Turning the ignition on in your car for the first time, you will often discover that the dashboard has lit up with a host of warning lights-a Christmas tree display that is not exactly invited. It’s quite okay that initially there is this flurry of activity, but it is very important that once the car reaches a point of idling, these lights go away. If they do, great-your car is running well, and away you can go. If any one of them stays lit throughout your drive, you must do something about it straight away. These lights are the dash warning system and signal from your car that you may have some potential problem, and ignoring those warnings will result in costly repairs or, worse still, life-threatening incidents.
In this article, we will take you through the top 5 most frequent dashboard warning lights, what they mean, and what you can do if you happen to see them. Being at a position to understand the warnings you are facing will be very key in enabling you to know what to do and thus avoid allowing small issues to metamorphose into major problems.
1. Tyre Pressure Warning
What it Looks Like?
The warning light for the tyre pressure warning light usually comes as an amber symbol depicting a cross-section of a tyre with an exclamation mark (!) in the middle.
What it Means?
When this light turns on, it is there for the purpose of letting you know that one or more of your tyres is/are at low pressure. In modern cars, this light may well be joined by an indication on your infotainment system showing which of your tyres is at fault. Tyres do tend to lose air over time, but if the warning turns on suddenly, it may be for a reason far more serious than you suspected, such as having a punctured tyre.
What You Should Do?
First, pull to the side of the road and take a look at your tyres. If you notice that a nail or some other object is projecting from the tyre, chances are that you have sustained a puncture. In any case, do not drive on a punctured tyre as this can cause further damage to the tyre, or worse, a blowout while driving.
In the event of a puncture: Either call a recovery service or, if confident and comfortable doing so, change the tyre with the spare. Most cars now come fitted with only a temporary spare-as often a “space-saver”-but remember these are only designed for short distances and lower speeds.
If no puncture is visible: It may be advisable to just top up the tyre pressure at the nearest filling station. However, that will be wise to take your car to a tyre specialist for an expert check since even the slightest problem can affect the handling of your car. A small and undetected leak may gradually deteriorate and may develop into some major problem in near future.
Correct tyre pressure helps retain all three factors: handling, braking, and fuel efficiency in your car. Under-inflated tyres can lead to increased wear and tear, and even to a sudden blowout, especially on the highway.
2. Engine Management Warning
What it Looks Like?
The most common look of this light is in the form of an amber icon shaped like an engine block.
What it Means?
When this light illuminates, it is the signal that there is some problem that has been detected by the car’s ECU. The ECU depends upon a set of sensors that monitor fuel mixture, emissions, and performance, among other things, about the engine. In case something is out of order, the light turns on to notify you that something is wrong.
The engine management light can indicate everything from a minor problem, such as a sensor malfunction, to a more serious issue like an engine misfire or catalytic converter failure.
What to Do?
If the check engine management light illuminates, you should bring your car to a stop as soon as it is safe for you to do so. This is because continuing to drive may cause the problem to escalate further into the engine and cause more costly repairs.
If the light is steady: You can often drive to a local garage, but you should have the problem diagnosed as soon as possible. It would be unwise to ignore the light, or you could end up with more serious engine damage over time.
If it is flashing: This is more serious, like an engine misfire that may result in damages to the catalytic converter. The best thing you can do in this circumstance is to stop the car immediately and call for a recovery service.
Never take the engine management warning light lightly. An issue thought minor, if not dealt with, may blow into a catastrophic failure leaving you stranded or with a massive bill.
3. Electronic Stability Control Warning
What it Looks Like?
The ESC warning light is normally an amber image of a car, with two squiggly lines underneath showing that this car has lost traction.
What it Means?
Electronic stability control works to aid you in maintaining control of your car on slippery roads. It does this by automatically making adjustments to power delivered at each wheel, preventing skidding or sliding.
If the light blinks: That would mean the system is actively working to keep you safe-likely because you are driving on a slippery surface, such as ice or wet roads. When the light were to blink, it would mean that your ESC is doing its job in those moments to help you regain control.
If it remains on: It means the system has been switched off, due to an accident or a fault. Without ESC, your car is more prone to slipping out of control, particularly on roads with poor weather conditions.
What to Do?
If the light blinks: This is nothing to be concerned about, but you should reduce your speed and try not to make jerky movements of the steering wheel and/or the pedals. That would be a sign that the system is active, and driving more carefully will prevent its re-activation.
If the light does not go off immediately : Check your vehicle’s manual to see if ESC has been manually turned off. (This is often done via a button located on the dashboard or on the centre console between the front seats.) If it has, then turn it on again. If the light remains on afterwards, take it to a garage to have it diagnosed. Driving without electronic stability control can make your car significantly less safe-particularly when driving under slippery or poor road conditions.
4. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Warning
What it Looks Like?
This would be an amber color in a circle with the letters ‘ABS’ in the middle.
What it Means?
The anti-lock braking system is an imperative safety feature. This prevents your wheels from locking up in case of hard braking. This will still enable you to have control of the steering during an emergency stop. Should this warning light come on, it shows that this system is not functioning correctly.
What You Should Do?
While the rest of your braking system will work, without it will increase stopping distance if attempting to stop in an emergency. You might be able to drive your car, but it’s best to get the system checked out ASAP by a garage.
This means without ABS you cannot stop safely on poor weather conditions, hence you should leave more space between your car and the vehicle upfront to account for the longer braking distance.
5. Oil Warning Light
What it Looks Like?
It is usually a red icon of an oil can with a single drop falling from the spout.
What it Means?
This is a light indicating that the pressure of your engine’s oil is too low, or the temperature of the oil is too high. Both might bring severe damage to your engine if it is not resolved. The low oil pressure is indication of the fact that some vital parts of the engine might not be well lubricated, since the friction will be higher and can cause catastrophic damage. High oil temperature shows that the oil does not cool down the engine components well, what can lead to overheating.
What to Do?
If the oil warning light lights up, stop the car straight away and turn off the engine. Driving with too low oil pressure or too high oil temperature can irreversibly damage the engine.
Check the oil level with the dipstick. If the level is below the low mark, fill up with the right type of oil for your car.
Now, with the addition of oil, check for leaks underneath the car or in the engine bay. If you find any leaks, do not continue driving; instead, call a recovery service immediately.
If this is because you’ve topped up with oil and yet the light remains on, then the problem may be more serious. In this case, it would be better to call for assistance and tow it into a garage for a full inspection.
Making you overlook that oil warning light may be the most costly car repair you will ever have, since most of the time severe engine damage requires an all-new replacement engine.
Conclusion: Never Ignore Dashboard Warning Lights
In simple terms, dashboard warning lights are your car’s way of trying to tell you something. While many lights will point out minor issues, others may turn on with serious problems that need immediate attention. Speed will be crucial in preventing costly repairs and, in some instances, unsafe driving. Knowing what these lights mean and just how to react can make all the difference in being able to get a simple repair instead of a costly breakdown.
If anything seems amiss, take the safest option. It might be to pull over and check your tyres, to add oil, or get your car to a garage for an inspection. By following these simple guidelines, you can keep your car well serviced and be safe on the roads.
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