Dashboard Warning Lights You Should Know
There is a handful of dashboard warning lights to be aware of, and it’s important to know what each one means and if it needs immediate attention or not. Below are some of the most common warning lights that drivers see, their possible causes, and urgency of care. If a light appears that you don’t recognize, check your owner’s manual to judge the seriousness of the problem.
Engine Temperature Warning – this light indicates that your engine is overheating; it can be the result of a low coolant level. If this light appears while you are driving, you should promptly pull over and turn your car off to let it cool. Make sure you don’t try to open your radiator before your car has a chance to cool down for your own safety. If you receive this alert frequently, you likely need repair.
Tire Pressure – when this light appears it means that there is a drop in air pressure in one of your tires. This is important to take care of quickly because low tire pressures can affect braking and cause a blow-out. If your tire is continuously losing air, you may have a puncture in the tire that needs to be patched or changed entirely.
Check Engine – if your check engine light is on, make time to get your vehicle checked out by a mechanic. There are number of engine problems that can spark this warning – some far more concerning than others. Although your vehicle may seem like it’s running normally, a proper diagnosis is critical to prevent potential damage.
Brake System – if this light is still on after the parking brake has been fully disengaged, there could be a more serious issue. Loss of hydraulic pressure or a fluid leak can be reasons this light appears; both of those issues indicate an immediate need for service.
Battery Alert – this indicator appears when there is an issue with your vehicle’s electrical system. The cause can be something minor like a loose wire or something more serious like your battery not properly holding a charge. If this light does come on while you’re driving, it’s best to keep your ignition running; if you turn your car off, it may not restart.
Oil Pressure – this is one of the most important lights, and when it appears it should never be ignored. If it’s on due to a leak or a faulty pump, then that can cause serious damage to the engine. You may want to try checking your oil or topping it off to get the light to turn off, but if it remains, there could be a much more serious issue and it should be attended to immediately.
Air Bag Indicator – this light should be professionally assessed as soon as possible. A faulty airbag can deploy into you unexpectedly or it may not deploy like it supposed to in the case of an accident, leaving you and your passengers unprotected from impact injuries.
Traction Control Malfunction – this light will come on in snowy or slippery driving conditions when the wheels are spinning. However, if the light stays on, it can indicate a problem with the triggering system and you should have a mechanic inspect it immediately.
If a dashboard light comes on and does not go away, it’s always a wise choice to have your vehicle checked out. Our experts at Eccles Auto Service in Dundas Ontario will let you know if there is a problem that needs immediate attention or not, and provide you with the necessary auto repairs.