Dashboard warning lights help communicate information about vehicle systems, operating conditions, and possible faults.
The exact symbol, color, meaning, and recommended action vary by manufacturer, model, year, and market. Always check the vehicle owner’s manual before relying on a general online description.
Understanding Warning-Light Colors
Red Lights
Red lights often indicate an urgent condition, a safety system, or a problem requiring immediate attention.
Depending on the symbol and vehicle, you may need to stop safely and switch off the engine.
Yellow or Amber Lights
Yellow or amber lights generally indicate a fault, reduced system performance, or a condition that should be checked soon.
Some amber lights allow continued cautious driving, while others require prompt inspection.
Green, Blue, or White Lights
These colors often indicate that a system is active, such as headlights, cruise control, or driver-assistance features.
They do not always indicate a fault.
Flashing Versus Steady Lights
A flashing light may indicate a more urgent condition than a steady light.
For example, a flashing engine warning light may indicate severe combustion misfire capable of damaging the catalytic converter.
Reduce load, stop safely when appropriate, and seek qualified assistance.
Oil Pressure Warning Light
This symbol often resembles an oil can.
It may indicate low engine-oil pressure rather than simply a low oil level.
Low oil pressure can cause serious engine damage.
General action: Stop safely, switch off the engine, and consult the owner’s manual. Do not continue driving when oil pressure is suspected to be inadequate.
Engine Temperature Warning Light
This symbol may resemble a thermometer in liquid.
It can indicate that the engine or cooling system is overheating.
General action: Move to a safe location, stop the engine, and allow it to cool. Do not open a hot pressurized cooling-system cap.
Steam, coolant leaks, repeated overheating, or rapidly rising temperature require professional assistance.
Brake Warning Light
This light may indicate:
- The parking brake is applied
- Low brake-fluid level
- A hydraulic brake-system fault
- Another brake-related condition
General action: Confirm whether the parking brake is fully released. If the light remains on or braking feels abnormal, stop driving and seek qualified assistance.
ABS Warning Light
The ABS light indicates a possible fault in the anti-lock braking system.
Basic braking may remain available, but anti-lock assistance may be reduced or unavailable.
General action: Drive cautiously and arrange inspection. If the ABS light appears with a red brake warning light or braking feels abnormal, stop and seek assistance.
Check Engine Light
The engine-shaped warning light may indicate faults involving the engine, emissions system, ignition, fuel system, sensors, or other monitored components.
A steady light may indicate a condition that requires diagnosis but is not always immediately dangerous.
A flashing light may indicate a severe misfire or another urgent condition.
General action: Reduce heavy acceleration and arrange diagnosis. Stop driving when the light flashes, the engine runs severely rough, power falls sharply, or smoke and strong odors appear.
Battery or Charging-System Light
This symbol often resembles a battery.
It usually indicates a charging-system problem rather than simply an old battery.
Possible causes may involve the alternator, wiring, drive belt, battery, or related components.
General action: Reduce unnecessary electrical use and seek inspection. The vehicle may stop running when stored electrical energy is depleted.
Tire Pressure Monitoring Light
The TPMS light often resembles a tire cross-section with an exclamation mark.
It may indicate low tire pressure or a monitoring-system fault.
General action: Reduce speed, stop safely, and inspect the tires. Check pressure when the tires are cold and use the manufacturer-specified pressure.
Do not continue driving on a rapidly deflating or visibly damaged tire.
Airbag or Supplemental Restraint Light
This light may indicate a fault in the airbag, seat-belt pretensioner, occupancy sensor, or supplemental restraint system.
The system may not operate correctly during a collision.
General action: Arrange professional inspection promptly.
Power-Steering Warning Light
This light may indicate a fault in hydraulic or electric power steering.
Steering assistance may be reduced or lost, making the wheel much harder to turn.
General action: Slow down, avoid sudden maneuvers, and stop safely when steering control is affected.
Transmission Warning Light
Some vehicles display a transmission symbol, gear symbol, temperature symbol, or warning message.
It may indicate overheating, a control-system fault, low fluid, or another transmission condition.
General action: Reduce load and consult the owner’s manual. Stop driving when the vehicle shifts violently, loses drive, overheats, leaks fluid, or displays an urgent message.
Coolant-Level Warning
This light may indicate a low coolant level or a coolant-level sensor issue.
General action: Stop safely and allow the engine to cool before checking anything. Never open a hot pressurized cooling system.
Low Fuel Light
This light indicates that the remaining fuel level is low.
General action: Refuel promptly. Repeatedly operating with very low fuel may increase the risk of running out and may affect some fuel-system components.
Traction-Control and Stability-Control Lights
A flashing traction or stability light often indicates that the system is actively helping control wheel slip.
A steady light may indicate that the system is turned off or has a fault.
General action: Reduce speed when the light flashes. If it remains on, check whether the system was manually disabled and consult the owner’s manual.
Diesel Particulate Filter Light
Some diesel vehicles display a warning when the particulate filter requires regeneration or when the system has a fault.
General action: Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions. Ignoring repeated warnings may cause reduced performance or expensive damage.
Glow Plug Light
Diesel vehicles may display a coil-shaped glow-plug indicator.
It may illuminate normally before starting. Flashing or persistent illumination may indicate a fault.
General action: Consult the owner’s manual and arrange diagnosis when the light behaves abnormally.
Electronic Throttle Control Light
This light may indicate a problem with electronic throttle-control components.
Engine power may be reduced.
General action: Avoid heavy acceleration and seek inspection. Stop when throttle response becomes unpredictable or the vehicle enters severe reduced-power mode.
Lane, Collision, and Driver-Assistance Warnings
Modern vehicles may display lights for:
- Lane departure
- Forward-collision warning
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic emergency braking
- Parking sensors and cameras
A warning may indicate a detected hazard, temporarily blocked sensor, deactivated feature, or system fault.
General action: Remain fully responsible for vehicle control. Clean obstructed sensors when safe and consult the owner’s manual.
Hybrid and Electric-Vehicle Warning Lights
Hybrid and electric vehicles may display warnings for:
- High-voltage system faults
- Battery temperature
- Reduced propulsion power
- Charging-system faults
- Isolation or electrical-system problems
General action: Follow the message displayed by the vehicle. Do not touch or attempt to repair high-voltage components.
What to Do When a Light Appears
- Stay calm and maintain control of the vehicle.
- Notice the light’s color and whether it is flashing.
- Check for changes in braking, steering, temperature, noise, smell, or performance.
- Move to a safe location when the condition may be serious.
- Consult the vehicle owner’s manual.
- Seek qualified diagnosis when the cause is unclear.
Do Not Erase Codes Without Understanding the Cause
Clearing a warning light or diagnostic code does not repair the underlying problem.
Erasing information too early may also make diagnosis more difficult.
Diagnostic trouble codes identify a monitored condition or circuit. They do not always identify the exact failed component.
When to Stop Immediately
Stop driving as soon as it is safe when:
- The oil-pressure warning remains on
- The engine is severely overheating
- Braking or steering control is reduced
- Smoke, flames, or a strong fuel smell appears
- A tire is rapidly losing pressure
- The engine warning light flashes with severe rough running
- A high-voltage or serious safety warning instructs you to stop
Additional Information
Review the Vehicle Safety Guide and Car Maintenance Checklist for related guidance.
To report an incorrect or unclear warning-light description, visit our Contact Us page.