A vehicle’s dashboard lights are like encrypted messages sent by a car in a language that is able to convey the condition and running of the vehicle in question.
These small visual indicators play a vital role in a driver’s experience of driving, informing them of potential problems, safety conditions, and how the vehicle is running.
Read this article to find out what the various dashboard lights mean and the measures you should take to prevent damage to your vehicle and ensure a smooth drive.
What are Dashboard Lights?
Car dashboard lights are visual indicators that provide drivers with essential information about the way their vehicle is running.
When a light comes on on the dashboard, it could be signalling a problem with the vehicle or be providing information, such informing a driver that their high-beam headlights are on.
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What do Dashboard Lights Mean?
Each light conveys a specific message. For example, the engine light indicates a problem in the engine, the oil light alerts you to low oil pressure or insufficient oil, and the battery light signals problems in the electrical system, among many others.
These lights are essential to ensuring the safety and performance of any vehicle, and some require immediate action when they come on to prevent damage or accidents.
Dashboard Lights: What do the Colours Mean?
The colours of a vehicle’s dashboard lights tend to have standardised meanings:
- Red: indicates a critical problem or alert, such as the engine overheating or low oil pressure;
- Yellow: represents less serious warnings, such as to check your engine or low tyre pressure;
- Green: usually indicates that a system is activated or working, such as a vehicle’s high-beam headlights;
- Blue: indicates that a system, such as fog headlights, are on.
Understanding the colours of the lights helps drivers better interpret dashboard messages and take appropriate action.
A Red Light has come on the Dashboard: What now?
As it indicates a critical problem that requires a driver’s immediate attention, it is important that you slow down, park your vehicle in a safe place and turn off the engine.
Next, check your owner’s manual or call a mechanic to assess and fix the problem, as driving with a red dashboard light on may cause serious damage to your vehicle or pose a safety hazard.
A Yellow Light has come on the Dashboard: What now?
A yellow light on your car’s dashboard indicates a problem or warning that requires your attention, but it is not an imminent emergency.
When a yellow light comes on it is important to pay attention to it and schedule car maintenance in a garage or dealership as soon as possible to diagnose and solve the problem before it gets worse.
Which Symbols are on a Vehicle’s Dashboard?
The symbols on a vehicle’s dashboard may vary depending on the car manufacturer and model. However, some common symbols can be found in most cars, such as the engine and battery symbols.
Which are the Main Dashboard Lights to look out for?
Generally speaking, you should pay close attention to the following vehicle dashboard symbols:
- Dashboard oil warning lights: indicates low oil pressure, which can harm the engine;
- Dashboard battery lights: means there is a problem in the battery charging system;
- Fuel lights: Indicates low fuel level;
- Airbag lights: signals a problem with the airbag system;
- Dashboard ABS lights: indicates problems with the ABS system;
- High-beam headlights lights: signals that a vehicle’s high-beam headlights are on;
- Seat belt lights: reminds occupants to wear their safety belts;
- Engine temperature lights: indicates that the engine may be overheating.
These are just a few common examples, and some vehicles may have additional model-specific lights.
What does it Mean when the Engine Light comes on?
When the check engine light comes on on your car dashboard, it indicates that the electronic control unit has detected a problem in your vehicle.
The anomalies detected can range from minor issues, such as a poorly tightened fuel cap, to more serious problems, such as engine or emissions system failures.
As such, when an engine light comes on on your dashboard it is important not to ignore it, as unresolved problems can lead to more serious damage or reduced fuel efficiency.
How do you turn off a Dashboard Light?
The check engine light on your vehicle dashboard should not be simply turned off without first diagnosing and solving the underlying cause of the problem.
When there is an engine light on the dashboard, it means that there may be a problem with your vehicle that could affect its performance, fuel efficiency, or polluting gas emissions. As such, you’ll need to fix the problem so that these dashboard lights turn off.
What causes the Check Engine Light to come on on the Dashboard?
Check engine warning lights may come on on a vehicle dashboard as a result of one of the following problems:
- Failure in the gas emissions system;
- Engine malfunction;
- Sensor failure in other systems, such as the ignition system;
- Problems in the fuel injection system;
- Problems in the exhaust system.
What should you do when all your Dashboard Lights come on?
All your dashboard lights coming on signals a serious electrical fault or problem in the vehicle’s control system.
If this happens, safely slow down, park, turn off your engine and check your vehicle’s battery cables, fuses, and electrical connections.
If the problem persists, call a mechanic or towing service to diagnose and fix the problem.
When should you take your car to a Garage because of a Dashboard Light?
You should take your car to a garage as soon as any light that signals a problem comes on on your dashboard, such as the check engine light.
In addition, any light that flashes intermittently or remains on indicates serious problems and requires immediate attention.
Do not ignore these warnings, as they may affect your vehicle’s safety and ability to run.
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