Decoding Dashboard Lights: Your Fun & Easy Guide to Car Warning Symbols

 

TL;DR – Our version of “I’m not reading all that, *SparkNotes pls.”

• Dashboard lights are your car’s way of communicating potential issues and warning you of issues that could compromise your safety. Ignoring them can lead to costly repairs or safety risks.

• Car dashboard symbols give real-time feedback on your vehicle’s health, helping you make informed decisions about maintenance and repairs

• Common dashboard lights include an engine temperature warning, an ABS warning, a tyre pressure warning light, a brake warning, and an airbag indicator light.

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What do the lights on the dashboard even mean?🤔 (Clearly none of these people know but guess what, that’s what our blog is for😉🍍)

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Most motorists don’t know what it means when their car’s warning lights come on. 

In fact, drivers often adopt the tried-and-true method of ‘If I ignore the problem, then it doesn’t exist’. And while this method works against the monsters under the bed, cars are a whole other beast.

Dashboard lights are your vehicle’s way of sending you a polite message. Sometimes, the content reads, “Hey, you might wanna check this out,” and other times, the message will be an “SOS! HELP ME!”

In the guide to car dashboard symbols, Pineapple will help decode what those bright little bulbs are trying to tell you about your car’s condition, how severe the issue is and what to do next. 

 

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Why Your Car’s Dashboard Warning Lights Deserve Your Attention

 

Strobe lights, fairy lights, fireworks—like a moth to the flame, humans have long been fascinated by twinkling luminosity. 

So, when those pretty lights on your car’s dashboard start flickering, we understand why you’d want to start raving in your ride. 

But dashboard warning lights serve a fundamental purpose. 

• Your car’s dashboard lights alert you to issues that might compromise your safety.

• Your car’s dashboard lights encourage you to address minor problems before they snowball into major (and expensive) repairs.

• Heeding your dashboard’s warning call can help you avoid the stress of dealing with car troubles later on.

A car’s dashboard symbols are your vehicle’s way of communicating with you. Not knowing what these warning lights mean or ignoring them entirely can have disastrous consequences.

Ignoring your vehicle’s cry for help can result in engine issues and expensive repairs that can throw you off your quest for financial independence and stability.

In short, paying attention to your car’s dashboard warning lights can help you avoid paying thousands of rands to fix an issue that could’ve been easily solved if only you had read the writing on the wall dashboard. 

 

Stop, Wait, Go? Here’s What Your Dashboard’s Warning Lights Mean

 

Are you guilty of ignoring those red, amber and green lights when behind the wheel? You probably drive a VW Polo or a taxi (jokes, okes). 

Much like a robot (traffic light, for any non-South African readers—a Pineapple can dream, right?), red, amber and green are the 3 main colours to watch out for on your dashboard. 

Here is a break down the significance of each:  

🔴Red: Like that one Kevin Hart meme, your car is screaming, “Help me!” Red light notifications on the dash can signify serious problems that need immediate attention, like brake failure, low oil, and engine overheating lamps. 

🟠Amber/Yellow: Like a robot, yellow lights tell you to slow your roll. Issues here aren’t ‘make or break’ just yet, but you should still peek under your boot (not your footwear) to investigate. 

🟢Green: You don’t need to speak car engine fluently; green is universally known to symbolise “All systems clear!” and the same applies to your car’s engine.  

 

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The Top 10 Dashboard Warning Lights You Should Know

1. Check Engine Light (engine light).
   1. Severity: ⚠️ 4/5.
   2. What It Means: Issues with the vehicle’s engine and emissions system. 
   3. Possible Reasons: Something minor like an engine oil cap to something more serious like a faulty catalytic converter
   4. Actions to Take: Tighten the engine oil cap, and if the light persists, visit the mechanic.

2. Oil Pressure Light.
   1. Severity: 🚨 5/5. 
   2. What It Means: Low oil pressure, which could damage the engine.
   3. Possible Reasons: The oil hasn’t been changed in a minute, or there is a major oil leak.
   4. Actions to Take: Top up your oil or call a mechanic if that doesn’t resolve the problem.

3. Engine Temperature Warning Light.
   1. Severity: 🚨 5/5. 
   2. What It Means: A surefire sign that your vehicle’s engine is overheating.
   3. Possible Reasons: The coolant or engine oil levels may be low, or there may be a cooling system failure.
   4. Actions to Take: Safely pull over and check your fluid levels, or get a qualified professional to do it for you.

4. ABS Warning Light. 
   1. Severity: ⚠️ 3/5.
   2. What It Means: The anti-lock braking system is malfunctioning.
   3. Possible Reasons: A malfunctioning ABS pump, low fluid levels, or the system being turned off.
   4. Actions to Take: The car brakes will still work, just without the ABS functionality, so drive carefully and schedule a repair. 

5. Tyre Pressure Warning Light.
   1. Severity: ⚠️ 2/5. 
   2. What It Means: The air in your tyres is low and needs refilling.
   3. Possible Reasons: One of your tyres could have a puncture.
   4. Actions to Take: Inflate the low tyre with the recommended pressure (found in the owner’s manual, inside the driver’s door sill, in the cubby hole, inside the fuel filler cap, or under the bonnet). 

