Car Dashboard Warning Lights Guide
Understanding your car's dashboard warning lights is crucial for safe driving. This guide covers all the common warning lights you might encounter and what they mean.
Color Guide
Filter Warning Lights
Engine Temperature Warning Light
Indicator light means the engine temperature has exceeded normal limits. Check coolant level, fan operation, radiator cap, coolant leaks.
Action
Stop the vehicle immediately and check coolant level
Battery Charge Warning Light
Indicator light means that the car's charging system is short of power or is not charging properly. It normally indicates a problem with the battery itself or the alternator.
Action
Check battery connections and alternator
Oil Pressure Warning Light
Indicator light means loss of oil pressure, meaning lubrication is low or lost completely. Immediately check the oil level and pressure.
Action
Stop immediately and check oil level
Brake Warning Light
Indicator light turns on when the handbrake is on. If it lit continuously, it means that hydraulic pressure has been lost in one side of the brake system or that the fluid level in the master cylinder is dangerously low (due to a leak somewhere in the brake system).
Action
Check brake fluid level and brake system
Transmission Temperature
Indicator light means the transmission temperature has exceeded normal limits. Check transmission fluid level and cooling system.
Action
Stop and let transmission cool down
Tire Pressure Warning Light
Indicator light means the pressure is low in one of your tires.
Action
Check and inflate tires to proper pressure
Traction Control Off
Indicator light means that the vehicles TCS (traction control system) has been deactivated.
Action
Reactivate traction control system
Steering Wheel Lock
Indicator light means your steering wheel is locked and can not be moved. To turn off the steering lock, insert the key into the ignition and turn it to at least the first position while turning the steering wheel in either direction.
Action
Insert key and turn steering wheel
Trailer Tow Hitch Warning
Indicator lights mean that the tow hitch is unlocked or that there's an issue with the lighting system.
Action
Check tow hitch connection and trailer lights
Traction Control Light
Indicator light turns on when the vehicle TCS (traction control system) is activated.
Action
Normal operation - no action needed
Service Vehicle Soon
Indicator light turns on when there is a fault condition in an area of the vehicle chassis systems such as—the anti-lock (ABS) brake system, the traction control (TCS) system, the electronic suspension system, or the brake hydraulic system.
Action
Schedule service appointment
Security Alert
Indicator light will turn on momentarily if the ignition switch is locked and will need the proper transponder-equipped key to restart. If the light is visible when the vehicle is on, then it typically indicates a malfunction in the security system.
Action
Use proper key or contact dealer
Side Airbag
Indicator light means a fault with the side airbag.
Action
Contact dealer immediately
Reduced Power Warning
Indicator light means that the Engine Computer has limited engine power output.
Action
Drive carefully and schedule service
Seat Belt Indicator
Indicator light means that a seat belt has not been secured for a passenger in the vehicle.
Action
Fasten all seat belts
Press Clutch Pedal
Indicator to push the clutch.
Action
Press clutch pedal to start
Powertrain Fault
Indicator light turns on when a powertrain or AWD fault has been detected. Contact your mechanic as soon as possible.
Action
Contact mechanic immediately
Power Steering Warning Light
Indicator light turns on if there is an issue with the power steering system, and will be disabled until fixed.
Action
Contact dealer for repair
Press Brake Pedal
Indicator to push the brake pedal.
Action
Press brake pedal to start
Parking Brake Light
Indicator light means park brake is on.
Action
Release parking brake before driving
Overdrive Light
Indicator light means that the vehicle's overdrive system has been manually turned off.
Action
Normal operation - can be reactivated
Oil Change Reminder
Indicator light means that oil life has expired.
Action
Schedule oil change service
Master Warning Light
Indicator light usually accompanied by another warning light and indicates that one or more warning systems have been detected.
Action
Check all other warning lights
Information Warning Light
Indicator light will turn on when a new message is stored in the information display. It will be red or amber in color depending on the severity of the message and will remain on until the cause of the message has been rectified.
Action
Check information display for details
Icy Road Warning Light
Indicator light turns on when the outside air starts to reach freezing temperatures, around 35°F or 3°C.
Action
Drive carefully on icy roads
Gas/Fuel Cap
Indicator light turns on if the gas/fuel cap is not properly tightened.
