7 Car Dashboard Warning Lights That You Should Not Ignore

7 Dashboard warning lights

This article has been put together to assist you in understanding the common warning lights on your car's dashboard.

All warning lights should momentarily illuminate as the car starts, then switch off after a few seconds. This is a system test that confirms the system is working properly. But if it doesn't go off, it means there's a problem, and it should not be ignored. Here are some common car dashboard warning lights you should never ignore.

 

Oil Pressure Warning Light

When the engine oil pressure has decreased to a level that can cause harm or the oil level is too low, the oil pressure warning light illuminates. Driving the engine with low oil pressure can cause it to break down quickly.

Low engine oil, a malfunctioning oil pump, clogged oil passages, or a clogged oil filter are all common reasons for your oil pressure warning light to come on.

Oil pressure issues are a major concern. When the oil pressure warning light illuminates, check your oil level and, if necessary, add motor oil to the car. Remember to use the right engine oil specified for your vehicle. This is recommended in your owner's manual.

If the oil pressure indicator continues to illuminate, there may be a problem with your engine that has to be addressed. Contact a professional mechanic to inspect and repair it immediately.

Coolant Temperature Warning Light

Problems with coolant temperature are a serious matter of concern. This warning light indicates that your car’s engine is overheating. If your engine is overheating, it could be due to a coolant leak, a faulty thermostat, a damaged radiator, or an internal engine problem. Overheating problems can be detrimental, which can wreak havoc on internal engine components.

If the light on your dashboard illuminates, you should pull aside and immediately turn off the engine to allow it to cool. Allow your engine to rest, and then check your coolant level. If it's running low, top it with the appropriate coolant.

If the fault is more severe, do not drive the car until the problem is resolved. Tow the car to a mechanic who will identify and repair the actual cause of the overheating problem.

Check Engine Light

The check engine light alerts you if there is a problem with your engine. When this light comes on, there are a few probable causes to look at when investigating. They are the spark plugs, the catalytic converter, the gas cap, or the faulty sensor. The degree of the problem is determined by whether or not the warning light is lit or flashing.

It's not a major problem if the check engine light is lit. You may continue driving, but you should have the car inspected as soon as possible. A flashing check engine light, on the other hand, indicates that the engine is misfiring. You must pull over quickly since your vehicle has a critical problem that could result in fatal engine damage.

To figure out what's wrong with your car, you can use an OBD-II scan tool to troubleshoot it. If it's too much to handle, have the engine inspected by a mechanic. They will conduct a diagnostic test to determine the cause of the check engine light and then resolve the issue.

Airbag Warning Light

Your car's airbag warning light is a vital safety feature. The airbag warning light is also called an SRS light. It can come on for a variety of causes. The most typical causes of the airbag warning light are a fault with your airbag sensor, a seat belt issue, or a minor collision. If your airbag light is illuminated on your dashboard, it implies that your vehicle's safety feature has been disabled.

This means your airbags will not deploy until the problem is identified and addressed. To be on the side of caution, have it checked by a professional mechanic. If you are mechanically minded, you can use an SRS OBD2 scanner to check it for the fault.

Brake Light

Your vehicle's brakes are critical to its safety, so make sure they are always in excellent condition. If this indicator is on, it means the brake system is malfunctioning or the parking brake is engaged. Low or leaking brake fluid, worn brake pads, faulty sensors, or a jammed parking brake might cause the brake light to illuminate.

With your brake light, you should not take any chances. You have a fluid or pad problem if you have to force the brake pedal to stop or if the brake pedal drops to the floor. As quickly as possible, seek the assistance of a mechanic.

Tire Pressure Warning Light

If the light is illuminated, it means one or more of your tires could be under-inflated. Under-inflation can cause tire wear, reduced fuel economy, and even tire failure. If left unchecked, it can jeopardize your driving safety.

A decline in temperature and small puncture are the two most common causes of tire pressure loss. Using a gauge, check the air pressure in all of the tires and add air to any that require it. After pumping the tires to the recommended pressure, the warning light should switch off within a few minutes. If the tires have been punctured, you may need to replace them.

Battery Warning Light

A dashboard battery indicator shows that the battery is not charging. This means your car is running on its own charge because it isn't getting enough voltage from the car battery to function properly. The battery will eventually die, putting your car to a stop.

Causes such as a faulty alternator, damaged cells, or a corroded battery may be to blame, causing the battery warning light to illuminate. It is crucially important to have it checked by a professional as soon as possible. You may need to replace the battery if there is a major problem. However, a minor issue may only necessitate a quick repair.

Dashboard warning lights should not be ignored. They are there to enhance your car's optimal performance and are for your safety benefits. Maintaining your vehicle on a regular basis is the best approach to keep your warning light from turning on.

You'll need to do some diagnostic work to figure out what's causing the warning light. Even better, find a professional who can figure out what's causing the dash warning light to stay on and how to fix it. Whatever the problem is, get it fixed as soon as possible so that you can be safer and prevent causing damage to your engine.