Find out how to change your car's battery. In any event, if you notice this light, stop the car immediately, as running hot for too long can lead to total engine failure. Instead, they use compression and temperature to induce combustion in the mixture. Their purpose is to inform you that the systems they relate to are working correctly. Amber, orange or other colour lights often mean something needs checking by a garage.

If you are unsure, it’s best to refer to your owner’s manual or contact your dealer. 26th Jul 2019. Instead, they tell you that one of the openings – be it a door, boot or bonnet – is open. They are an everyday sight that could mean the difference between a smooth journey and a costly repair bill. The cause of the warning light may be as simple as a faulty battery that’ll need replacing. If you’re using more fuel that you’d expect, it could mean you have a fuel leak (check the ground under your car; especially your driveway or parking space), or your car’s on-board computer (ECU) is telling the engine to use more fuel than it needs. Error - disconnection of the plug from the trailer, 28.

But many of us have no idea what the lights and symbols on our car dashboards actually mean and when to take action. While you can’t take the risk either way, if the pedal feels spongy when you press it, or sinks all the way to the floor, then it’s easy to tell a significant issue has occurred and the car should not definitely not be driven any further. This may be due to a number of issues, all of which could leave you stranded in a cloud of steam. While blue and green warning lights are less urgent, we advise you to take the same precautions as you would for the more serious warnings to prevent damage to your car: it’s best to pull over somewhere safe and consult your car’s handbook for further advice before continuing with your journey. You may not notice anything wrong at first, but issues with glow plugs can induce early and/or late combustion (known as ‘knocking’) that’ll make your engine sound a bit rough and not run as smoothly or efficiently as it should.

This is a particular problem at night, because a faulty battery can lead to headlights failing, but without the battery or charging system providing electricity, you may find power steering, brake servos or the engine itself stop working.

Remember, not all symbols are universal. Oil pressure is generated by the oil pump keeping the engine oil circulating and by the quantity of oil in the engine. Read our top 5 engine management light causes and prevent your car from costly repairs.

This is fairly self-explanatory, but we’ll go through it anyway. There are a number of different symbols your dashboard might display, and you should always pay careful attention to make sure your vehicle is safe and in good condition.

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When something goes wrong with your car or if a feature you should know about gets activated, a curious-looking marker illuminates on the dashboard. You may simply have to top up the oil to make the light go out, but if it remains on, there could be a much more serious issue that requires a garage to investigate. So, you can both prevent malfunctions that may occur in your vehicle and protect your safety. It’s normal to see some of these lights briefly while you start your engine. Stop the engine immediately and consult the handbook. It's a good idea to have the problem checked too (unless it’s an obvious problem - a light alerting you to low screen wash, for example, which should go out when you top up the reservoir), especially if it's an oil warning light or brake system warning light, as they relate to major components of the car. While 58 per cent have no idea what their tyre thread limit should be, when it becomes illegal, or how to check it.

Red = Danger, important reminder Mechanical problem or electrical error, 45. A leak, a faulty pump or too little (or even too much) oil can cause damage to the engine running to thousands of pounds.

Dashboard warning lights are displayed by colour in red, amber, green and blue on a spectrum of seriousness. Have you ever had a light on your dashboard pop-up and wondered what it was?

Electronic Stability Programme is off, DRIVEN.co.nz is the new home of Automotive, with thousands of listings, latest automotive news, ownership tools, car comparisons and reviews to help make your vehicle decisions easier.… You’ll find it all - and more - under DRIVEN.co.nz, Watch: Porsche driver collects cyclist while performing illegal overtaking manoeuvre, Five great family cars you can buy used for less than $40k, Lamborghini driver to face court after being caught at 170km/h in 80 zone, Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 Cla 200 1.6P/7At/Sp. If your car is consistently overheating, you need to get it looked at by a garage. For example did you know that different colour lights mean different things? However, it could also be a more serious issue with the braking system. wo thirds of those polled have no idea how to check the oil, just under half don't know how to change a tyre and 44 per cent wouldn't have a clue how to change the windscreen wipers. For example did you know that different colour lights mean different things?

4340383 - VAT No. The majority of warning lights are common to all makes and models of cars, although their precise locations, on or around the dashboard, may vary. Here are 63 dashboard symbols and their meanings to help you make safe driving choices.

They are an everyday sight that could mean the difference between a smooth journey and a costly repair bill.

This warning light can indicate a number of things, all relating to the car’s battery and charging system. If it’s on constantly, it usually means it’s deactivated – either by a fault or by you switching the system off. Like the seatbelt light, these lights don’t usually mean that there’s anything physically wrong with the car (unless the sensor that sends the signal to the light is itself faulty).

They flag up issues with the engine or can even save a driver's life in the most serious of cases - but how many do you know? After you turn the key in your car’s ignition or press the starter button, dashboard lights in different colours will appear momentarily on the display behind your steering wheel. Which Warning Lights Are Active On Your Dashboard? Drive Motor Retail limited is an appointed representative of Automotive Compliance Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No 497010). Warning for exceeding the lane without signaling (anti sleep system, lane assist), 30. But what those symbols mean … It gives a visual indication that you’re close to the limit of grip. If it’s the former, you’ll need to get the system checked, if it’s the latter, you should switch the system back on.

So don't ignore the light. If it has an obvious puncture, you’ll need to change the wheel or use a puncture repair kit.

This brake system warning light also requires urgent attention.

Drive Vauxhall have put together a helpful document, highlighting what each light means. If it detects a drop, it’ll provide a warning.

You’ll most commonly see your car’s traction-control warning light when the wheels lose grip, usually in the rain or snow.

Warning for seat belt (belt is not on), 43.

8. Problems with headlight / taillights / signals bulbs, 25. It may be that the brake fluid level is too low and simply needs topping up, or that a brake pad wear sensor is faulty. And when people do understand what the car is warning them about, very few know how to manage the problem themselves.

If this doesn’t solve the problem, or the warning light appears as you're driving along, pull over safely and call for roadside assistance or arrange for the car to be taken to a garage.

796 9969 19. All about the coolant in your engine, Engine management light: top 5 causes of amber engine warning light, Find out how to change your car's battery. Essentially, it constantly monitors the amount of air in the tyres. Drive Vauxhall have put together a helpful document, highlighting what each light means. Dirty air filter requires replacement, 53. For more detailed information visit, Vauxhall Warning & Indicator Light Symbols.

It could be the car’s radiator is leaky, clogged or broken – you’ll likely see coolant dripping out if this is the case.

It could also be due to a faulty water pump. These warnings may be accompanied by a noise, too. This is because it warns of a potential problem with the engine, which you’ll want to avoid damaging at all costs.

A garage will be able to check this for you. All rights reservedCarbuyer™ is a registered trade mark, What is antifreeze? Parts called ‘glow plugs’ are used to turn up the heat and the above symbol indicates that something’s wrong with the plugs themselves or the systems and computers that control them.

This is important, because low tyre pressures can adversely affect braking and cornering and a sudden drop in pressure can cause a dangerous blow-out at high speed. Fuel tank on reserve, need to fill the tank, 60. Registered in England No. Calculations are based on an interest rate of 10% per annum over a 3 year term with no deposit. 2020 scrappage schemes: the complete guide, Copyright © Dennis Publishing Limited 2020. For more detailed information visit Warning & Indicator Symbols. Tyre-pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are an increasingly common sight; indeed for the last few years, it’s been mandatory for carmakers to fit the system. Running out of petrol won’t cause any mechanical damage, but stopping on the road due to running dry is an offence.