6. Battery Alert Light.
   1. Severity: 🚨 4/5.
   2. What It Means: There’s possibly an issue with your vehicle’s battery or charging system.
   3. Possible Reasons: Your battery might be damaged or worn out, or the charging system is malfunctioning.
   4. Actions to Take: Pull over safely and check the battery terminals for signs of corrosion or loose connections.

7. Traction Control Light. 
   1. Severity: ⚠️ 2/5.
   2. What It Means: The traction control system is working to keep your wheels in contact with the road.
   3. Possible Reasons: Slick roads or the wheel-speed sensors may be covered with dirt and debris.
   4. Actions to Take: Drive slowly on wet roads or simply restart the traction control system by turning off the engine and restarting the car.

8. Low Fuel Light.
   1. Severity: ⚠️ 1/5. 
   2. What It Means: Self-explanatory; this light warns the driver that their fuel level is low.
   3. Possible Reasons: There might be some fuel left in the tank, but not a lot.
   4. Actions to Take: Don’t stress; simply pull into your nearest petrol station and top up with the fuel of your engine’s preference.

9. Brake Warning Light.
   1. Severity: 🚨 5/5.
   2. What It Means: The braking system might have an issue, or the handbrake is engaged.
   3. Possible Reasons: There might be a need for parking brake adjustment, worn brake pads, or hydraulic issues.
   4. Actions to Take: Try pushing the brake pedal several times to ensure contact between brake pads and discs. 

10. Airbag Indicator Light.
    1. Severity: 🚨 5/5.
    2. What It Means: This could signify an issue with the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)/airbags or seatbelts.
    3. Possible Reasons: A problem, fault, or malfunction could prevent the airbag from deploying during an accident.
    4. Actions to Take: Visit a professional mechanic immediately to diagnose and fix the airbag system.

 

Tips for Staying Ahead of Dashboard Drama

 

There’s no need to wait for your dashboard to light up like a Christmas tree before taking action. Recognising your car’s dashboard warnings early can address potential issues before they become major concerns.

• Perform regular maintenance and check-ups. Maintaining your car through regular service allows you to catch any issues before they snowball into an expensive repair bill.

• Keep your vehicle’s owner’s manual nearby. This handy booklet will give you invaluable insight into your car, including the meaning of the different dashboard lights. It typically also provides you with recommended service schedules.

• Tag in a professional mechanic. A trained and qualified mechanic can accurately identify issues, helping you pinpoint a problem and avoid spending time and money on unnecessary fixes. Mechanics are known to provide expert advice and recommendations to address the issue directly. 

Feeling anxious when a warning light switches on is natural. But panic will only hinder your ability to accurately assess what these lights are trying to tell you.

Instead, try to stay calm and consult your car’s user manual to understand a dashboard warning. 

Next, take the appropriate action. For example, call roadside assistance for serious issues that make driving dangerous or schedule a service appointment as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions about Car Dashboard Warning Lights 

1. Do warning lights differ for different cars?

Dashboard warning lights are not universal; they differ based on a car’s make, model and year of manufacture. But, most dashboard warning symbols are standardised and typically mean the same thing. 

2. How many different types of dashboard warning lights are there?

There are well over 100 different types of dashboard lights. However, it’s difficult to outline an exact figure because of vehicle technology evolution and car model variations. The 10 common car dashboard warning lights are the engine light, oil pressure, engine temperature warning, ABS warning light, tyre pressure warning light, battery alert light, traction control, low fuel, brake warning, and airbag indicator lights.

3. What are the most serious car warning lights?

The 10 most serious car warning lights you should never ignore are those specified in this article (engine light, oil pressure, engine temperature warning, ABS warning light, tyre pressure warning light, battery alert light, traction control, low fuel, brake warning, and airbag indicator lights). Failing to pay attention to these symbols can increase the risk of accidents and costly repairs and significantly reduce your vehicle’s lifespan.

 

Conclusion: Trust Pineapple with Your Car

 

The next time your car’s dashboard symbols pop up like an unwanted notification, consider thanking your vehicle for this early warning. Dashboard lights aren’t the nuisance people will have you believe they are; they could be a lifesaver if only you know what they mean.

Of course, this knowledge is only the beginning of how to take care of your car. There’s still insurance to think about.

Pineapple offers comprehensive car coverage, which includes third-party vehicle damage worth R5 million. Policies also include 24-hour emergency roadside assistance, which means ‘round-the-clock towing, no-fuel, and dead battery assistance. 

 

Get A Free Quote For Affordable, Comprehensive Car Protection Now!

 

Please Note: The information provided above is for informational purposes only; you should not construe any such information as legal or financial advice.

Pineapple (FSP 48650) is underwritten by Old Mutual Alternative Risk Transfer Insure Limited, a licensed Non-Life Insurer and authorised FSP. T&Cs apply.