Meanings of The Most Common Car Dashboard Signs

All of us had this experience at least once. You drive in a good mood of the nice view but only, a beep sound makes you look at the dashboard. You look forward and see a symbol illuminated. You worry about your car and you are not sure what is wrong.

Some symbols of the dashboard are easy to understand while some of them are hard to tell. Nevertheless, it is highly important to comprehend their implications in case you need someone to help you out.

Car Dashboard Symbol Types

Not every indication on your dashboard is to warn you. Some are related to the functions of the vehicle (e.g. headlights or cruise control), safety features (e.g. blind-spot monitoring and lane departure alerts), or readings of mechanical problems (like low tire pressure or high engine temperature).

Dashboard light colors matter!

• The green or blue lights simply indicate that the system is active.

• The orange or yellow warning lights say that the vehicle needs servicing soon. But they should not worry you immediately. Since they are not urgent matters.

• Red lights especially flashing lights are the ones that show a critical issue. Flashing ones can be reminders like seatbelt warnings and others can be serious mechanical issues such as overheating engines. If there is a red mechanical warning, then pull over right away and assess the situation. Ignoring this warning could result in extensive damage or the car might fail to operate altogether.

Salient points to note:

• Dashboard symbols are not universal; they differ according to car models. So, always consult your owner’s manual if you're not sure what it signifies.

• Most vehicles have an internally luminous dashboard below the steering column. It houses a plastic holder reserved for the owner’s manual.

• A lot of the time, the dashboard warnings will blink briefly when you start the engine. If they do go out in a couple of seconds then the system is doing well.

18 usual Dashboard lights

Oil Pressure Light

Meaning: This oil can symbol is of a vintage style. It suggests an outdated problem in your car's oil pressure system. It goes to show that the oil level is low, or it is a faulty oil pump that is not circulating oil. Some cars instead display the word "OIL" on the screen as opposed to using an illustration.

What to do:

Park the vehicle safely, switch off the engine, and check the oil level using the dipstick. Search for any visible oil leaks on the engine. Adding oil could turn off the light if it was low. If everything was fine with the oil level but you are still hearing the engine make noise. Then the likely cause could be the oil pump.

If the oil level is normal but the warning light is still on, then the oil pressure sensor is damaged. Generally, it is good practice to have a mechanic check your vehicle out ASAP to mitigate the possibility of engine damage.

Tire Pressure Light

Meaning: This symbol is better known as the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light. It signals a situation of improper tire pressure. The symbol stays steadily on means one or more tires are either overclocked or under-inflated. If the light is flashing (for 60-90 seconds at startup) this indicates a TPMS sensor problem.

What to do:

Correct the tire pressure as per the recommendations. Driving with improper tire pressures can be both risky and cause premature wear or damage. If the TPMS light is still on even after you inflate the tires, then repair or replace the sensors.

Engine Temperature Light

Meaning: The sign under this heading denotes that the car engine is having too hot condition. It usually results from a coolant problem.

What to do:

Switch off the A/C and turn on the heater to help redistribute the heat. If the problem persists pull over safely and switch off the engine. Give at least 15 minutes before you open the hood to avoid burning by steam. Call roadside assistance if you need a coolant top-up or a tow to a repair shop.

Traction Control Light

Meaning: This light displays that your traction control system (TCS) is active. The system functions with the anti-lock braking system (ABS). It prevents the wheels from slipping by selectively applying the brakes.

What to do:

Drive cautiously, mainly on wet roads, and on icy roads.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Warning Light

Meaning: The wheels may lock up while hard braking. BRAKE system light indicates that there’s a problem with it.

What to do:

As the ABS is a crucial safety measure so have a mechanic take a look at it without any delay.

Traction Control Malfunction Light

Meaning: This means the traction control system (TCS) is not functioning properly. It could be due to a bad sensor or it may relate to the ABS module. Since both systems sometimes share components.

What to do:

It may not affect everyday driving. But it is important to inspect it to ensure your automobile works properly in bad weather conditions.

Engine Warning Light (Check Engine Light)

Meaning: The check engine light is one of the lights that come on for various reasons at different times. A gas cap, for instance, can be open, loose, or cracked, and fuel can evaporate. In more serious terms, however, it could signify low oil pressure or overheating of the engine. (Some vehicles may show "CHECK ENGINE" instead of this symbol.)

What to do:

If the car continues working properly without any sounds or smells, you have to drive back home or to a garage.

