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What dash warning lights mean

What dash warning lights mean

by Alex Steil

You may be driving and notice a dash warning light or warning message pop up on your dash. If you don’t know what to do when they light up and you continue driving, you can cause major damage to your vehicle. Here’s what the warning lights mean.

Check engine light dash light

The check engine light will automatically light

flashing check engine lgiht

Different types of “Check Engine” lights

up for a few seconds every time you start your engine to prove that the bulb works. Once the computer completes its internal checks, the check engine light will shut off. If the light doesn’t turn off or comes on while you’re driving, it means the vehicle’s computer has detected a problem with the engine, transmission, brakes, or internal communications system. If the check engine light is on steady, you can continue to drive the vehicle until you can get it into a shop for a diagnosis and repair.

Flashing check engine light on the dash

A flashing check engine light means that the vehicle’s computers have detected an engine misfire that’s serious enough to damage the costly catalytic converter system on your vehicle. A misfire can be caused by a worn spark plug, a malfunctioning ignition system component, or a mechanical problem in the engine. Continuing to drive with a flashing check engine light will permanently damage the catalytic converter, which can easily cost $1,500 or more to replace. If you have a flashing check engine light, pull over and get your car towed to the repair shop.

Pull over immediately and shut off your engine. If you’re on the highway, turn on your hazard lights and pull over to a safe place on the shoulder. Then call for a tow. Do not drive to the next exit. Driving even a short distance with no oil pressure can permanently damage your engine. Do not continue driving it.

Oil light on dash

The oil light will automatically light up for a few seconds every time you start your engine to prove that the bulb works. Once the engine starts and reaches the proper oil pressure, the oil light will shut off.

Most new drivers think this warning just means you’re oil light onlow on oil. Wrong. The vast majority of cars and trucks aren’t equipped with an oil level sensor. But all are equipped with an oil pressure gauge or oil pressure warning light. If your oil light comes on, it means your oil pressure sensor has detected dangerously low oil pressure. If you continue to drive with low oil pressure you can destroy your engine, which could easily cost $5,000 or more.

If your oil light comes on, pull over immediately, and shut off your engine. If you’re on the highway, turn on your hazard lights and pull over to a safe place on the shoulder. Then call for a tow. Do not drive to the next exit. Driving even a short distance with no oil pressure can permanently damage your engine.

Engine hot light or gauge

Your vehicle’s cooling system keeps your engine

car temperature gauge

If your car overheats, pull over and call a tow truck

at a safe operating temperature. If something fails in the cooling system like a leak or a water pump failure, your engine can reach temperatures high enough to cause major damage.

If your engine hot light comes on, pull over immediately and shut off your engine. If you’re on the highway, turn on your hazard lights and pull over to a safe place on the shoulder. Then call for a tow. Do not drive to the next exit. Driving even a short distance with no oil pressure can permanently damage your engine.

Traction control / stability control dash warning light

The traction control/stability control light will automatically light

up for a few seconds every time you start your engine to prove that the bulb works. Once the computer completes its internal checks, the traction control will shut off.

Late-model vehicles are equipped with a traction control/stability system that cuts engine power to slipping wheels to get you more traction. The light will come on any time the traction control system operates. So you’ll see it flicker when taking off from a stop in slick or snowy conditions or when accelerating on slick pavement.

traction control switch

Traction control switch

However, there are some conditions where you don’t want the traction control system to operate. Traction control can actually prevent you from driving out of a ditch because it senses wheel slip and cuts the power you need to drive out. In those cases, locate the TCS button and temporarily turn off traction control. That will help you accelerate out of a ditch or away from a stop sign in snowy conditions. The traction control will automatically reset to the ON position the next time you start your car.

TPMS dash warning light

The TPMS light will automatically light up for a few seconds every time you start your engine to prove that the bulb works. Once the TPMS system completes its internal checks, the TPMS light will shut off.

A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light vw warning icons low tire pressuremeans the TPMS system has detected severely low tire pressure (at least 20% lower than the recommended pressure) in at least one tire. Driving while a tire is low on pressure can cause the tire to fail. If that failure happens at highway speeds, it can blow apart, causing you to lose control of the vehicle. If the TPMS light comes on while you’re driving, check and refill your tires at the nearest service station.

Airbag (SRS) dash warning light

The airbag/SRS light will automatically light up for a few seconds every time you start your engine to prove that the bulb works. Once the airbag system completes it internal checks, the airbag/SRS light will shut off.

An airbag/SRS (supplemental restraint system) light means the airbag computer vw warning icon airbaghas detected a fault somewhere in the system and has shut down the airbag system. You can continue to drive while this light is on but you won’t have any airbag protection in the event of a crash.

Get the vehicle to a shop for diagnosis and repair as soon as possible to restore this critical safety system.

ABS dash warning light

The ABS light will automatically light up for a few seconds every time you start your engine to prove that the bulb works. Once the ABS computer completes its internal checks, the ABS light will shut off.

The antilock brake warning light comes on any time your abs system activates during a stop. However, if the ABS light turns on and stays on, there’s a problem with the antilock braking system. You can continue to drive, but you will not have the antilock braking feature. Get the vehicle to a shop for diagnosis and repair as soon as possible to restore this important feature.

©, 2020 Rick Muscoplat, Alex Steil

Posted on by Rick Muscoplat



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