Understanding Car Warning Lights

There are up to 64 different lights

that can pop up on your dashboard, and it’s unlikely you’re going to instantly recognise all of them. But having a general understanding of what different dashboard lights mean – and how urgent the problem is (if it’s a problem at all) – can save you a fortune in car repairs, as well as keep you safe on the road.

Red for stop

Your dashboard symbols should come on when you’re starting the car, then go off soon after. If any lights don’t come on at all when you’re starting the car, this may indicate a fault – so talk to your mechanic about it. If a light comes on and stays on, or if it suddenly comes on while you’re driving, you may need to take action. The colour of a dashboard light can tell you a lot about whether you’ve got a problem and how urgent it is.

Lights come in three categories: red; orange or yellow; and blue, green or white. A red warning light requires immediate attention as it indicates a serious problem or a safety issue. Red warning lights include low oil pressure, brake issues, battery problems and an overheating engine – all of which are potentially damaging or even dangerous.

If you see a red warning light, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. Have a look in your car manual to check what the light indicates and what action you should take. If in doubt, call a mechanic – followed by roadside assistance, if your mechanic recommends a tow.

Orange for important

Orange (or yellow) warning lights generally indicate that your car’s computer has identified a fault. The issue is probably not as urgent as a red-light fault, so you don’t necessarily need to pull over straight away to attend to it. But the next time you do stop, have a look in your car’s manual to see what the fault means, and if it’s not something you can resolve yourself, book your car into a mechanic to get it checked and fixed. Orange lights include warnings about issues with the car’s anti-lock braking system (ABS), washer fluid levels and low fuel levels.

The engine warning light

One orange (or yellow) light guaranteed to get the pulse racing is the check-engine light

. This is a light that can indicate numerous issues – from a loose petrol cap to faulty spark plugs causing the engine to misfire. If the check-engine light is blinking, it’s generally an indication that something serious is going on.

Any time you see a check-engine light, take note of how the car is driving. If anything feels wrong (or if the check-engine light is blinking), it’s best to pull over and call a mechanic. You may also need roadside assistance to give you a tow. If the car is driving OK, and the light is steady rather than blinking, you might be able to carry on your journey, But don’t ignore the light; visit a mechanic to get the problem diagnosed as soon as you can.

Blue and green

If the light on your dashboard is blue, green or white, fear not – these are information lights, rather than warnings. They’re just telling you that some part of your car’s system, such as its high-beam headlights, is in use. Hopefully those are the only dashboard lights you see on your next trip.

Disclaimer

Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.