However, if it flashes or becomes red, you should immediately stop driving. Usually, a blinking indicator of the check engine means there is a serious problem inside that may cause severe damage if left unattended. In both situations, be sure to have your vehicle properly checked and repaired right away.

Battery Alert Light

Meaning: This light serves as an indicator of the car's charging system problem. The causes might be some loose or broken battery cables, a defective alternator, or any other electrical problem. Sometimes you will see the headlights dimming or the clock will start fading. In other circumstances, the vehicle might not start at all.

What to do:

If you are facing issues relating to the battery or electrical system, it would be a good idea to get them diagnosed by a professional. When a replacement is required, using the very best battery brand in America, (Interstate Batteries) is a wise choice. You could need a jump-start just to arrive at the repair shop if you decide to ignore the battery issue until it's too late!

Low Fuel Indicator Light

Meaning: This is a very common signal indicating that you have almost no fuel left in the vehicle.

What to do:

The best way is always to go to the gas station before you run out of gas. Unforeseen circumstances like bad weather or heavy traffic can lead you to a dangerous situation.

Tip: Most of the cars show a little arrow next to the gas pump icon on the fuel gauge. It denotes the side of the car where the fuel tank is concerning the gas station.

Automatic Shift Lock or Engine Start Indicator Light

Meaning: This symbol is displayed when you try to shift gears or start the ignition without pressing the brake. The automatic shift lock does not allow the driver to move a car from the park or neutral position without unlocking it. It is done by pressing the brake pedal first.

What to do:

You simply need to press the brake before you shift or start the ignition.

Seat Belt Reminder Light

Meaning: This light is meant to remind either of you as the driver or your passengers to fasten their seatbelt. In most cases, the light is followed by a beep at a regular interval.

What to do:

Fasten your seatbelt! The CDC revealed that if people wear a seatbelt, it will cut down on the risk of serious crash injuries by 50%.

Airbag Indicator Light

Meaning: With the lighting of this icon, there is an issue with the airbag or the airbag system.

What to do:

Get your vehicle checked right away! Airbags provide critical protection for you in the event of an accident, hence it is very important to ensure that they are working properly.

Security Indicator Light

Meaning: This is a part of your car’s anti-theft system. The blinking light means the security system is armed. The solid light indicates that the immobilization system has been triggered, either due to a security threat or a malfunction. If the system is running solid when your car is running, then there is something wrong that needs to be fixed.

What to do:

In case your vehicle is immobilized, the first thing you should do is check the owner's manual for instructions. Check how to deactivate the security system. If there is a malfunction, the security system will not operate correctly until it is repaired.

 Fog Lamp Indicator Light

Meaning: This light simply indicates that the fog lights are on.

What to do:

Only use fog lights for visibility conditions of less than 100 yards. Using fog lights unnecessarily may hinder other drivers from seeing clearly.

Washer Fluid Indicator Light

Meaning: This symbol is a pair of windshield wipers moving in motion, it is a sign that your washer fluid level is low.

What to Do:

Refill the washer fluid reservoir as soon as possible.

Brake Warning Light

Meaning: If this symbol—or the word “BRAKE” in red—appears, either your parking brake is engaged or there’s a problem with the braking system.

What to Do:

The first thing to do is to check if the parking brake is engaged. Try setting and releasing it while the vehicle is in the park. After that, if the light is on, even when the parking brake is released, you should have your car towed to a repair center for inspection.

Lane Departure Warning Light

Meaning: So many modern cars have it. The Lane Departure Warning System is a part of this feature that will light up a dashboard light and make a sound if the car goes out of its lane.

What to Do:

Adjust your steering as necessary to avoid going out of your lane. Note that the warning may also come on if you are changing lanes intentionally.

Transmission Temperature Warning Light

Meaning: This symbol coming up indicates that your transmission is running hot. This might be a result of low transmission fluid, excessive towing, or components of the transmission that are worn.

What to Do:

Pull over as quickly as it is safe, then shut off the vehicle. Once the transmission has cooled down, try driving again, and then go to a repair shop. If the light is still on and you have a long way to go, ask for tow service to avoid worsening the situation.

Conclusion

Knowing the dashboard warning lights of your car is the key to safety and avoiding costs that come with repairs. Some lights only indicate minor issues while others need immediate solutions to prevent serious damage. Not attending these in time will lead to the car breaking down or being unsafe. So, make sure to take action promptly by consulting your owner’s manual or seeking professional help.