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Dashboard Warning Lights

WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD – INDICATOR LIGHTS

Your car’s Dashboard Warning Lights and Indicator Lights Explained

Dashboard Warning Lights or Indicator lights that appear from time to time help keep you informed of what’s happening with your car. They provide you the insight you need to keep you safe and your car performing its best.

The warning lights or indicator lights provide insight on a range of things from ‘Check Engine Light’ to ‘Door Ajar’. There’s even a warning light if you’ve accidentally left your parking brake on.

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the most common dashboard warning or indicator lights to help explain what they mean to you, the car owner. Keep in mind that not every vehicle includes every light. That will depend on the specific equipment on your car.

DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT - ABS - ANTI LOCK BRAKES
The Anti-Lock Brake System Light, also known as the ABS Light, indicates that there is a malfunction in some part of your vehicle’s anti-lock brake system.

When the malfunction is determined by your car’s onboard computer system, it triggers the warning light on your dashboard. The OBD2 codes will have to be read with proper diagnostic tools.

The warning light can be triggered for several different reasons – ranging from a dirty wheel sensor to the loss of voltage. When the light is on, the ABS or Anti-Lock brake system is disabled. You will continue to have normal brake operation, but the ABS will not be restored until your vehicle is serviced.

DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT - BRAKE LIGHT
The brake light should not be confused with the ABS light. This dashboard warning light or indicator can be triggered for a number of reasons – even the simplest on like letting you know that your parking brake is engaged. Simply disengage the parking brake – the light should go out.

Other, more serious reasons the brake light warning indicator goes on could be the lack of hydraulic pressure or low brake fluid level – both require immediate attention.

Brake fluid leaks are very dangerous. They can contaminate other brake system components or cause a total failure of your car’s brakes – without notice. If you are unsure about the reason the brake light warning indicator is on, it is safest to stop driving your car and have it towed in for service.

WARNING LIGHT - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT
The Check Engine Light is the same as a SERVICE ENGINE SOON warning indicator on your car’s dashboard. They are triggered when your vehicle’s onboard computer system detects an abnormality.

That check engine light warning indicator could mean a variety of problems. Those problems could be something as simple as a loose gas cap – to more serious issues like a faulty catalytic converter.

Once triggered, your car’s computer records and stores the fault code (also known as OBD2 code). That code details the nature of the problem – but may not pinpoint the exact cause. That’s why just knowing the fault code may not be enough to actually repair the problem.

The code will have to be retrieved with special computer diagnostic equipment. When your car’s check engine light or service engine soon warning indicator is on, you should book a service appointment to have it corrected. A flashing check engine light could be a potentially dangerous problem. See more information about the Check Engine light or book your next service appointment online right now.

 

 

WARNING LIGHT - OIL PRESSURE
The Oil Pressure Light indicates one of two things – Either the sensor that activates the Oil Pressure dashboard light has failed or your engine has low oil pressure.

Low oil pressure could be the result of a leak or your engine burning oil. Check your oil levels with a dipstick and add motor oil if needed. If your light stays on, we advise that you call for a tow. If you are experiencing a leak or just need an oil change, book your appointment on line now – it’s fast and convenient too!

WARNING LIGHT - BATTERY LIGHT
The battery light is an indication of a problem with your vehicle’s electrical system. The problem could be something as simple as a loose wire. More serious problems could be that your car battery isn’t holding a charge.

When your car’s Battery Indicator Warning Light appears, try to keep your car running. If you turn it off – it may not restart.

See more information about your car battery and how to know if you should have your car’s battery replaced.

WARNING LIGHT - TEMPERATURE WARNING - OVERHEATING
The temperature Warning Light is an indication of an overheating condition of your engine. Use extreme caution and know that your car shouldn’t be driven if the temperature warning indicator is on.

This warning light is triggered because of an overheat condition with your engine. You should pull over immediately and turn your car off to prevent costly and avoidable repairs.

