You can tell that it is not a good sign if a warning light on your car dashboard lights up. But do you understand what your warning lights mean? It is important to know exactly what they mean to ensure your safety and keep your car in a good condition.
The warning lights are there to signal car problems that you have to attend to. Read on to learn the meaning of some of the common warning lights in case you need to pull over and get help.
Oil Pressure Light
When the oil pressure light on your dashboard comes on, it could be a sign of a few things. It does not only mean that you are low on oil but also indicate that your car oil is dirty, or that you have an oil leak. We advise you to pull over to the side of the road and turn the vehicle off to check it before continuing to drive.
You should not be driving while the oil light comes on as this can cause extensive damage to your vehicle engine.
Engine Light
The symbol lights up when the engine computer detects a problem with your car system. It is most likely due to your car engine, transmission, suspension, or brake problem. The best way to identify this problem is to do a thorough diagnosis of your car. The problems may depend on the type, year, and model of the car.
But can you still drive your car if the engine light comes on? Yes. You can continue driving.
However, you should get further car inspection as soon as possible. If you detect any significant issues such as a vibrating car engine, move to a safer area and request towing service. You can contact your insurance hotline as towing service is usually free as part of your car insurance coverage.
Temperature Warning Light
When the coolant temperature warning light comes on, it means that your car engine is overheated. Insufficient cooling water or a not well-functioning cooling system may cause engine overheating.
While the car is still driveable, you run the risk of causing significant damage to your engine by letting it run when it is too hot. Therefore, if the light comes on, you should pull over as quickly and safely as possible.
Brake System Warning Light
When this light comes on, it could mean one of these two things: the hydraulic fluid (brake fluid) in the master cylinder is low, or the parking brake is engaged.
If the brake warning light comes on while you are driving, carefully pull over your car on a safer side of the road and turn off your car. The first thing you should do is check your emergency brake. If the E-brake is fully released, check your brake fluid level next.
Battery Charge Warning Light
Battery charge warning light signals a battery charging problem. It means that your car battery is no longer being charged by the alternator. It is running only on its existing power.
The battery light may light up for a second or two, but it usually turns off pretty quickly. If it stays on while the engine is running, it probably means there is something wrong with the alternator and that your car is only running on the existing battery power which will eventually run out and bring your car to a halt.
Here is what you need to do when your battery charge warning light comes on:
- Turn off all electronic components of you car such as the radio and air-conditioner
- Find the nearest workshop/service center
- If there is no workshop nearby, drive to a safer lane and stop your car
- Get a deferral service from your insurance company
Low Fuel Warning Light
Most drivers are very familiar with this symbol. It simply means that your car fuel is running low.
It is not a good idea to see if you can make it home when your car is running out of fuel. You never know how the weather or traffic will turn out, so it is best to stop at the nearest gas station and fill up.
Traction Control Light
This indicates that your vehicle traction control system is activated. The traction control system utilises your anti-lock brake system to determine if one wheel is spinning faster than another. If it detects that a wheel is slipping, it applies the brake until it regains traction. This is most helpful when you drive in rain or snow.
Understand the warning lights on your dashboard
We have shared some of the common warning lights on a car dashboard that you should pay attention to. Keep in mind that the symbols on your dashboard may vary slightly from those that we have covered. If in doubt, always refer to your car manual for your guide.
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