15 Car warning signs you should not ignore

As a responsible driver, it is imperative to know the different car warning signs that are on your dashboard. Knowing the meaning of these symbols could warn you of your current driving situation and help you decide what necessary action to take.

There are over 150 car warning signs that exist to date. Although your car may not have all of them, we have listed some of the most common symbols to educate our readers about their purpose and what to do when they light up.

The first rule is to never panic if one or multiple lights or indicators turn on. Generally, your car will still be running fine, but there may be some minor issues that you may need to address, either through a mechanical repair or a quick fix. So here goes our selection explaining what these lights on the dashboard actually mean for you. 

Color scheme of warning signs

Different colors mean different things and in most cases require different levels of attention. A green or blue-lit symbol is simply informational and tells you how or what system is operating. A yellow or orange symbol means that there are some parts that need to be repaired soon at a service center. And the most cautionary of all- the red symbol, which tells you that there is a serious safety issue or problem that must be addressed immediately. Below are some of the car warning signs you should not ignore as a driver. Memorize these car warning signs so that you can benefit from it the next time you get into your car.

Green/Blue lights

Turn Signals

Perhaps the most popular symbol in the instrument panel, turn signals tells other road users your intention to change direction.ECO button

 

ECO button

This indicates that the car is in economy operation and is running on improved fuel mileage. Some related symbols include Comfort and Sport, which also pertains to your preset driving preference.

Yellow or orange lights

All-wheel drive on

This symbol tells you that your car is now running on four-wheel drive. When this is illuminated, torque is equally distributed on all wheels. It can also turn amber in color, telling you that the 4WD system may be experiencing some problems.

 

ABS, ESP, BAS light

Malfunctions in your car’s driving security features could pose an imminent danger. In the case of ABS, it usually illuminates briefly when the engine is started, but turns off automatically.

Bulb failure

When this light is on, one or more of your vehicle’s bulbs are either broken or are experiencing some electrical problems. The more serious threat is losing road visibility when driving at night. Consult guidance from a car mechanic at once.

Child safety lock

If you are accompanied by children, remember to always check this light. When this is on, it tells you that the feature is active. Just remember to switch it off when no longer required.

Glow plug warning

Usually found on diesel-powered vehicles, this sign tells the driver that he should not start the vehicle until the light has been extinguished. It is also part of the engine management which detects faults in the car’s powertrain.

Engine oil or oil pressure sensor

Although it is often a yellow symbol, this button indicates that an immediate fix is needed. It has the oil lamp symbol with “MIN” word which means you have to either re-fill the car’s oil or have it checked by a professional.

Red Lights

Low fuel notification

This button will light up when your car has reached a low fuel reserve. Better refuel soon or your vehicle may die should the fuel meter hit empty.

Seat Belt Reminder

One of the most ignored car practices is putting on a seat belt. When this symbol lights up on your instrument panel it means that you are not wearing your seat belt and the button will not switch off until you put it on.

Temperature warning light

This warns the driver that the vehicle’s engine may overheat because of a prolonged drive. It is advisable to stop the vehicle and let the radiator cool.

Hazard warning light

This is usually put on by the driver to warn other vehicles on the road that the car has problems and should as much as possible be avoided. Some drivers, however, abuse this indicator by using it to either park or overtake without valid reason.

Battery warning

This means that your battery’s power is running low and should it die, it could affect your vehicle’s driving performance. Better look for a power source replacement.

Front airbag

When this is on, it means that you or someone has turned off the driver airbag manually. As such, it will not deploy if there is a collision.

Brake system alert

This symbol means that your brake fluid is almost depleted. If you have recently had your brake fluid changed, it may mean that there are leaks or low brake linings that have caused this problem.

Did we miss out on any important indicator light? Let us know what else to include on this list in the comments section.

Updated by Wilbert Tan on July 24, 2020

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