{"id":22062,"date":"2022-12-22T12:59:50","date_gmt":"2022-12-22T12:59:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/?p=22062"},"modified":"2026-01-16T16:20:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T16:20:49","slug":"understanding-your-cars-dashboard-6-serious-warning-icons-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/understanding-your-cars-dashboard-6-serious-warning-icons-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Your Car\u2019s Dashboard: 6 Serious Warning Icons To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

First: the basics: colors! Red and\/or flashing light means you should act right away if they\u2019re mechanical like an overheated engine. Orange and yellow warning lights are there to let you know your car needs to be serviced or repaired soon. Green and blue lights just signify that the system is operating. Nothing to do there! Please note that various automakers may have different colors for icons. The details above are a generalization.<\/p>\n

Last year, Utires surveyed 1,200 vehicle owners to find out what car problems are most ignored. The number one issue that\u2019s delayed? A cracked windshield with 42.4% of respondents admitting to putting off repairing it. Next up was wheels alignment, followed by overdue oil change, worn-out tires, and check engine light on. Without further ado, let\u2019s dive in to understanding your dashboard.<\/p>\n

When your lane departure light goes on, immediately correct your steering for safety while driving<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Oil pressure warning<\/strong>
\nEveryone know this one! You\u2019ve seen it time and time again, since most cars these days require you to change oil every 3,000 miles. At least that the rule of thumb. But newer cars, thanks to technology and synthetic oil, can stretch oil changes to anywhere from 5,000 to 10,00 miles. For instance, according to Edmunds Jaguar vehicles can travel 15,000 miles before needing an oil change. Hyundai and Kia vehicles with turbo engines go up to 5,000 miles. GM? 13,000 miles!<\/p>\n

The oil pressure marker on your dashboard can also indicate that the car\u2019s oil pump isn\u2019t circulating enough fluid to properly lubricate the surfaces in the engine.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Engine temperature warning light<\/strong>
\nThis dashboard marker means your engine is overheating. Typically, this has to do with the coolant, aka anti-freeze, circulating through the car\u2019s engine. But there are other possibilities. You can have a leak or just old coolant. The thermostat can be stuck, or the radiator can be clogged with debris. A defective water pump. And the list goes on. If this happens while you\u2019re driving, call road assistance as it\u2019s unsafe to drive until you know what the real problem is.<\/p>\n

Your car\u2019s transmission temperature light warning could mean a few things: low transmission fluid, worn transmission parts or heavy towing<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Battery Alert Light<\/strong>
\nIf this Lego-looking icon pops up on your dashboard, something is wrong with the car\u2019s charging system. Think battery-related or electrical issues. It could be a loose or corroded (battery) cable, a bad alternator, or an issue with the voltage regulator. If you\u2019re on the road when the battery light alert comes on, turn off as many electrical controls you can like the radio, AC\/heater, and so on. By reducing the electricity the car is consuming, you\u2019ll be able to drive further before the battery is completely discharged.
\nSEE ALSO: DOES YOUR VEHICLE SQUEAL, HISS OR RATTLE? CAR SOUNDS MEAN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Airbag indicator light
\n<\/strong>This dashboard icon means something\u2019s up with your airbags; the car\u2019s airbags are deactivated and won\u2019t deploy if you get into a crash. This can also happen if you had a car accident and the airbags were deployed, but you didn\u2019t replace them and sensors weren\u2019t reset. Make sure to get this checked asap!<\/p>\n

Brake pad warning<\/strong>
\nYour vehicle\u2019s brake pads material rests on top of steel plates. The material wears down slowly each time you use your brakes. Once the pads get too thin, you need to inspect them and maybe even replace them. Luckily, the brake pad light will appear on your dashboard before they\u2019re completely worn out, giving you enough time to get to the repair shop.<\/p>\n

The check engine light is also known as the malfunction indicator lamp or MIL<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Check engine light<\/strong>
\nThis dashboard warning sign appears for a wide variety of reasons. From an open or cracked gas cap that results in the car\u2019s fuel evaporating to low oil pressure, overheating, and even some wiring issues. If the check engine light flashes, it could be a misfire that overheats the catalytic converter and can pose a fire hazard. Head to your mechanic to ensure it\u2019s nothing serious!<\/p>\n

Remember, driving safety is priority number one on the road!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

First: the basics: colors! Red and\/or flashing light means you should act right away if they\u2019re mechanical like an overheated engine. 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