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Dashboard warning lights
Tap the light you're seeing. Red means stop safely. Amber means soon. Green and blue are information.
Red · stop safely
Amber · check it soon
Green or blue · information
General guidance. Your owner's manual wins. If a red warning light is on or the car drives differently, stop safely and get help.
Every light, in words
Oil pressure Stop safely
What it means. The engine isn't getting enough oil pressure. Without oil, an engine can be ruined in minutes.
What to do. Pull over when it's safe and switch the engine off. Check the oil level once it has sat for a few minutes. If the level is fine and the light stays on, don't drive it. Have it towed.
Engine temperature Stop safely
What it means. The engine is overheating, or the coolant is too hot.
What to do. Pull over when it's safe and switch off. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes. Never open a hot radiator cap. Check the coolant level when it's cold. If it keeps happening, have it towed.
Charging system Stop safely
What it means. The battery isn't being charged. The alternator, its belt or the wiring may have failed.
What to do. Switch off what you don't need (heated seats, fan, stereo) and drive straight to somewhere safe or a shop. The car will stop when the battery runs flat, and it may not restart.
Brake system Stop safely
What it means. The parking brake is on, the brake fluid is low, or there's a fault in the brake system.
What to do. Check the parking brake is fully released. If the light stays on, stop safely. Don't drive a car whose brake pedal feels soft or sinks. Have it checked before driving on.
Power steering Stop safely
What it means. The power steering has a fault. The wheel may become very heavy.
What to do. You can still steer, but it takes much more effort. Slow down, pull over safely and restart the car once. If the light stays on, have it checked before driving far.
Airbag Stop safely
What it means. There's a fault in the airbag or seat belt system. An airbag may not work in a crash.
What to do. The car drives normally, but you have less protection. Have it checked soon. Don't try to repair airbag parts yourself.
Seat belt Stop safely
What it means. Someone in the car isn't buckled up.
What to do. Buckle up. If everyone is buckled and the light stays on, something heavy on a seat may be setting it off, or the buckle sensor needs checking.
Door open Stop safely
What it means. A door, the hood or the trunk isn't fully closed.
What to do. Stop when it's safe and close everything firmly, including the hood.
Check engine Check it soon
What it means. The engine computer has found a fault and stored a trouble code. It can be minor, like a loose gas cap, or something that needs fixing soon.
What to do. Steady: tighten the gas cap, then have the code read in the next few days. A parts store or a cheap code reader can do it. Flashing: the engine is misfiring. Ease off and have it seen right away, because it can damage the catalytic converter.
Tire pressure Check it soon
What it means. One or more tires is low on air, or the system has a fault.
What to do. Check all four tires with a gauge when they're cold, and set them to the number on the driver's door placard. Look for a nail or a cut. If the light flashes and then stays on, the system itself has a fault.
ABS Check it soon
What it means. The anti-lock brake system is switched off because of a fault.
What to do. The normal brakes still work, but the wheels can lock in a hard stop. Leave more room, brake earlier, and have it checked soon.
Traction and stability control Check it soon
What it means. Flashing: the system is working because a wheel is slipping. Steady: it's switched off or has a fault.
What to do. If it's flashing, ease off the pedal. The road is slippery. If it's steady, check you haven't pressed the off button. If not, have it checked.
Low coolant Check it soon
What it means. The coolant level is low.
What to do. Let the engine cool fully, then top up with the coolant your manual names. Never open the cap hot. Coolant doesn't get used up, so a low level means a leak. Have it checked.
Low fuel Check it soon
What it means. You're running on the reserve, usually 30 to 50 miles' worth.
What to do. Fill up soon. Running a tank dry can damage the fuel pump, and on a diesel it can mean bleeding the fuel system.
Washer fluid Check it soon
What it means. The washer fluid tank is nearly empty.
What to do. Top it up. Use fluid rated for freezing temperatures in winter. Plain water freezes in the lines.
Bulb out Check it soon
What it means. An outside light isn't working.
What to do. Walk around the car with the lights, brake lights and signals on. Replace the bulb soon. A brake light out is a safety problem and a reason to be pulled over.
Service due Check it soon
What it means. A reminder that scheduled maintenance is due. It counts miles or time since the last reset. It isn't a fault.
What to do. Book the service, or do it yourself, then reset the reminder. The steps are in your owner's manual.
Glow plugs (diesel) Check it soon
What it means. On a cold diesel, the glow plugs are warming up. If it flashes or stays on while driving, there's a fault.
What to do. Wait for the light to go out before starting. If it flashes while you drive, the car may limit its power. Have it checked.
Particulate filter (diesel) Check it soon
What it means. The filter that traps soot is filling up and needs to burn it off.
What to do. Drive at a steady highway speed for 15 to 20 minutes if it's safe and legal to, so the filter can clean itself. If the light stays on, have it checked before it clogs.
Reduced power (EV and hybrid) Check it soon
What it means. The car has limited its power to protect the battery or the drive system. The battery may be very low, very cold or very hot.
What to do. Drive gently to a charger or somewhere safe. If it comes with a red warning, stop. Orange cables are high voltage. Don't touch.
High beams Information
What it means. Your high beams are on.
What to do. Dip them for oncoming traffic and when you're following someone.
Headlights Information
What it means. Your headlights are on.
What to do. Nothing to do. If it's daytime, check they're set to auto.
Fog lights Information
What it means. Your fog lights are on.
What to do. Use them in fog, heavy rain or snow, and switch them off when it clears. They dazzle other drivers in clear weather.
Cruise control Information
What it means. Cruise control is switched on or set.
What to do. Nothing to do. Don't use it on wet, icy or winding roads.
Ready to drive (EV and hybrid) Information
What it means. The car is on and ready to move, even though you can't hear an engine.
What to do. Nothing to do. Remember the car can move silently. Put it in Park before you get out.
Read more in Dashboard warning lights explained. For a check engine light, try the trouble code lookup.
Questions
What do the colors mean?
Red means stop as soon as it's safe. Amber or yellow means have it checked soon. Green and blue only tell you something is switched on.
Is this the same as my car's symbols?
Close, but makers draw them a little differently and some lights are unique to a brand. Your owner's manual has the exact set for your car, and it wins.
The light went out by itself. Am I fine?
Maybe. Some faults come and go. If it was red, or it comes back, have it checked.
Track this automatically in Tagwell Auto
When a light comes on, the first question is what was done last and when. Tagwell Auto keeps every service with its date and mileage.