Action
Tighten fuel cap properly
ESP Fault/Traction Control Malfunction
Indicator light means that there is a problem with the vehicle's traction control.
Action
Contact dealer for repair
Electric Park Brake
Indicator light turns on when the electric parking brake has a malfunction.
Action
Contact dealer for repair
Distance Warning
Indicator light means that a vehicle in front is too close or is being approached too quickly, or that a stationary obstacle exists in the direction of travel.
Action
Increase following distance
Clogged Air Filter
Indicator light turns on when there is reduced airflow to the engine. Have the air filter replaced or inspected.
Action
Replace or clean air filter
Child Safety Lock
Indicator light means child safety lock is active.
Action
Normal operation - can be deactivated
Check Engine or Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Indicator light turns on whenever the engine is turned on to check the bulb. If the light stays illuminated, the car's diagnostic systems have detected a malfunction that needs to be investigated.
Action
Have engine diagnosed by mechanic
Catalytic Converter Warning
Indicator light means the catalytic converter is either overheating or not operating as intended.
Action
Contact dealer immediately
Brake Fluid
Indicator light means that the brake fluid level is low.
Action
Check brake fluid level and add if needed
Brake Pad Warning
Indicator light means that the brake pads are worn.
Action
Replace brake pads
Brake Lights Warning
Indicator light means an exterior brake light bulb is defective. Check the operation of all the exterior brake light bulbs.
Action
Replace defective brake light bulb
Automatic Gearbox Warning
Indicator light means there's a gearbox/transmission malfunction.
Action
Contact dealer for transmission repair
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Indicator light means there may be a malfunction in the ABS system.
Action
Contact dealer for ABS repair
All Wheel Drive (AWD/4WD)
Indicator light turns on when there is a malfunction with the 4WD system.
Action
Contact dealer for 4WD system repair
Airbag Indicator
Indicator light turns on when the front airbag is switched off. If this lamp lights up or flashes there is a fault in the airbag or seatbelt system.
Action
Contact dealer for airbag system repair
Airbag Deactivated
Indicator light turns on when there is a fault in the rear spoiler system.
Action
Contact dealer for airbag system repair
Adaptive Suspension Dampers
Indicator light means there is a need to contact an authorised repairer.
Action
Contact authorized repairer
4 Wheel Drive (4WD) LOCK Indicator Light
Indicator light means that the vehicle's 4WD Lock mode is activated.
Action
Normal operation - 4WD lock is active
Air Suspension
Indicator light means that there is a problem with the air suspension bags, likely due to a leak or inflation issue.
Action
Contact dealer for air suspension repair
Low Beam Indicator Light
Indicator light means that the vehicles dipped beam is on.
Action
Normal operation - low beams are on
Lamp Out
Indicator light means that there is an exterior light on the vehicle that is not functioning properly.
Action
Replace defective exterior light bulb
High Beam Light Indicator
Indicator light means your car's high beam headlights are on, or if the high beam flash function is used.
Action
Normal operation - high beams are on
Headlight Range Control
Indicator light turns on if there is an issue detected with the headlight range control system.
Action
Contact dealer for headlight system repair
Front Fog Lights
Indicator light means front fog lights are turned on.
Action
Normal operation - fog lights are on
Exterior Light Fault
Indicator light means any exterior light on your car isn't working.
Action
Check and replace defective exterior lights
Auto High Beam
Indicator light means the Auto High Beam system has switched on high beam headlights.
Action
Normal operation - auto high beam is active
AdBlue Tank is Empty
Indicator light means you have to fill the tank with more exhaust fluid.
Action
Refill AdBlue tank
AdBlue Malfunction
Indicator light means either the AdBlue system is malfunctioning or the system is not filled with the standard liquid.
Action
Contact dealer for AdBlue system repair
Water Fluid Filter Warning
Indicator light means water in fuel filter has reached maximum capacity. Drain the water from filter.
Action
Drain water from fuel filter
Important Tips
Red lights require immediate attention - stop driving if safe to do so
Yellow lights indicate a problem that needs attention soon
Green lights show normal operation - no action needed
Blue lights provide information or comfort features
Always refer to your vehicle's manual for specific instructions