Let your car cool –DO NOT OPEN THE RADIATOR OR REMOVE THE RADIATOR CAP until your car has had a chance to cool down. The coolant is extremely hot and will cause personal injury. Take immediate steps to have your cooling system checked by professionals and book your auto service appointment online right now – it’s fast and convenient too!

WARNING LIGHT - TPMS - TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR
TPMS or Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Indicator Light is an indication that there is a drop in the air pressure of one or more tires. Under inflated tires can lead to dangerous conditions and possibly cause you lose control of your vehicle.

Adding air to the low tire should correct the problem and turn the TPMS warning indicator light off. If you have to continually add air to a tire – it’s probably got a puncture causing a slow leak – and should be serviced as soon as possible.

 

 

WARNING LIGHT - TRACTION CONTROL
Traction Control is also known as Anti-Slip Regulation. Traction Control engages in slippery driving conditions when wheels are spinning out of synch. When engaged, the system triggers your ABS system to apply brake friction to even out and stabilize the wheels spinning out of synch.

When the Traction Control System Light activates, the triggering device is disabled and cannot control the amount of wheel slip in a driving situation. If the light remains illuminated for an extended period of time, you might need an OBD2 code pull for diagnosis.

WARNING LIGHT - DOOR AJAR
The Door Ajar Warning Light indicates that either a door is open or not properly closed – or that your trunk lid is open.

The Door Ajar warning light will turn off when the problem is corrected. If the light does not go out, your car may require a simple computer reset. We can do that for you – just book your next service appointment online now – it’s fast and convenient too!.

WARNING LIGHT - AIR BAG
The Airbag Warning Light indicates a problem with the air bag system on your car. When the air bag light comes on, It means that the air bags may not deploy in the event of an accident. For the safety of you and your passengers, this should be diagnosed and corrected as soon as possible. Book your next service appointment on-line now – it’s fast and convenient too!
WARNING LIGHT - BATTERY LIGHT
The battery light is an indication of a problem with your vehicle’s electrical system. The problem could be something as simple as a loose wire. More serious problems could be that your car battery isn’t holding a charge.
WARNING LIGHT - HAZARD LIGHTS
Hazard Lights or ‘Four Way Flashers’ signal caution to other motorists. This indicator light should be turned on when your hazard lights are flashing – and it should turn off when you shut the hazard lights off.
WARNING LIGHT - LOW FUEL
The Low Fuel Light engages when your vehicle’s fuel sensing unit hits a specified amount of resistance indicating the need for more gas. If your low fuel light comes on, it is probably time to fill up.
WARNING LIGHT - TIRE ROTATION
You will extend the life of your tires by rotating them on a regular basis. The Tire Rotation Warning Indicator light on your dashboard is just letting you know that it’s time to have the tires rotated. It’s a good idea to have your tires rotated on a regular basis during other maintenance service – like oil changes.
WARNING LIGHT - FOG LAMPS
The Fog Lamp Indicator simply confirms that the fog lamps on your car (if equipped) are turned on and illuminated.
WARNING LIGHT - BATTERY LIGHT
The battery light is an indication of a problem with your vehicle’s electrical system. The problem could be something as simple as a loose wire. More serious problems could be that your car battery isn’t holding a charge.
WARNING LIGHT - SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT
The Service Engine Soon Light is triggered by a systematic abnormality detected by your vehicle’s onboard computer system. This light can activate for a number of reasons that vary in severity. The Service Engine Soon Light can trigger for something as simple as a loose gas cap to something as serious as a faulty catalytic converter. Upon being triggered, a fault code, also known as OBD2 codes, detailing the nature of the issue is registered in your vehicle’s diagnostic system. This fault code is stored and can only be retrieved via diagnostic equipment. If your Service Engine Soon Light is on, make sure you bring your vehicle in for testing as soon as possible. If your Service Engine Soon Light is flashing, your onboard computer system is logging a potentially dangerous problem and you should not drive your car.
 

 

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