Could you please specify what you would like me to name? Providing more details will help me assist you better. warning lights pictured above? A study conducted by Warrantywise involving 2,000 vehicle owners revealed that 46 percent of drivers were unable to recognize at least half of the warning indicators on their dashboard. car’s dashboard . When extrapolated across the entire UK, this amounts to approximately 23 million drivers…
More worrying still, the Warrantywise poll unveiled that three percent of motorists – a somewhat frightening 1.5 million individuals – were unable to recognize any dashboard warnings accurately whatsoever.
Caution signals are present to notify you if your vehicle’s mechanical or electronic components are not functioning correctly. Consequently, comprehending these might help avoid an accident. Numerous issues of this kind can also lead to MOT test failure if illuminated.
Alert signals can be divided into three groups. A red indicator typically signifies a critical issue, whereas an amber or yellow one serves as a warning. Blue or green lights encompass all remaining alerts. In short, regardless of whether just one signal is illuminated or your vehicle's dashboard glows brightly akin to festive decorations, prompt attention to these signs is advisable.
Here is a summary of dashboard warning lights and their meanings. Should you require further information, refer to your vehicle’s manual. Let's tackle the red-light issues first – they should be your priority once you spot them.
Battery
A red warning light in the shape of a square car battery With positive and negative terminals indicating a problem suggests an issue with charging the battery.
This might be an issue with the battery, or possibly the alternator or its belt. Should the battery fail to recharge, starting your vehicle without resorting to jump leads or a push start could become impossible.
Brakes
A brake warning light might come on due to something as straightforward as having the handbrake engaged.
Should the light remain illuminated after releasing the handbrake, lift the bonnet to inspect the brake fluid level. Alternatively, consult with a technician for a more thorough examination.
Low oil pressure
An indicator resembling an oilcan suggests insufficient oil pressure. Driving under these conditions risks significant engine harm.
Turn the engine off, open the bonnet and check the oil level using the dipstick – it may need topping up. Seek assistance if the light stays on.
Seat belt
A light showing a person sitting with a seat belt across their chest warns you that someone in the car is not wearing their seat belt.
If you don’t wear a seat belt and you haven’t got a valid reason, you could be hit with a £100 on-the-spot fine. The driver is also responsible for any children aged 14 or younger not wearing their belts.
Coolant temperature
You should keep an eye on your car’s temperature gauge to identify any issues with its cooling system, but some cars also have a temperature warning light. This looks like a thermometer with wavy lines and indicates when the engine gets too hot.
Like the oil pressure warning light, you should stop and turn off the car to let it cool down – or risk damage to the engine.
Airbag
A light showing a person with a circle in front of them suggests there is a fault with one of the car’s airbags.
Look into it at your earliest convenience – a defective airbag might jeopardize the safety of the driver or passengers during a collision.
Door open
This one is quite straightforward. Depending on the icon displayed, it could indicate that one of these is open: a door, the boot, or the bonnet.
If you notice this indicator while driving, move to the side of the road carefully and ensure the appropriate compartment is shut.
Washer fluid
Now let's shift our focus to orange or yellow lights, which indicate guidance instead of an immediate concern.
A lack of windscreen washer fluid may cause a warning light to illuminate on certain vehicles. Just refill the washer fluid tank to deactivate this indicator.
Traction control
Sometimes, during your drive, you may notice this light briefly flicker. Typically, it becomes visible under damp or slick road conditions. The illumination of the traction or stability control light indicates that the vehicle is either applying brakes to individual wheels or reducing engine power output to avoid wheelspin or slipping.
By driving more carefully and considering the current road and weather conditions, you can avoid triggering the warning light again. Should the indicator remain lit, this could suggest an issue with your vehicle’s traction or stability control systems.
ABS
The ABS indicator typically illuminates during forceful braking. This occurs as the anti-lock braking system activates. When you brake suddenly, causing quick slowing of the vehicle, this mechanism adjusts the brakes to stop the wheels from seizing up. causing a skid .
