We learn to recognize the warning lights on the dashboard while taking driving lessons, but many drivers quickly forget about them – until… one of them suddenly lights up. What to do then? Should I go to the service center immediately? No, many of them inform us about the current technical condition of the car, and their activation does not necessarily mean a serious failure. So when should you worry and when should you just top up the operating fluids? Check what the different symbols and lights in your car mean.

Types of warning lights in the car

The lights in the car, all located on the dashboard, can be divided intothree groups marked with three different colors. These are:

• green lights – they have an informative function, if they light up, you don’t have to do anything. Sometimes they are blue;
• yellow or orange indicators – have an information and warning function. It’s not yet a failure, but it usually indicates that some action should be taken;
• red lights – when a red light comes on in the car, it means that something is wrong with the car (but it doesn’t have to be a failure!). These are the so-called alarm lights and their appearance should not be ignored.

If you don’t know the meaning of any of the lights in your car, check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for a detailed description of the lights on the dashboard. You should definitely know what the lights mean – this way you will either avoid unnecessary stress or a serious failure.

Green information lights

The green lights in your car let you know which systems or functions are enabled in your vehicle. They turn on when you start the vehicle and indicate that everything is working as it should.

What functions do the green lights indicate?

The green light, depending on the symbol displayed, may mean:

• dipped beam headlights (so-called short beam headlights) – they have the form of an icon symbolizing a headlight with a beam of light directed downwards;
• position lights – two, facing back to back, headlamp symbols with scattered light beams;
• front fog lights – similar to the dipped beam icon, but the light beam is cut by a vertical wavy line;
• rear fog lights – identical to the front ones, but the light beam is directed to the right;
• high beam (so-called long beam) – headlight icon with a horizontal beam of light;
• turn signals – two arrows pointing right and left.

In newer, better-equipped models, you can also find additional indicators that indicate that:

• airbag system,
• hill climbing assistant,
• cruise control

And as long as all the green car lights are on on your dashboard, you can continue driving safely.

Yellow information and warning lights

However, when yellow car lights start to appear on your dashboard, you should remain vigilant. The most important thing, of course, is to know what the light that has just come on means. They usually inform about the improper operation of some assembly or function, or simply that the level of operating fluids needs to be replenished.

The yellow lights in the car have come on – what to do?

The procedure depends, of course, on which indicator light is on. Here is ashort description of the yellow lights:

• fuel reserve – it turns on probably most often of all. Just refuel and it will disappear;
• fuel filler closed incorrectly,
• low oil level – the characteristic oil dispenser is red in some car models
• low tire pressure
• rear window heating switched on,
• air flow to the rear window turned on,
• injection system failure,
• external lights failure,
• yellow light may also mean that the glow plugs have failed,
• gearbox damage,
• ice on the road.

Check engine light – should not be ignored

The orange Check engine light is a light informing that the failure concerns the engine itself. Then the car may go into emergency mode, which means that the car will lose some of its power and you will not be able to drive faster than the speed set by the manufacturer.

The reasons for this light to come on in a car vary, but experts agree on one thing – a lit Check engine light should always prompt the driver to visit the service center as soon as possible. It happens that the engine light turns off or goes out by itself when we disconnect and reconnect the battery, so many drivers decide to give up professional diagnostics. However, this is risky, as failure to do so may result in costly engine failure.

Red warning lights

What do the red lights in the car mean? Their task is to warn the vehicle user about a problem related to the operation of important functions and assemblies. However, when one of them comes on, it does not always mean that it is necessary to stop or call roadside assistance – the light also has a red color to indicate that one of the passengers has not fastened their seat belts or that a door or trunk lid has not been closed. .

Red light – you need to check it!

Red warning lights in a carcan signal the driver the following problems or failures:

• ABS system failure – the ABS indicator light is easy to identify;
• high coolant temperature – the coolant temperature indicator shows a thermometer immersed in the liquid. If it comes on, stop immediately;
• low brake fluid level – a failure of the braking system is indicated by an indicator light symbolizing an exclamation point inside a circle. But be careful – the same icon means that you may have the handbrake on. Before you panic and call for help, check the position of the brake lever – however, the issue is trivial to diagnose, because driving is practically impossible with the handbrake on. A brake system failure is indicated by the same icon, so if the lever position is correct and the light is still on, call for help as it may be too dangerous to continue driving;
• low battery – indicated by the battery icon;
• worn brake pads – an icon showing an empty wheel surrounded by two arcs on the sides;
• engine oil level too low – an icon in the shape of a dipstick with a drop falling from it. Be sure to refill it at the nearest station, as this may result in the engine seizing up;
• power steering system failure – steering wheel symbol and an exclamation mark next to it;
• seat belts not fastened – an icon showing a character wearing a seat belt;
• unclosed door or trunk lid – diagram of a car seen from above with the door open.

A red light on the dashboard may therefore mean that driving is inadvisable for safety reasons (e.g. if you are not wearing a seat belt) or that continuing driving is prohibited or impossible due to the technical condition of the car. Your reaction should depend on which icon turns on.

Also remember that certain failures, e.g. of the braking system, will result in the car not passing the technical inspection. If the red lights in the car turn on, you should react appropriately to the type of message, but immediately.

Summary

Thelights on the dashboard have three functions:

• improve the safety of your journey by reminding you to fasten your seat belts or informing you about icy conditions on the road;
• prevent failure of systems or functions in your car – for example, through a message that the engine oil level is too low;
• signal the existence of a failure – this is a very important function, but sometimes it irritates drivers. Serious breakdowns, however, sometimes start with minor damage – so it is worth reacting immediately, before, for example, a trivial lack of engine oil causes damage to the engine or lack of brake fluid – a crash.

Now you know what the lights on the dashboard mean. In the past, there were only a few indicators installed in vehicles that determined basic functions, now there are many of them. To drive and use your car safely, you need to know their purpose.