or coolant temperature is higher than the normal operating range, signaling a potential overheating issue. The coolant warning light could come on due to a broken water pump, low coolant level, coolant leak, or a faulty radiator.
What to do:
- Pull over immediately, as driving with an overheated engine can lead to severe engine damage.
- Only when the engine has cooled down, check the coolant level in the radiator or coolant reservoir and top it up if needed.
- Look for any signs of coolant leaks, such as puddles beneath the vehicle or steam escaping from the engine compartment.
- If you suspect a leak or can’t identify the cause of overheating, seek professional help.
6. Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
What it is:
The engine oil pressure warning light resembles an oil can or oil lamp. This warning light alerts you when there is a drop in engine oil pressure, indicating a potential problem with the lubrication system, like a blown piston ring or a broken oil pump.
The oil pressure light can also indicate low oil pressure due to insufficient oil, and that your car needs an oil top-up to prevent engine damage.
What to do:
- Find a suitable place to pull over and turn off the engine.
- Check your engine oil level using the dipstick and add oil if needed.
- Inspect the area around the engine for any signs of oil leaks, as they could lead to low oil pressure.
- If there are no leaks, seek the help of an auto repair professional to diagnose the oil pressure light.
7. Traction Control Warning Light
What it is:
This warning light resembles a car with squiggly lines or skid marks. It indicates when there’s a problem with your vehicle’s traction control system.
When the traction control system malfunctions, it may result in reduced traction during acceleration. This increases the risk of losing control of the vehicle, especially on slippery or uneven surfaces.
What to do:
Try turning off the engine and restarting the vehicle to see if the traction control light disappears. If not, continue driving, but be aware of slippery conditions.
If this light accompanies other car dashboard warning lights, such as the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) or Check Engine Light, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance.
8. ABS Warning Light
What it is:
The ABS warning light is represented by the letters “ABS” inside a circle or as an illuminated brake system icon. The ABS light indicates a fault within the ABS system (Anti-lock Braking System) that’s responsible for enhancing the vehicle’s stability and control.
What to do:
While the primary braking system should still function, get the ABS module inspected at a service center to ensure optimal braking performance.
9. Airbag Warning Light
What it is:
The airbag warning light is typically a person seated with an inflated airbag in front of them. It indicates something is wrong with an airbag or the entire airbag system.
A faulty airbag could increase the risk of injury during a collision.
NOTE: Some vehicles may also display the SRS warning light on the dashboard, alongside or instead of the airbag symbol. The SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) is a critical safety system that includes airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, and crash sensors designed to protect you in the event of a collision.
What to do:
Get your car checked out immediately!
10. Transmission Temperature Warning Light
What it is:
The transmission dashboard light resembles a thermometer or a gear with wavy lines and may include the letter “T” or “TMP” to indicate temperature. It illuminates when the transmission fluid temperature rises above the recommended operating range.
What to do:
Pull over, turn off the vehicle, and wait for it to cool down before driving again. Inspect for low transmission fluid level and top it up or get to a repair shop as soon as possible.
11. Light Out Warning Light
What it is:
This warning light alerts you when your vehicle’s exterior light malfunctions or there’s a blown fuse. This can include headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and other similar components.
What to do:
Check all your vehicle’s exterior lights and replace the faulty ones. If the bulb isn’t the issue, get a mechanic to check for loose connections, wiring, or a blown fuse.
12. Power Steering Warning Light
What it is:
The power steering light is represented by a red or yellow steering wheel icon, often with an exclamation point on the side. It illuminates when there’s a problem with the steering system.
What to do:
If the car has hydraulic power steering, the light often means the power steering fluid reservoir is low or that there’s a faulty power steering pump.
If your vehicle has electric power steering (EPS), schedule service to have a mechanic diagnose the issue.
Now, let’s look at the other equally important dashboard lights.
10 Other Dashboard Indicator Lights
Here’s what different indicator lights mean on your dash:
1. Master Warning Light
The master warning light, a red or yellow triangle with an exclamation mark, is a general warning that triggers for various reasons, from low washer fluid to engine issues. Have a mechanic check it out to resolve the issue.
