Understanding Honda Dashboard Warning Lights Meaning
What the Honda warning lights mean
Honda warning light icons are divided into two categories: critical or general information. Critical warning light icons are red or amber and require immediate attention. Critical warning lights are further classified as either a malfunction a condition indicator.
Honda malfunction warning lights
These Honda warning lights indicate a malfunction in the system and should be taken seriously! Stop and read the owner’s manual for further instructions or have the vehicle towed to a service center.
Low Oil Pressure Indicator icon
Stop and check your oil level. If there’s no oil on the dipstick, call a friend to deliver the proper oil. Do NOT drive the car to obtain oil if the low oil pressure light is on. Running the engine with low oil pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. If you add oil to bring it to the proper level and the low oil pressure light is still on after starting, turn off the engine can call a tow truck. Do NOT continue to drive the vehicle.
Charging System Indicator icon
This light indicates a problem with the charging system that must be repaired on an expedited basis. Continuing to drive with the charging system indicator light on can result in a stranded vehicle and a damaged battery. The light comes on when the battery is not being charged. If you must continue driving to get off a main road or highway, turn off all electrical accessories such as heating or air conditioning, rear defogger, phone charger, and heated seats and mirrors so you can conserve power. If you need to stop temporarily, don’t turn off the engine, because restarting it may rapidly discharge the battery.
Malfunction Indicator
Also called a check engine light, this warning light icon means there’s a problem with the engine emissions control system. Failure to address the problem in a timely manner can cause additional and very expensive damage to other components.
If the light is on solid but you don’t notice any engine irregularities, you can continue driving until you get it into the shops. However, if the light is flashing, avoid high speeds (above 30 miles per hour or so) and get your vehicle inspected at a shop ASAP! A flashing check engine light means the engine has a serious misfire problem that can damage the catalytic converter. Do not continue driving if the light is flashing.
Brake System Indicator icon
This light can indicate the parking brake is on, brake fluid is low or a problem with the electric parking brake. If this light is flashing, it indicates a problem with the electric parking brake system. Avoid using the parking brake until you can get your vehicle inspected.
If this light is on check the brake fluid level in the brake master cylinder reservoir.
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS icon
The tire pressure monitoring system has detected a tire that has low air pressure or the tire pressure monitoring system has malfunctioned. Check tire pressure and refill according to the chart on the inside of the driver’s door area. The tire pressure light will flash to remind you that you’re driving on the spare tire.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) icon
There is a problem with one of the airbag systems or seat belt tensioners. Get the system checked out.
Smart Entry system icon
The smart entry system has detected a system fault. Have it diagnosed by a dealer or independent shop.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) warning icon
The ABS system has detected a fault and has shut down the anti-lock braking feature. You can still use your brakes normally, but will not have anti-lock braking. Get the system checked out and repaired by a shop.
Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™)
A fault has been detected with the CMBS and it has shut down. You can continue to drive but you will not have the protection of the CMBS system. Have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
A fault has been detected with the LDW system. You can continue to drive but you will not have the protection of the LDW system. Have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible.
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
A fault has been detected with the LKAS system. You can continue to drive but you will not have the protection of the LKASsystem. Have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible.
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®)
A fault has been detected with the VSA system or hill start assist system. You can continue to drive but you will not have the protection of the stability assist or hill start system. Have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
A fault has been detected with the adaptive cruise control system. You can continue to drive but you will not have adaptive cruise control Have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible.
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
A fault has been detected with the electric power steering system. Steering may or may not continue to work properly or may require increased effort. Stop in a safe place, and restart the vehicle. If the warning light reappears, have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible.
Starter system
A fault has been detected with the starter system. Have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible.
All Wheel Drive (AWD)
A fault has been detected with the AWD system. If the indicator blinks, the system is overheated and inactive. Stop in a safe place, and idle until the indicator goes off.
Honda condition light icons
These warning icons alert you to feature sof your vehicle that need attention.
Parking brake
The parking brake is on and must be released efore driving. The system will alert you with a beep if you drive with it not fully released.
Seat belt reminder
Make sure seat belts are fastened for you and all passengers. The indicator blinks and beeps sound continuously if you or your front passenger has not fastened your seat belts when you begin driving. If the indicator remains on after seat belts are fastened, see your dealer.
Door/tailgate open
A door or the tailgate is open. Check each door/tailgate and close properly.
Low fuel
Refuel as soon as possible. A flashing icon indicates there’s a problem with the fuel gauge. See your dealer.
Low tire pressure
Stop in a safe place, check tire pressures, and inflate tire(s) if necessary. If the indicator remains on after tire inflation, you need to calibrate the system. The indicator also appears if your vehicle is fitted with the compact spare tire. Have your regular tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®)
A flashing VSA icon indicates that the VSA is active and has taken corrective measures.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
A flashing icon indicates that you have or are about to depart your lane. Take immediate and appropriate action to keep the vehicle within the lane.
Maintenance Minder™
The maintenance computer has determined that the vehicle is due for scheduled maintenance.
Immobilizer
The immobilizer system has determined your key or remote transmitter cannot be recognized by the vehicle. A flashing icon indicates you may not be able to start the engine. Turn the vehicle off, and then on again. If it continues to flash, there may be a problem with the system. See your dealer.
Honda ON/OFF indicator light icons
VSA system is OFF
Cruise MAIN is ON
Cruise CONTROL is ON
Turn Signals/Hazards are ON
Fog lights are ON
High Beam Headlights are ON
Exterior Lights are ON
ECON mode is ON
LKAS is OFF
CMBS is OFF
©, 2017 Rick Muscoplat
Posted on by Rick Muscoplat