Car warning lights indicate that there is some issue either with the car’s engine, tyres, battery, or any other part. These warning lights are displayed on the instrument cluster of your car. Some modern cars also show these warning lights on the infotainment system these days. You must know what each warning light means to avoid any major issue in your car. In this blog, we will take you through all the car warning lights that need to be understood while learning how to drive a car.
Car Warning Lights: Their Purpose and Meaning
Here are some of the major car warning lights along with their purpose and meaning:
- Seatbelt Warning
A symbol of a person sitting with the seatbelt on reflects on your car’s dashboard when you forget to wear a seatbelt. In most modern cars, this warning light is also accompanied by a warning sound or tune. This sound and warning light might also be activated when the rear passenger or co-passenger forgets to wear the seatbelt.
Though this warning light doesn’t indicate an issue with the car itself, it is included for ensuring the safety of the driver and co-passengers. So, you must always fasten your seatbelts before starting the car.
- Airbag Warning Light
Sometimes, the airbag warning light might pop-up on your car’s screen or digital instrument cluster. This indicates that there is some issue in the airbag or its deployment. Therefore, you must get this issue rectified immediately by visiting the authorised service centre or car dealer.
- Parking Brake Light
If you drive a car with the handbrake or parking brake on, the car will show a parking brake light on the dashboard. It is a warning light that indicates that you must disengage the parking brake immediately. If you drive with the parking brake on, your brake pads and warp rotors will get destroyed.
- Battery Warning Light
If there is any issue in the battery or if the battery is low, the digital instrument cluster of your car will show the battery warning light. If the battery is low, you can start the engine of your car to charge it immediately. However, if the battery warning light stays on even after this, you must contact the car dealer as it could be because of a technical problem in the battery.
When it comes to EVs, the yellow battery warning light indicates that the battery charge is low and needs to be recharged soon. Don’t keep driving the car when this warning light appears constantly on your car’s dashboard as the car can halt suddenly if the battery gets completely exhausted.
- Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
If the engine oil level is low in your car, the engine oil pressure warning light will appear on the dashboard. In this case, you must inspect the engine oil level on priority and refill it if the oil level is below the recommended level.
- EPS Warning Light
The EPS warning light gets activated when there is some issue in the Electronic Power Steering of your car. You should not ignore this light as the EPS assists your steering and ensures that your turns are smooth and convenient.
The EPS adjusts the steering response according to your car’s speed and therefore, it is an important safety feature as well. So, you must contact your car dealer immediately and get the issue rectified when this warning light appears on your car’s dashboard.
- ABS Warning Light
If there is any issue in the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) of your car, the ABS warning light will appear in your car’s digital instrument cluster. The normal brakes function even after this light appears but the ABS system will be compromised.
This might happen due to issues in the ABS fuse, low brake fluid level, or any other fault in the ABS. As ABS protects the wheels during hard breaking, you must get this issue rectified immediately by visiting your nearest service centre.
- Engine Temperature Warning Light
A thermometer bulb-like warning light appears on your car’s dashboard sometimes. This is the engine temperature warning light that tells us that the engine temperature has exceeded the normal limit.
In this case, there might be an issue in the radiator cap, coolant level, or fan. So, you must get these things resolved and check if the warning light appears again in your car or not. If the warning light still persists, you can contact the car dealer or authorised service centre to get it rectified.
- Tyre Pressure Warning Light
Different tyre sizes have different requirements of air pressure level. If the tyre pressure warning light appears in your car, it means that the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) has detected a low air pressure in the tyre. So, you must get the nitrogen filled in your tyres immediately when such a warning light appears.
- Steering Wheel Lock Alert
The steering wheel remains in the locked position when you haven’t turned on the ignition of your car. So, the steering wheel lock alert will be displayed in your car till you turn on the ignition. However, if it stays on even after that, there might be some issue in the sensors that detect it. In this case, you might have to get your car inspected at the nearest service centre.
- Low Fuel Warning Light
The low fuel warning light appears when the fuel in your car is on the verge of exhaustion. If this warning light appears, you must get the fuel refilled immediately from the nearest petrol pump.
- ESC Indicator Light
Modern cars are equipped with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) that ensures that your car doesn’t skid on curvy and slippery roads. It is normal for the ESC indicator light to flash once in a while, especially while driving on slippery roads. However, if this warning light stays on, you must show it immediately at the nearest service station.
The ESC Indicator Light Off indicator light appears when you turn off the ESC while driving. It indicates that you must turn on the ESC to prevent skidding of your car in slippery road conditions.
- LED Headlamp Warning Light
The LED Headlamp Warning Light shows in the form of an electrical bulb like symbol when there is some issue in the LED headlamp of your car. If this warning light remains on or flashes too many times, you must get your headlamps inspected at a nearest service station.
- Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light indicates that your car’s fog lamps are not functioning properly. Fog lamps are required only while driving in heavy rain or fog. Therefore, you need not panic if this warning light appears during normal driving conditions. However, if you drive regularly in low-light conditions, it is better to get this issue rectified from your car dealer.
- Transmission Temperature Light
If the transmission temperature light appears on your car’s dashboard it reflects the overheating of the transmission system. This light usually appears when you are driving the car for too long or if the load in the car is beyond its normal capacity. The transmission also gets heated up when you are driving your car on an inclined slope.
Overheating of the transmission fluid is also one of the reasons for this warning light. When this warning light appears, you must stop driving immediately and allow the transmission to cool. This type of warning light is mostly seen in the automatic cars and ignoring it can lead to permanent damage to the transmission system.
- Glow Indicator Light
Diesel cars have the glow indicator light that typically shows when you start the engine. It looks like a coiled wire and is normal for it to appear before you start your car.
The glow plug heats up the fuel to start the car properly during a cold start. However, if it stays on even after starting the engine or shows up abruptly while driving, it should be taken seriously. It indicates that there might be an issue in the glow plug or the wiring may be damaged. So, showing this issue to a reliable mechanic or service station is recommended.
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- SCR Warning Light
The SCR warning light is also specific to the diesel engine. It indicates that there is an issue in the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) or ADblue. Low fluid levels, a chocked-up injector, or a poor fluid quality may be some of the reasons for the appearance of the SCR warning light. Ignoring this warning light for too long might create issues in starting the car. So, you must show the issue to the service centre immediately and get it rectified.
- EBD Warning Light
In both petrol and diesel cars, the Electronic Brakeforce Distribution system is integrated to distribute the brakeforce evenly in the front and rear tyres of your car. It is an important feature from the safety point-of-view as it stops the car immediately during emergencies. So, if this warning light appears frequently or stays on while driving the car, you must get it checked properly at an authorised service centre.
- Auto Hold Indicator Light
Auto hold is an important feature that keeps the vehicle in stationary position even after removing your feet from the brake pedal once a car has been stopped. If the Auto Hold Indicator Light is white or green, it is considered as normal. However, if it shows up in yellow colour, get it inspected at an authorised service centre.
- Door Open Warning Light
Sometimes, the door of your car doesn’t shut properly and can cause accidents when you drive the car. To avoid this, the car’s computer reflects the car door open warning light on the digital instrument cluster.
If such a warning light appears in your car, ask the co-passengers to close the door properly. However, if the driver’s cabin door is open, park your car in a safe place and shut the door properly. If the warning appears even after closing the doors tightly, there must be an issue in the door seals or panels. Get it verified from the nearest service station in this case.
- Diesel Particulate Filter Warning Light
Diesel cars have Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) that collects the soot particles released as the fuel burns. The collected particles burn on their own when you drive at speeds above 60 km.
However, if the Diesel Particulate Filter warning light appears in the car, it means that there is some issue in this component. If ignored, it can damage the DPF and engine of your car permanently. So, getting the DPF cleaned or replaced from the authorised service centre is recommended.
- Hazard Warning Light
In modern cars, the hazard warning light shows up automatically during sudden events like accidents or collisions. However, a manual button is also present in the car that helps the driver or co-passenger to turn on the light physically during such events. It prompts the other car drivers to drive their vehicles carefully to avoid any collisions or accidents.
- Engine Failure Hazard
In some cars, the engine failure symbol appears on the dashboard of the car if there is any major fault in the car’s engine. It appears in the form of a red light and stop symbol. If such a symbol or light appears in your car while driving, stop the car immediately in a safe place and contact the roadside assistance services.
Also Read: Top 13 Must-Have Accessories For Your Car
Summary
These were some of the most important car warning lights that you can come across while driving or learning to drive. Remember them and if possible, keep a chart of symbols along with you while driving a car. Ensure that you take the right steps to avoid any major damage to your car after seeing a warning light or signal.
Also, different car brands keep updating these warning lights and add new warning lights to increase the safety of their cars and car owners. Therefore, you must also look into the brand-specific car warning lights usually updated on the official site of these car brands.
FAQs
Q. How do car warning lights work?
Whenever you start a car, all the systems start checking everything. If some or any of the lights don’t turn off after this inspection, it means that there is a fault in your car that must be rectified immediately.
Q. Can I drive with a warning light on?
Yellow, orange, or amber colour lights indicate that you need not stop your car immediately. Yet, you need to fix the issue on priority to prevent any major issue. Whenever a red car warning light appears, it means that you must stop your car immediately and get the required help.
Q. Which are the emergency car warning lights?
Low engine oil pressure, check engine light, and tyre pressure warning lights are among the most crucial or emergency car warning lights.
Q. Can you put LED lights on your car?Factory-fitted LED lights are legal. But retrofitting aftermarket LED or HID bulbs into halogen housings is illegal in India, as the glare violates CMVR rules and can attract a fine.
