Warning Lights and What They Mean

You are driving to your office when unexpectedly one of your warning lights on your car illuminates. Do you panic, or do you keep a cool head? With the winter months approaching, you should make sure you understand the meanings of those lights. The lights are not panic buttons and they should not cause you alarm. If you take the time to learn some details about the meanings and keep your car in good condition, you will discover that you will be able to handle any situation and you will know when it is time to take the car in for a repair, or if you can do the repair yourself.

Warning Lights to Worry About

While all warning lights alert you to potential trouble, you should take some lights very seriously. One symbol is the brake light. The brake warning light would tell you that you have a serious problem with the braking system. This light will also turn on if you have the emergency brake engaged. When you see this light, make sure that you do not have the emergency brake engaged. Another light is the engine coolant temperature light. This light would tell you that the engine temperature is too high if the light were red. This would indicate a possible absence of coolants or a hole in the radiator or hose. If the light is blue, it could mean that the coolant temperature is too low. A red oil pressure light would indicate low oil pressure and you have a low oil level and may possibly have a leak. If the light is yellow, it means that your oil level is getting low and you should replenish the level soon. If the battery light comes on, that means that you need to stop the car right away and call a tow truck. This would indicate a battery-charging problem and the possible culprit could be the alternator.

Other Warning Lights That Only Require a Little Concern

Other warning lights would include the low brake pad, transmission temperature, powertrain trouble, check engine, and low coolant. Some cars have lights to alert you to change the oil and air filters, service reminders, and power steering trouble. Although these lights alert you to problems that are not as serious, they should be addressed as soon as possible. Hybrid and electric cars have special lights that correspond to the powertrain, engine, and systems that they use. For instance, a hybrid car may include warning lights for low battery, high-voltage-battery charge level, battery trouble, and power limitation indicators. 

Warning Lights that are More Like Notifications

Some warning lights are in place to keep you informed about the status of your car while you are driving. Some lights that are no cause for concern would be lights to alert you that your high beams are on, headlights or taillights are out, or your daytime running lights are one. Other notifications could let you know that a door is ajar, or that your gas or windshield washer fluid is low. If you take time to decipher the code that your warning lights reveal, you can provide added protection and be better prepared for the winter season.