Deciphering Dashboard Warning Lights

We’ve all been there. You’re driving down the road when you hear a ding and see a new light illuminated on your dashboard. Your heart pumps a little faster as you look for the nearest exit or a safe place to pull over. And all the while you wonder – what’s the matter with my car?

Dashboard warning lights are designed to tell you that something may be wrong with your vehicle, but if you don’t know what they mean, they might as well be decorations. Just as it’s important to know what road signs mean, it’s also important to know what these warning symbols mean so that you can react appropriately and take care of your vehicle.

At Master Auto Repair of Webster Groves, your safety is our number one priority. We’ve put together this helpful guide covering 10 of the most common dashboard warning light symbols and what to do if you encounter them.

This is a dashboard warning sign may be one of the most concerning of the dashboard symbols because it can be triggered for hundreds of different reasons. Sometimes it may just be a minor issue like a loose gas cap, or it could be as serious as an overheating engine. This is definitely a sign you shouldn’t ignore, and if it’s flashing, you should definitely stop driving immediately! A flashing check engine light signals you could have a serious issue that can cause damage if ignored.

If this light comes on, it could mean your oil level is low. You should check this and adjust as soon as possible. If this is the case, you can top off the levels and continually monitor for any possible leaks. However, if the oil levels look fine, it may be an issue with your your engine oil pressure. This can lead to larger problems because if your engine isn’t being properly lubricated, it can wear away.

The tire pressure warning light, signals that one or more of your tires may either have too much or not enough air. Driving on low–or high–pressure tires is unsafe and could cause additional damage to your vehicle if they were to pop. In this case, it is best to pull over and monitor your tires to see if any look slightly deflated. If so, you can easily stop by a gas or service station with an air hose and fill up the tire in need of service. Typically tire pressure should fall in between 30 and 35 psi (pounds per square inch), but make sure to check the manufacturer’s label on the inside of your car to get your car’s specific requirements.

If this warning light flashes on your dashboard, pull over ASAP. This light indicates that your car’s engine is overheating. This may be due to a lack of coolant (also known as antifreeze), but it can also be a result of a number of other issues. Either way, this is a serious issue that should be addressed immediately to avoid any further damage.

If you are driving and see your traction control light kick on, it means your traction control system has been activated. This system uses your anti-lock brake system to determine if one wheel is spinning faster than another, and if it is, then it automatically applies the brakes until traction is regained. This light typically pops up on your dashboard when driving in rainy or winter weather conditions because they tend to lead to more traction issues. However, if this light comes on during stable driving conditions and/or if it remains on, that’s an indicator that there is a malfunction in the system that should be diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible.

Speaking of your brakes, you may see this warning light on your dashboard if your vehicle has detected an issue with your anti-lock brake system. Anti-lock brakes prevent your wheels from locking up in a potentially dangerous situation. It’s important to have your brakes inspected right away to find and fix the issue.

The battery warning light, oddly enough, doesn’t always indicate an issue with your battery voltage. This light can also be a warning that there is an issue with your vehicle’s charging system, such as a loose battery cable, a damaged or broken serpentine belt or a failing alternator If you wait too long to have it checked by a professional, your battery or vehicle could completely die, leaving you stranded. It’s important to take care of any battery related issues to avoid this, especially in the heat of summer or frigid winter months.

Most drivers are familiar with this symbol because it pops up the most frequently. It simply indicates that you are running low on gas. While your vehicle’s computer might report that you have plenty of fuel remaining to get to your destination, it’s not wise to risk it. These sensors don’t account for every factor like weather, traffic, and road conditions. Your best move is to stop at the nearest gas station and fill up your tank when you see this light come on.

If you see this symbol appear, you are most likely trying to shift gears or start your ignition without having your foot on the brake. The automatic shift lock will then lock your car in park or neutral until you employ the brake. It’s simple enough, but happens more often than you’d think.

This final sign is another frequent light you may notice appearing on your dash. It simply means that you are low on washer fluid. This might not seem like a major issue, but it is important to refill your washer fluid whenever you have the chance.

Now that you know what these common dashboard warning lights mean, don’t ignore them! Some of these signs are indicators of serious issues or damage to your car, and we don’t want those warnings to lead to you getting injured. Master Auto Repair of Webster Groves has been providing top-quality auto repair in St. Louis since 2000, and we have not stopped operating with a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. Angie, Sam or Lori are here for you to make auto care maintenance easy. Simply call (314)-843-0090 or click below to make an appointment and we’ll take it from there!