Modern cars pack a lot of warning lights onto the dash, and it's not always obvious which ones mean pull over now and which ones mean book a service when you get a chance. Here's a rough guide to what the common ones actually mean, grouped by how urgent they are.
Red lights mean stop as soon as it's safe to. The oil pressure light (an oil can symbol) means the engine could be seconds away from serious damage if you keep driving, so pull over immediately and don't restart until it's checked. The temperature light means the engine is overheating, which also calls for pulling over rather than continuing on to your destination. The battery or charging light (a battery symbol) means the electrical system has stopped charging properly, and while the car might keep running for a while on battery power alone, it will eventually stall once the battery's depleted.
Amber or yellow lights mean get it looked at soon, but you don't need to stop immediately. The check engine light is the most common one, and it can mean anything from a loose fuel cap to a failing sensor to a more serious engine issue, which is exactly why it needs a proper scan rather than guessing. ABS lights mean the anti-lock braking system has a fault, so your normal brakes still work, but you've lost the anti-lock function, which matters most in an emergency stop. TPMS lights mean a tyre is low on pressure or a sensor has failed.
Then there are the ones that aren't warnings at all, just reminders: service due lights, which reset after a scheduled service, and low washer fluid lights, which just need a top-up. It's worth knowing the difference so you're not ignoring something serious because it looks similar to something trivial, or panicking over something that just needs topping up.
If a warning light has come on and you're not sure what it means or how urgent it is, our car diagnostics team can scan it properly in Hamilton and tell you exactly what's going on, and if it turns out to be electrical, our auto electrical team can sort it from there. Call 07-846-2137 or book online.
