A Guide to What Your Dashboard Lights Really Mean

Sep 15, 2016

A Guide to What Your Dashboard Lights Really Mean When you get in your car and turn on the engine, you’ve probably noticed that there are various lights that turn on inside the dashboard, and then turn back off. But when one or more of the lights remain illuminated, what do you do? Take a look at this list of four common dashboard lights to learn what they mean and why it’s important to pay attention to them.

Tire Pressure

If you see a light that looks like a tire — rounded edges sitting atop a notched rectangle — with an exclamation point in the middle of it, this usually means that something is wrong with your tire pressure. There could be a slow leak that has caused the pressure to gradually drop, or you may have experienced a blowout. Either way, the light is warning you to stop driving, as continuing to drive on a flat tire can severely damage the wheel and rim.

Take a look at the tires to assess the situation. If a tire is just a little low on air, go to a service station to fill it up to the recommended level. If it’s completely flat or blown out, you should change to the spare and head to a tire shop to replace the damaged one.

Oil Pressure

The engine is the heart of your vehicle, and the oil is the lifeblood that keeps it running smoothly. The light for the oil pressure usually looks like an oil can. When it turns on, you should never ignore it because it means that oil pressure has changed within the engine. Slowly ease your vehicle to the side of the road, and call for a tow truck. Whatever you do, don’t keep driving when the oil pressure light is on.

Charging System

Your vehicle’s battery provides electrical power to various systems through the alternator. So when your car doesn’t start, the light for the charging system will probably turn on. It usually looks like a battery with a plus and minus sign inside. If the light turns on even though your car is starting just fine, it could mean that the alternator isn’t supplying power to other systems. You can drive the vehicle to a repair shop to get it tested but, if the battery is very low, you may need to call for a tow.

Check Engine

This light turns on when something is affecting the car’s emissions system. Some newer cars have a mechanism that causes this light to illuminate when the gas cap isn’t screwed on properly, so check that first before you head to a shop. If that isn’t the problem, take it in for a diagnostic test to find out what’s wrong. However, if the check engine light is flashing on and off, it may mean that your catalytic converter is overheating. In this case, you should stop driving right away.

These are a few of the most common dashboard lights, but there are others that are just as important to pay attention to. If any of the lights come on, don’t ignore them. Stay safe, check your owner’s manual, and take your vehicle to a shop if necessary.

image from Pixabay licensed under CC BY 2.0