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- Dashboard Warning Lights: The 50 Most Common
Dashboard Warning Lights: The 50 Most Common
Warning Lights & Indicators
- 🔴 Red: This represents a critical issue that requires immediate attention. You will need to pull over safely and turn off your engine as soon as possible.
- 🟡 Yellow (Amber): This signifies a non-critical issue that needs to be addressed. While you can continue driving for a short distance to reach a safe location, getting the problem checked is important.
- 🟢 Green or blue: This usually represents non-major activated features or other useful information, like cruise control or low-beam headlights.
Red dashboard lights
Red dashboard lights
Red light spells danger as the song goes. A red warning light should make you take an immediate action. There could be a fualt that could cause damage if you continue to drive. It could also be safetly related, like your door, boot or bonnet is open. Whilst this is easilly rectifiable it could cause a severe incident.
Battery light is on
The red battery light will always show when the ignition is switched on, but the engine is not running. If this light remains illuminated when the car is running it indicates that the Battery is drained, and possibly not being charged. This could be related to an alternator fault, failed drive belt or other components. If you're close to a garage, it's advisable to drive there. If you're on the road without the ability to stop at a garage, stop and park the vehicle safely.
Airbag light is on
This icon will appear on the dashboard if there are any faults with the airbag or SRS system. Be careful: in the event of a accident, a non-functioning airbag can cause serious injury. So make sure that this fault is addressed as soon as possible.
Seat belt light is on
If the driver or passenger is not wearing a seat belt, this symbol will illuminate. It is also possible that a heavier object has been placed on the seat, which can cause this warning light to illuminate.
Handbrake light is on
When the car is started and the handbrake (also called parking brake) is engaged, this light will come on. If the light remains on after disengaging the handbrake, this may indicate a lack of brake fluid or a fault in the brake system. In this case, it is therefore important to visit the garage.
Cooling light is on
This warning light comes on when the engine is about to overheat. If this light comes on, it is important to stop the car, and wait for it to cool down before checking the coolant level. The coolant system is pressurised and if opened when hot could result in scalding. If you continue to drive for too long with this light on, the engine can be seriously damaged!
Trunk Boot light is on
When the ignition is on and the boot is open, this warning light will illuminate.
Bonnet light on
When the ignition is on and the bonnet is open, this warning light will illuminate.
Door open light is on
When the ignition is on and one of the doors is open, this warning light will illuminate.
Lane departure warning system
This warning light comes on when the driver has switched off the lane departure warning system (or lane assist). When this system is switched on, the driver will notice by means of vibrations in the steering wheel if the car leaves the lane markings.
Emergency brake assist
In cars equipped with the brake assist functionality (also called EBA), this light will light up red if you approach the car in front of you too quickly. If this functionality is disabled, the light will light up orange. If the light stays on constantly, there is a good chance that there is a fault in the system.
Engine oil level light is on
When the engine oil level is too high or too low, this warning light will come on. If this light comes on, it is important to check the oil level as soon as possible. Top up the oil if necessary, or drain some oil if the level is too high. If the light stays on, it is advisable to go to the garage.
Handbrake light is on
In cars with an automatic transmission, this light illuminates when the electronic parking brake is still applied.
Power steering light is on
When the power steering of the car fails, this warning light will light up. This will of course be noticeable by a heavier steering car. This fault can be caused by a lack of oil, but electronic causes can also be the cause.
Steering lock light is on
When this light is displayed, the steering wheel is in the steering lock.
Brake fluid light is on
This light may come on if the brake fluid level is low.
Orange dashboard lights
Orange dashboard lights mean that there is a fault that needs to be fixed or that a function has been activated. If the light means a fault, you can still drive it home. After that, it is wise to find a garage or car dealer as soon as possible for repair or overhaul . In some cars, these orange warning lights appear more yellow than orange, but they mean the same thing. can mean two things.
ABS light is on
This light comes on when there are problems with the ABS system. This system prevents the wheels from locking up, so the car can’t skid. When this light comes on, it means the system isn’t working. Make sure you drive to a garage as soon as this light comes on to prevent further damage.
Rear window heating
Once the rear window heater is switched on, this light will come on. Usually, these are a timed circuit and will turn of automatically.
Automatic windshield wiper
In many modern cars there is an automatic windscreen wiper that constantly measures the amount of rain. The speed of the windscreen wipers is determined by the amount of rain. If this warning light on the dashboard lights up, this means that there is a fault in the sensor, which prevents the automatic windscreen wiper from working.
