Warning Lights In Your Car: What Do They Mean?

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So you’re driving and suddenly a car warning light pops up! You think ignoring it will go away but that’s far from the truth. Behind the wheel of your car, it’s important to understand the lights that show up on the dashboard.

The lights that pop out of nowhere are usually warning lights. They mean that there’s an issue with your car that needs to be fixed soon. The red and yellow colors of the lights clearly show you how serious the car problem is.

On the other hand, green or blue lights are a good sign and show you that your car system is working fine as of now. These lights help us identify the issues within these complex modern machines we use and shouldn’t be taken for granted ever.

In the event you do take them for granted, your car engine will stop working on its own after some time. The additional damages you’ll have to deal with - caused by shunning the warning light out of your sight - will only lead to extensive repairs that burn a hole in your pocket.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of what warning lights on your car dashboard mean. Along with answers to some of your commonly asked questions. So read along!

What do car warning lights mean?

Car warning lights are indicators that turn on when there’s something wrong with your car. They show up when you start driving or after your car has reached its optimal temperature.

It’s important to actively look at solutions to fix the issue the warning lights indicate - or it can lower your car’s performance & might stall your car in the long term.

If you’re not able to read these car warning light symbols on your own - a simple scan tool can help you identify the problem or you can seek the help of an expert to understand the ongoing issues with your car.

Who wants to waste money on car repairs? Not you! Here’s a list of the 5 most dangerous warning lights that you need to act on immediately.

5 Most Common Car Warning Lights To Avoid

Oil Pressure Warning Light

This comes on when the oil pressure in your car is lower than required. This is seriously damaging to the health of your engine. Using your car while this light is on - can damage your engine in the long term and stop it from working.

Switch your engine off and avoid driving when you see this light. After that, check the oil levels and restore them to the required amount for your car. If your car still doesn’t work, it’s time to call for repairs.

Engine Warning Light

This light turns on when the temperature or fuel of your engine has issues. Other problems may include damages and gas issues that need major fixing soon. Don’t let these issues prolong as they can have a dire impact on car health.

Turn the ignition of your car off and make sure the gas cap is tightly in place. It’s important to keep all the fuel systems sealed properly to avoid any leakage or air mixing with fuel problems.

Car Battery Warning Light

The battery warning light turns on when there is an issue with the charging system of your car or parts of your car battery may be damaged. This is because the alternator is not providing energy as it should and needs to be checked for any issues.

Check if the battery is drained or damaged in some way or the other. Get a battery replacement soon if you notice any visible leaks or damage such as cracks on your car battery.

Ignoring this can burn a hole in your pocket with all the repairs you’ll need to fix your car.

Brake Warning Light

When there’s something wrong with the brake system of your car, this light turns on. The brake warning light is extremely dangerous to ignore - and you shouldn’t drive until this issue is fixed or you’ll fall victim to failed brakes.

The amount of hydraulic fluid or brake fluid needs to be checked - if it's low this light turns on. Other problems include a dirty fluid/dirty reservoir. If you’re low on brake fluid, you can open the reservoir and add the fluid yourself.

If you’re experiencing these issues, it's important to check the amount of hydraulic or brake fluid in your car. It’s probably lower than the required amount and that causes the warning light to turn on.

Other issues that make this warning light come on are dirty fluid/ reservoir. If you’re low on brake fluid, you can easily top up the reservoir fuel yourself.

Headlight Warning Light

This light pops up when there’s an issue with the control system of your headlights. This causes your headlights to function on a very low beam or even turn off completely because of bulb failure.

It’s important to check whether the issue lies within the bulb of the headlights or the AFS. This will help you understand whether they need to be repaired or replaced for good.

Conclusion

The different car warning lights in your car are indicators that show you there’s something wrong with your car system. The common warning lights include the check engine light, oil pressure and temperature lights, car battery lights, brake and headlights, and tire pressure lights among others.

Ignoring warning lights only makes issues worse for your car and makes the engine suffer. If you’re dealing with engine issues and can’t get the check engine light to turn off - check these used engines and transmission systems for your car because it might be time your engine needs to be replaced.

Pick the best engine or transmission system for your car from the largest inventory in the U.S. - 100% ASE Certified & Warranty Approved Systems. Save your money by using mechanically tested engines.

Frequently Asked Questions.

1. What are warning lights in a car for?

2. What are the most common car dashboard warning lights?

3. What do light symbols in a car mean?

4. What does a yellow warning light mean?

5. What are the most serious warning lights in a car?