Similar to how you would handle traction control, if this feature intervenes during your drive, adjust your driving style to be more gradual and less abrupt, so as to avoid triggering the indicator again.
Engine management
The engine management or 'check engine' warning light might indicate anything from a loose fuel filler cap to a significant engine issue.
You'll likely have to connect a diagnostic tool to your vehicle to pinpoint precisely what the problem is here.
Tyre pressure
If your vehicle has a TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) installed, you might notice this warning light turn on if one or more of the tyres have low pressure — potentially as a result of a puncture.
A tyre with insufficient air pressure will degrade faster and result in higher fuel consumption This can result in the steering feeling unresponsive. Additionally, it might render the vehicle unsafe to operate.
If the TPMS warning light blinks for about a minute upon starting your vehicle and remains illuminated thereafter, it indicates an issue with the system. Have it inspected at a service centre without delay.
Catalytic converter
A catalytic converter utilises chemical processes to decompose toxic emissions from your vehicle's exhaust system. This indicator suggests that it is either becoming too hot or isn’t operating properly.
You may keep driving with this light on, but it’s important to get the problem checked out soon. Otherwise, you might incur additional damage to the 'cat', leading to a higher repair cost.
Service warning
The precise look of this warning light might differ, yet its purpose remains to alert you that your vehicle requires servicing.
The service schedule will be outlined in the handbook, and you ought to adhere to it strictly to ensure your vehicle remains secure and maintained properly. its future value Many contemporary vehicles provide an odometer reading indicating how many miles are left before the next service is required.
Lane assist
If your vehicle has lane assistance installed – which helps guide you back into your lane when it detects drifting on the highway – a indicator light will illuminate to signify that the feature is active.
Lane assistance is becoming more prevalent in contemporary vehicles, yet certain motorists opt to deactivate it.
Cruise control
A lot of vehicles nowadays come equipped with cruise control, aiding in keeping a consistent velocity – thereby helping drivers stay within legal speed boundaries. Certain models also incorporate radar technology to sustain a predetermined gap between their vehicle and the one ahead.
A glow indicating the car’s speed via a pointer on the speedometer could illuminate once the cruise control is activated.
Glow plugs
If you drive a diesel-engined car When you initially turn the key, a glow plug indicator may illuminate. This signifies that the glow plugs are heating up; you should refrain from starting the engine until this light has extinguished.
Should the light flash, this indicates an issue with the glow plugs.
Bulb failure
Some cars will display a warning light when they detect a failed bulb in one of the exterior lights. Replace the bulb to extinguish the light and ensure your car is road-legal.
DPF
If you drive a modern diesel car, it might display a DPF light when the diesel particulate filter becomes blocked.
This scenario typically occurs when you undertake numerous brief trips at slow speeds. Let it recover by taking a longer trip on the motorway.
Indicators
Next up are the green and blue lights, beginning with something rather evident.
When you turn your indicators or hazard lights on, left or right arrows will display on the dashboard to show which way you are indicating.
Main beam headlights
If you have activated the main beam for nighttime driving, a blue indicator similar to the one shown above will illuminate on your dashboard.
Ensure you lower your headlights when vehicles are approaching to avoid blinding drivers coming towards you.
Fog lights
A rounded 'D' symbol alongside squiggly lines will signify that your vehicle's front or back section is affected. fog lights are turned on.
These ought to be employed solely when visibility falls under 100 metres, since they might blind other motorists. They cannot replace headlamps.
Stop/start
A curved arrow symbol usually relates to the stop/start system. Depending on the car, it could mean the system is activated, allowing the engine to turn off when the car is stopped to save fuel, or simply that stop/start is turned off.
It may also mean there’s an issue with the stop/start system. Consult your owner’s manual if unsure.
ALSO READ:
Car finance: the differences between PCP, PCH and leasing
How to appeal a parking ticket
Speed limits and speeding fines: a concise guide for UK motorists