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 warnings need attention, but the urgency depends on the light, the message on the dash and how the vehicle is behaving. Check the owner’s handbook rather than relying on colour alone. A flashing engine light, rough running or loss of power can require urgent attention: stop somewhere safe and seek advice if you are unsure whether to continue. A tyre-pressure warning means you should stop safely and check the tyres before continuing. An ABS warning can mean anti-lock braking is unavailable; if a brake warning also appears or braking feels different, stop safely and seek assistance.
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 appears and you are unsure what it means, check your handbook and stop safely if the vehicle is behaving abnormally. Contact Speedwell for a diagnostic assessment. We use fault information and targeted testing to investigate the cause, then explain what needs to happen next. Call 07 846 2137.
