What are all those icons showing on my car’s dashboard all about?
So, you jump into your car and turn the key (or press the button), only to be met with a host of little dashboard icons neatly illuminated for a short time. Most of them go away after a brief period, except for perhaps the seatbelt light if you or a passenger have yet to buckle up.
But what about the others and heaven forbid, what is one or more stay illuminated…
Today’s cars have some sophisticated electronics and they in turn rely on a series of sensors connected to warning lights and symbols on the dashboard. Typically, the lights are either red or orange. Red means a potentially serious issue with your vehicle, whereas orange means the engine management system.
Red generally means a more serious issue needing attention, an overheating issue, low oil pressure, or a problem with the braking system. These warnings should be looked into by a professional, like Autospark, straight away.
Orange generally means the computer that runs your engine has detected a fault. You may continue on with your journey, but you should have it diagnosed as soon as possible.
These days, diagnosis is handled by a professional with a specialised interface that can detect, provide more information and further diagnose issues by interfacing with your car’s management system.
The Most Common Dashboard Warning Indicators
- High Beam
- Cruise Control
- Fog Lights
- Turn Signals (Indicators)
- Tyre Pressure
- Brake Lights
- Lane Departure
- Seat Belt
- Parking Brake
- Fuel Light
- Battery Issue
- Service Reminder
- Airbag
- Temperature Warning
- ABS
- Door Open
- Oil Pressure
There are others depending on your vehicle type, but typically the main ones are the ones to treat as soon as you can. There are Engine Scanners available these days which will interface with your car and give some broader information on any warnings and even reset those warnings. Doing something like that only treats the warning and not the issue itself, so doing something like that is really at your own peril.
What To Do?
The best advice is basically that, the best advice. At Autospark, we are well versed with warning lights and can access your vehicles system to best inform you about the issue and how best to deal with it. There are occasions when a simple reset and check can solve the issue, but there may be a more dire undertone to an issue that will either need further investigation or a repair or replacement.
The last thing you really want to do is ignore the warning.
Either way, you can always rely on the professionals at Autospark for the latest equipment and diagnostic techniques to sort it out and get you on your way and keep you and your vehicle safe.
If you have a warning light issue, talk to us.
