Do you know what some of the dashboard warning lights displayed in your vehicle mean? This article explains the meanings of these below.
Brake warning light
This is a common sign, as this indicates that the parking brake is on (handbrake) when releasing your parking brake this should disappear. It can also mean that your brake fluid level is low if it appears whilst driving. If the light is present along with the ABS warning light, this means that the braking system has malfunctioned, and brakes may not work correctly.
ABS warning light
This is a safety feature that will activate if you need to stop urgently or are driving in icy conditions. If the ABS light appears, your braking should still be normal, it is safe to continue your journey. If this appears with the parking brake warning light it may indicate an issue with the braking system, as explained above.
Oil warning light
This informs the driver that the engine oil is low, or the oil pressure is low. It can indicate if the oil temperature is too high. If the oil inside the engine is not moistening the engine it could lead to damage. When this light appears, you should stop as soon as possible and turn off the engine.
Tyre pressure warning light
This means that your tyre pressure is low, this can be caused by a puncture. You can still drive with this light appearing, but only to top this up when air at the closest opportunity. Reduce speed and harsh braking or steering to reduce the risk of tyre damage.
Battery warning light
This indicates that your car’s battery is not charging. This can be caused by a fault in the car’s electrical system. For example, a faulty battery, a faulty alternator, bad connection, or damage to cables. The car will still drive as normal until the battery is completely dead. When it has died, nothing in the car will work, until charged.
Brake pad warning light
This indicates that brake pads are worn and are too thin. This warning light will appear before pads are dangerously worn, so you will have time to change them. It can be extremely dangerous if these do not get changed.
