Dashboard / Instrument Cluster Lights
Many problems with vehicles are caused by lack of maintenance. Checking your fluids, air filter, belts and tires regularly is a great way to find and prevent problems before they become "big". But even a well looked after vehicle is susceptible to problems. The following is a description of some of the more common kinds of dashboard warning lights and what they may mean. If a warning light "lights up" on your instrument cluster, it is always prudent to check the owners’ manual to see its meaning and importance. Better safe than sorry should be the first rule when a warning light comes on.
Check Engine Light
The "check engine light" or "malfunction indicator lamp" (MIL) is a red light or an icon of an engine that will light up on your dash board. Although it may only indicate a minor problem, it could also be a warning of something much more serious such as: problems with the fuel system, engine emission system, engine or engine performance, drive train, or electrical problems. Depending on the make and model of the vehicle you drive, the engine light may light steady or blink indicating to get the problem checked immediately. On some vehicles the icon will light only when the problem occurs while on some it will remain lit until a technician can reset it. Although the light can sometimes be reset by disconnecting the battery, this is not recommended as you will likely lose the diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) which will assist the technician in determining the cause and seriousness of the problem. You should always check your vehicle’s owners’ manual if the meaning of the warning light is not clear to you.
Some problems that may trigger the engine warning light to come on include:
- failed or failing system sensors
- poor engine performance which may be caused by faulty spark plugs, wiring, or clogged fuel injectors, among others
- emissions problems such as a loose or cracked vacuum hose, loose or missing gas cap, or a failed EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve
- electrical wiring that has a short or open circuit
The "check engine light" will not give you any specifics of what the problem is. You therefore need to take your vehicle to your mechanic, who will have the equipment needed to read the diagnostic codes. The codes narrow down the problem to a specific system and even down to the part that is causing the problem.
There are many other warning lights that could be on your dash board. Newer vehicles give you more information from the "check engine light" to "your tires need air". Below is a list of some of the different warning lights and what they are trying to tell you. Check your owners’ manual to see what warning lights your vehicle offers and the meaning of each.
Oil Pressure Warning Light
The "oil pressure warning light" tells you your engine is not getting enough oil pressure. This is important because your engine will not run very long if it is not getting the oil it needs to lubricate and cool it. If this light comes on, you should stop immediately. The problem may simply be that you are short of oil and need a "top up", but it could also be a worn oil pump, a faulty oil pressure sending unit and if you don't look after your vehicle, the oil could be just too thick and dirty to flow properly. If your oil level seems to be going down and you don't see any oil puddles under your vehicle, it usually means the engine is burning excessive amounts of oil. The cause could be a leaking gasket that could be relatively easy to replace, to something more serious leading to an expensive overhaul or even engine replacement.
Temperature Warning Light
The "engine temperature light" is another important warning indicator light where you should stop driving and turn off your engine immediately. Like the "oil pressure warning light" it may only be caused by a loss of radiator fluid which is easy to top up. If there are no visible leaks under the car however, the problem is most likely internal and can only be diagnosed by pressure testing the engine cooling system.
Battery System Warning Light
The "generator or alternator warning light" may show an icon of a battery or may light up as a red or orange "GEN" or "ALT". It does not require you to stop immediately, but your time will be limited since you will be running off of battery alone. You can maximize your time by minimizing any accessories that may be on and even turning off your lights if it is safe to do so. The problem could be as simple as a loose or corroded battery cable, a broken or slipping drive belt or it could be a failed part like the alternator or generator.
Brake System Warning Light
If your "brake warning light" is on and your emergency parking brake is not engaged, you should not drive the vehicle. The problem could be a simple switch adjustment on the parking brake or could be a sign of something bigger. Squeaking or unresponsive breaking will most likely mean your the break fluid reservoir is low. If a top up won't get the light to extinguish, there could be a leak in the brake hose, disc brake caliper or drum brake wheel cylinder. The vehicle should not be driven until the problem is inspected and fixed.
Your vehicle may also have an "anitilock braking system warning light" (ABS) that lets you know there is a problem with the antilock brake system. Typically, you will not notice a difference under normal driving conditions, but in emergency braking the system may not work. You should have your mechanic check it out as soon as possible.
Reminder Lights
Newer vehicles try to make taking care of your car easier by including "service reminder lights". This system will calculate your engine oil life by taking into consideration driving conditions and environmental conditions, it can tell you if your air filter needs to be changed, if your tires need air, and even if your windshield washer fluid is low. These reminder lights are helpful but you should not rely on them and instead have the vehicle serviced at the recommended intervals of miles traveled or time since last service, whichever comes first.
There are many more warning lights that have not been discussed here, such as a door or trunk being ajar, fasten seat belts, airbag warning, head lights on, fog lights on . . . and many more. It all depends on the year, make, and model of the vehicle you are driving and what options are available. If you come across a light that you don't recognize, it is always prudent to check your owners’ manual. Better safe than sorry!
