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Car Warning Lights You Should Pay Attention To

Complete guide to car dashboard warning lights

Car Dashboard Lights

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READ THE DIMENSIONS OF TYRES

READ THE DIMENSIONS OF TYRES
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In order to change tyres, the same tyre size as in the original installation must be used (on a new vehicle). In order to learn the size of a tyre, consult the technical booklet of your vehicle or look at your tyres: the size is engraved on the sides. For example: 205/55 R16 91H

The car dashboard warning lights warn the driver of problems with the vehicle. These warning lights are important and if left unchecked a breakdown or a costly repair could be around the corner.  Most drivers are familiar with the common ones like low oil or low fuel indicators. Here, we’ll go into the ones that look a little unfamiliar at the first glance.

ABS Warning Lights

1) ABS fault

Anti-lock braking system is a safety system on your vehicle that prevents it from skidding in case of sudden braking. When the turns on it means there is a problem with the ABS. In this case, your brakes will work but you won’t get the added safety advantage of preventing the wheels from getting locked in case of emergency braking. So, though you don’t need to immediately pull your vehicle to the roadside, it’s recommended that you get the problem fixed by an auto expert for your safety.

Car Airbag Lights

2) Airbag light

The importance of having functional airbags cannot be stressed enough. The illumination of the is a serious issue. It's a sign that the airbag isn't functioning correctly. If the airbag system does not work properly, there is a risk that the airbag will not open in the event of an emergency. Similar to the ABS, flashing of this light does not need you to immediately stop your vehicle to fix the problem, but certainly needs to be addressed as soon as possible by a professional.

Engine Temperature Warning Lights

3) Engine temperature warning lights

When the engine temperature indicator light turns on, it means that the engine temperature has exceeded the normal limits. So, pull over quickly to let your car cool down. Then check the coolant level, fan operation, coolant leaks etc.

Battery Charging System Indicator

4) Battery charging system indicator

Battery warning light on means that the battery system isn’t working properly or is short of power. Turn off anything that draws power from the battery like the stereo, heater AC, interior lights etc. Don’t turn off your vehicle until you get to a safe location, just incase it doesn’t start again.

Brake System Light

5) Brake system light

This indicator could mean there is a problem with your braking system, or your parking brake is on. The turned on while driving is a good indication of potential risks that could compromise your safety. Hence, pull over to the side of the road and call the nearest service provider for assistance.

Tyre Pressure Warning Light

6) Tyre pressure warning light

If the turns on, it means the pressure in one or more of your tyres is low and needs to be attended to. In this case, having a pressure gauge and a tyre inflator handy in your boot could be your saviour helping you maintain the tyre pressure before you drive to the nearest tyre shop for a tyre pressure checkup.

Car Engine Warning Light

7) Check the engine

An engine management system is made of several ECUs and electrical and electronic parts. Since the whole engine system consists of a number of parts, the does not tell you what specifically is wrong, but it does indicate that something under the bonnet needs your attention. This light either blinks or remains continuously on depending on the issue. A flashing or blinking light means there is a serious problem and you need to stop your vehicle immediately. Nonetheless, any sort of engine warning should not be ignored. If left unchecked, it can cause irreparable damage. Therefore, stop and call for assistance.

Oil Pressure warning Light

8) Oil pressure warning light

The oil that lubricates your engine needs to be under pressure. The indicates that the oil is lost and hence there is a possibility of metal to metal contact causing severe damage to your engine. If this light turns on while driving, slide to the roadside and turn off the engine. The reason could be as simple as a faulty sensor or maybe you could have an oil leakage or a failed oil pump. It’s best to call for professional help to drill down to the root cause of the issue before any expensive damage is done.

Open Door Warning Light

9) Open door warning light

The door open warning light is a safety measure that indicates any open door while you are driving. Though simple and common this is vital for your safety and should be addressed immediately.

10)  Service Required

10) Service required

To help the drivers know that the vehicle needs a general maintenance service, most modern vehicles have the service required indicator on the dashboard. This indicator varies for different car manufacturers. You can check in your owner’s manual to be sure. If this light illuminates you should take your car to the service center for routine maintenance.

High Beam Light Indicator

11) High beam light indicator

Everyone has experienced the inconvenience of having someone's bright high beam lights flash in your eyes as you drive down the road. The high beam lights are meant to be used when you are driving in extremely dark conditions where the roads are darker than you are normally used to.

When the high beam light is engaged its indicator on the dashboard is turned on too. It’s a blue colour indicator which signifies a head lamp. Sometimes a driver might accidently turn on the high beam lights, in such a case it’s important to identify this indicator on the dashboard and turn it off to avoid inconvenience to the other drivers.