Car key not present
In cars that use the so-called 'keyless entry system', a symbol may light up showing a key with signal symbols. When this light is on, it means that the driver has forgotten to take the key with them. The car cannot detect the key, so it will not start.
Tyre pressure light is on
This dashboard light comes on when the tyre pressure of the car is too low. In many cases the tyre is flat or you have a flat tyre. This warning light is mandatory in cars from 2014.
Blind spot light is on
This light will illuminate when the blind spot functionality is disabled.
Fuel level light is on
When the fuel level of the car is low, this light will come on. You can see from the icon which side the fuel cap of your car is on.
Fuel system light is on
If this light comes on, you need to take action as soon as possible. The fuel filter is contaminated. It needs to be emptied to prevent damage to the engine.
Electrical component light is on
This light with an exclamation mark in a triangle lights up when there is a defect with an electrical component in the car. The car becomes limited usable or may not function at all. If this light comes on, you should drive to a garage immediately if possible.
Slippery Conditions light
When the road and snowflake light comes on, the car warns you that there is a chance of slippery conditions.
Hill descent control light
This warning light comes on when the hill descent control (also called mountain brake) is activated. This function allows the car to drive downhill at a constant and low speed by applying the throttle and brakes.
Headlight height adjustment
If this warning light comes on, there is a fault in the headlamp range control system.
Clutch pedal light
This light will come on when the clutch needs to be depressed, often to start the vehicle.
Low temperature light
The dashboard light with a snowflake warns you of a low outside temperature. In most cars this will come on at a temperature lower than 4 degrees Celsius.
Lamp and rain sensor
In several modern cars there are sensors that measure if it is raining and measure the light intensity, so they determine whether the lights should be on or off. If there is a fault in these sensors, this light will come on.
Lamp defect
The icon with the light and exclamation mark means that a light in the car is defective.
Air filter light is on
If the air filter is dirty, this light will come on. If the air filter is clogged, it can cause serious damage to the engine. So make sure this problem is fixed as soon as possible.
Air suspension light is on
If this light is on, it means that the air suspension is defective.
Rear fog light
This light is on when the fog lights on the rear of the car are on. Be careful when using these lights. They should only be used during snow showers or fog when visibility is less than fifty metres.
Engine management light is on
This light indicates that there is a defect in the engine management system or in the other electronics in the car. The advice is to first look at the engine oil and coolant and possibly top it up. If the light still remains on, it is time to visit a garage.
Emergency light is on
If the car goes into emergency mode, it is important to go to the garage as soon as possible. The car has limited power.
Parking sensor
The parking sensor helps the driver to park in tight spaces. This function can be enabled by the drivers in certain cars. When the function is enabled, this icon is displayed in the dashboard.
Rain sensor
When the rain sensor detects rain, the warning light will come on. The driver can then set how fast the windscreen wipers should move.
Brake pad light is on
If a brake pad in the car is worn, this warning light will come on. To ensure good brake functionality, it is therefore important to replace it as soon as possible.
Brake light
When this light is on, it means that the brake light is defective.
Particulate filter light is on
This light comes on when the diesel particulate filter (or DPF) becomes clogged. This is found in the exhaust system of diesel cars. When this light comes on, the filter needs to be cleaned or replaced.
Windshield washer fluid light is on
This dashboard light comes on when the windshield washer fluid reservoir is empty. You will need to refill the fluid.
Speed ​​limiter light is on
This light will illuminate when you have chosen not to drive faster than a certain speed, for example when cruise control is being used.
Stability Program (ESP)
This light comes on when the stability control is activated by the car. This happens when the car is in danger of skidding.
Start-stop system light
This dashboard light indicates that the start-stop system is active. This means that the car is still 'on', but the engine is not running. If the accelerator or clutch is then pressed, this light will disappear.
Driveline fault
When a light in the shape of a wrench comes on, it means that there are problems with the driveline. This is often noticeable by the power of the car being lower. When this light is on, you should drive calmly to the garage.
Suspension and shock absorbers
This light indicates a fault in the suspension or shock absorbers. The advice is to visit a garage as soon as possible.
Glow plug light
The pre-glow light (also called the spiral light) lights up in diesel engines when the engine is cold. If the outside temperature is above 8 degrees Celsius, the car does not need to be pre-heated. If the light comes on while driving, it will have to be read out.
Windscreen defroster
When the windscreen defroster is turned on, this icon appears on the dashboard. The defroster can help to blow away condensed or misted windows.
Water in fuel
If this light is on, there is too much water in the fuel filter. The car should be checked as soon as possible and the water drained. If the light is still on, it is likely that the fuel filter needs to be replaced.