2. Headlight High Beam Indicator
It commonly resembles an uppercase letter “D” with vertical lines projecting leftwards. This indicator light shows that your vehicle’s high-beam headlights are on.
3. Low Fuel Indicator
This malfunction indicator light appears as a small fuel pump icon. It means you’re running low on fuel and must stop at the nearest gas station.
4. Turn Signal Indicator
The turn indicator appears as a set of blinking arrows. It shows that your vehicle’s right or left turn signal is active.
NOTE: If the indicator flashes faster than usual, check if a front or rear turn signal light bulb has burned out.
5. Seat Belt Indicator
This dashboard indicator light resembles a person wearing a seatbelt, indicating that one of the seatbelts in your vehicle isn’t secure. It’s also usually accompanied by a repetitive sound.
6. Fog Lights Indicator
This symbol depicts a small light source surrounded by curved lines, showing that your fog lights are on.
7. Cruise Control Indicator
The indicator features an icon or symbol resembling a speedometer with an arrow pointing to a set speed. It indicates that the cruise control system is active and will maintain a set speed without the accelerator pedal being depressed.
8. Parking Brake Light
This brake system light features a symbol resembling the letter “P” or the word “BRAKE.” It indicates that the parking brake lever or pedal is engaged.
9. Service Due Indicator
This car dashboard light may display the words “SERVICE” or “MAINT REQD” on the car dashboard. It’s a reminder that a specific service is due, based on the vehicle’s mileage or time elapsed.
10. Washer Fluid Warning Light
This malfunction indicator light resembles a wiper blade with a stream of fluid spraying from it. Some vehicles may also display text such as “WASHER FLUID” or “WASHER” to indicate low fluid.
In addition to the basic warning and indicator lights, a modern car dashboard may show extra lights to indicate special features.
Additional Feature Lights
If you own a modern car, it might come equipped with Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) — a collection of features that enhance drivability.
These systems use sensors, radar, cameras, and other technology to provide real-time car information and automate certain driving tasks.
Here are some of the ADAS indicator lights:
- Security Indicator Light: If your car has an anti-theft system, a light resembling a key or a padlock will blink steadily when the security system is alarmed.
- Daytime Running Light: This dashboard indicator light resembles a small headlight or a sun with rays emanating from it. It means that the daytime running light is on and operating properly.
- Blind-Spot Monitoring Light: The indicator resembles a car with arrows pointing to the sides. It indicates that the system is monitoring blind spots on either side of your vehicle.
- Lane Departure Warning Light: The light resembles lane markings on a road, with arrows or a vehicle pointing away from the center. It indicates that your ADAS system can detect when your vehicle unintentionally drifts out of its lane.
- Gas or Fuel Cap Indicator: A symbol resembling the fuel cap or “CHECK FUEL CAP” text indicates that your fuel cap is loose.
- Forward Collision Warning Indicator: The light resembles a vehicle, typically with lines or arrows indicating a potential collision. This dashboard warning light alerts you of a potential collision with the vehicle ahead.
- Distance Warning Light: The indicator resembles a car, along with lines or dots representing the distance between vehicles. It alerts you to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead or when it detects objects nearby.
- Child Safety Lock Indicator: This indicator resembles a child or a silhouette of a person, often enclosed within a circle. It means that the child safety lock is engaged on the rear doors.
- Four-Wheel-Drive or All-Wheel-Drive Indicator: Represented by “4WD” or “AWD” text, this indicator shows when your vehicle’s 4WD or AWD system is active.
NOTE: The car warning lights on your dash may differ slightly from the ones on our list. If unsure, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Additionally, some dashboard lights will illuminate briefly when you start your car. There’s nothing to worry about if they turn off within a few seconds.
Resolve Dashboard Lights with AutoNation Mobile Service
Whether it’s the ABS Light, low oil pressure, or any other system warning light, ignoring these lights can lead to more significant problems down the road.
If you need help diagnosing a car warning light and addressing the underlying problem, AutoNation Mobile Service is here at your service!
Our expert mobile mechanics are available seven days a week to decode and fix dashboard warning lights right from your driveway. We offer a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty on all repairs, so you can trust us to do a reliable and efficient job.
Contact us to schedule service for a car warning light diagnosis.