Modern vehicles are more reliable and safer than ever, and each comes equipped with an array of warning lights to alert the driver to potential mechanical or safety issues. The specific design of those lights will depend on your car’s year, make, and model, but most cars have a similar range of potential warnings.
To familiarize yourself with these warnings, turn your car on without starting the engine. If your car has a traditional key, you can do this by turning the key in the ignition one click, stopping before the engine turns over. If you have a push-button-start vehicle, you can turn the car on without the engine by pressing the ignition button without your foot on the brake. Either way you do it, all of your vehicle’s dashboard lights will be illuminated in this pre-ignition setting. Follow along as we explain what each lighted symbol means.
1. Seat Belts
Newer cars can detect whether the front seatbelts are fastened and will warn you if either the driver or the front passenger (assuming there is sufficient weight in the front passenger seat) has forgotten to buckle up. This light will stay on until those seatbelts are fastened, and in some cars, it will be accompanied by an audible chime. Without exception, you should always wear your seatbelt when riding or driving in a car, even in the backseat, and this prominent warning light is a perfect reminder. Keep in mind, if you have loaded a heavy object into the front passenger seat, the warning light may come on. If possible, strap that heavy cargo in, too.
2. Low Fuel
This warning light will vary depending on your make and model, and the accuracy and meaning of the light will vary as well. The closer your fuel tank gets to empty, the less accurate the fuel gauge often becomes. So, when the fuel light comes on, it’s a good idea to get fuel at the next possible opportunity. Many newer cars will display the distance you can drive before you run out of fuel. But be warned: This figure is a calculation based on previous driving conditions, and it may not be precise.
3. Door Ajar
The door ajar light is a prominent dashboard warning. After all, driving around in a car with the doors open or only partially latched is very dangerous. Some cars will even indicate which door is still open. If you see this light while driving, it’s best to pull over safely and make sure your doors are fully closed and latched. If the light stays on even after you have checked all the doors, trunk, and hood, consider making an appointment with your mechanic. Occasionally, particularly in extreme weather conditions, your car may indicate a door ajar even when all the doors are securely closed and latched.
4. Emergency Brake
You’ll see this light when your emergency brake is fully or partially engaged. You should never drive with your emergency brake engaged, as it will damage the car’s brake components. Whether you have a manual or an electronic emergency brake, this light is a reminder to release it before you start to drive. Newer cars may have an audible chime that goes along with this light.
5. ABS Light
All new cars have antilock brakes. This system is computerized and includes a warning light for the driver if something is not working right. The light will display if there is a fault in the system, or if the antilock brakes have been deactivated. While not mechanically necessary to drive down the road, ABS still is an important safety system for driving in slippery conditions and for emergency stopping, so get the system fixed as soon as possible.
6. Airbag Light
Just like ABS, all new cars have airbags. The airbag system relies on sensors and works continually while you drive. The airbag light will show up if there is a problem with any of the system’s components or sensors. Like ABS, airbags are technically necessary for driving. However, if the airbag light is on, it could mean some (or all) of the airbags in your vehicle won’t deploy in an accident. Your best option is to get your airbags fixed and fully operational as soon as possible if this warning light comes on.
7. Check Engine
This is an important warning light, because it signals that something is wrong with the car and service is required. It could indicate a bigger problem like overheating or low oil pressure, so keep alert for other warnings that display simultaneously. If the check engine light begins to blink, there is likely a serious fault, so pull over and call for assistance immediately. Learn what to do if your check engine light comes on here.
8. Low Tire Pressure
All new cars include a tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS). This system warns the driver of low tire pressure, an important safety concern for all cars. If this light comes on, pull over at the next opportunity and look at your tires. Some cars display the air pressure in each tire and will indicate which tire needs attention. But it’s not uncommon for a TPMS to falsely warn of a low tire, which makes double-checking your pressure a good skill to learn. It’s good practice to keep a tire-pressure gauge in your glove box, so you can check your tire pressures regularly (and double check if this light comes on). If your tire is only a couple pounds per square inch (PSI) of air off its specified target, get to an air compressor quickly and fill it. But if your tire is more than a few PSI off, or visibly looks low, swap it for your spare tire or call for assistance. Don’t drive your car if your tires are underinflated. For more information on TPMSs and tire pressure, check out this article.
9. Battery
All cars have a battery light to indicate when the car is running off the battery versus when it is running off the alternator. Before you start your car, the battery light should be on, showing that the engine is not running, and that the battery is powering the car’s systems. As soon as you start your car, however, the battery light should disappear as the alternator attached to the engine begins to power the car and recharge your battery. If you see the battery light while you are driving, it usually means there is a problem with the battery or the alternator. You should seek assistance at the next opportunity, as your car can run off the battery for only a short time. Of course, if you’re dealing with a dead battery, you can find answers by reading our article on How to Jump-Start Your Car.
10. Oil Pressure Warning
Your engine can’t run without proper oil pressure. If it suffers a loss of oil pressure, due to either a lack of oil or a fault in the engine, the oil pressure warning light will display, letting you know that you have a mechanical emergency on your hands. Having low oil pressure is not the same as having a low oil level, and you should never ignore this light. Simply put, if your car is running without proper oil pressure, catastrophic damage is actively occurring within your engine. If the oil pressure warning light comes on, pull over immediately, turn off your car, and call a tow truck. Checking or adding oil won’t solve this problem, and whatever you do, do not turn your car back on and attempt to drive without oil or oil pressure.
The Bottom Line
A well-maintained car shouldn’t set off too many warning lights (just keep those doors closed and seatbelts buckled). Still, all drivers should know these 10 key warnings. Staying on top of your car’s warning lights will keep you safe—and could save you money in the long run. Invest some time studying your owner’s manual to become more familiar with the warning lights used on your car, as the images sometimes differ from car to car. With a little prep work, you’ll be able to identify each warning and know how to respond.
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