There are many different car warning lights that you might see pop on your dash over time. Its a good idea to know their meaning before they come on. Then you can make an informed decision on what to do when it happens. Some warnings can be ignored when they come on and dealt with at your convenience, these are usually yellow or orange in colour. Red car warning lights are a higher priority and in some cases you can damage your vehicle if you continue to drive with them on. Green or blue car warning lights come on to tell you when a system of your vehicle is on or working. When you turn your key to the run position your dash will do a bulb check. This should light all of your car warning lights. Now that you know what car warning lights your vehicle has, you can find their meaning here. Also, your owners manual should contain a list of warning lights and meanings.
Red Car Warning Lights
Engine Oil Pressure Car Warning Lights.
If you see this light on in your dash, find a safe place to pull over and turn your engine off immediately. Your Engine oil pressure may be too low to properly lubricate the engine. You can cause severe engine damage if it continues to run. Check your oil level and top up as necessary. If the oil level is OK have your vehicle towed to your mechanic for repairs.
Engine Temperature Car Warning Lights.
If you see this light on in your dash, find a safe place to pull over and turn your engine off immediately. Your engine temperature may be too high. You can cause severe engine damage if it continues to run. Have your vehicle towed to your mechanic for repairs.
Brake Car Warning Lights.
If you see this light on in your dash, find a safe place to pull over immediately. Check to see if your emergency brake is engaged. If you disengage the emergency brake and the light is still on, there is a problem with your braking system. It is not safe to drive. Have your vehicle towed to your mechanic for repairs.
Charging System Car Warning Lights.
If you see this light on in your dash, find a safe place to pull over as soon as possible. There may be a problem with your vehicles charging system. The charging system provides power, while the engine is running, to charge your battery and run your vehicle electronics. If your vehicle is not charging, once the power in your battery gets to low, your vehicles electrical system will start to shut down and your engine will stall. Have your vehicle towed to your mechanic for repairs.
Airbag System Car Warning Lights.
If you see this light on in your dash there may be a problem with your Airbag / SIR (Supplemental Inflatable Restraint) system. You can keep driving and have your vehicle checked out as soon as possible. If the Airbag warning light is on your SIR system might not function properly in a collision.
Seat Belt Reminder Car Warning Lights.
If you see this light on in your dash it is a reminder to put on your seatbelt. If the light is still on after your seatbelt is buckled, you may have a problem with your seatbelt warning circuit. Have it checked as soon as possible.
Door Ajar or Door Open Car Warning Lights.
If you see this light on in your dash one of your doors is not properly closed. If the light stays on with all of the doors closed your vehicle may have a problem with the door ajar circuit. Have it checked as soon as possible.
Yellow or Orange Car Warning Lights.
Check Engine Car Warning Lights.
If you see this light on in your dash there is a problem with your engine or emission control system and it has set a trouble code. Have it checked as soon as possible. If the check engine car warning light is flashing, it means the engine is misfiring and may be damaging parts of your engine or emission systems. If you keep driving with the light flashing, it can lead to costly repairs. You will usually notice a change in the way your vehicle runs when the check engine light is flashing.
Reduced Engine Power Car Warning Lights.
If you see this light on in your dash there is a problem with your vehicles electronic throttle control. When this happens your engine will run at a reduced power to allow you to get off the road safely. Turn the engine off and restart it. The light may go off and you can drive to your mechanic for service as soon as possible. If the light stays on after several restarts, your vehicle will have to be towed to your mechanic for repairs.
Anti-lock Brake Car Warning Lights.
If you see this light on in your dash there is a problem with your vehicles anti-lock brake system. Your vehicles brakes will still work, but the anti-lock feature is disabled when the light is on. Have your vehicles ABS system repaired as soon as possible. NOTE: The ABS and traction control systems use many of the same sensors and may come on at the same time.
Traction Control Car Warning Lights.
If you see this light on in your dash there is a problem with your vehicles traction control or it has been turned off. If your vehicle has a traction control switch try pressing it to turn it back on. If the light stays on you will have to have your vehicles traction control system repaired as soon as possible. NOTE: The ABS and traction control systems use many of the same sensors and may come on at the same time.
Anti-theft Car Warning Lights.
If you see this light on in your dash there is a problem with your vehicles Anti-theft system. Your car might not start if this light is on. You should have this repaired as soon as possible.
All Wheel Drive Car Warning Lights.
If you see this light on in your dash there is a problem with your vehicles all wheel drive system. The AWD may not operate when this light is on. You should have this repaired as soon as possible.
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