Modern cars have dozens of possible dashboard symbols, and most drivers only ever see a handful. When a new one appears, the first question is always the same: can I keep driving?
The color is the quickest guide. The exact meaning of each symbol varies a little between makes, so check the instrument cluster section of your owner's manual. But the general system is very consistent.
What the colors mean
- Red: a serious problem or a safety issue. Stop as soon as it's safe, or at least don't carry on as normal.
- Amber or yellow: something needs attention soon. Usually safe to drive carefully to a garage.
- Green or blue: a system is on. Headlights, cruise control, high beams. Nothing is wrong.
Lights that mean stop
These are the ones not to ignore, even for a few miles.
| Light | Color | What it means and what to do |
|---|---|---|
| Check engine | Amber | The engine computer found a fault. Steady means get it checked soon. Flashing means a misfire that can damage the catalytic converter, so reduce speed and get help promptly. |
| Oil pressure | Red | Oil pressure is too low. Stop the engine safely as soon as possible. Driving on with this light on can destroy an engine. |
| Engine temperature | Red | The engine is overheating. Pull over, turn the engine off and let it cool. Never open a hot radiator cap. |
| Battery / charging | Red | The charging system isn't keeping the battery charged. The car will run until the battery is drained, so head somewhere safe. |
| Brake system | Red | The parking brake is on, brake fluid is low, or there is a brake system fault. If the parking brake is off, don't keep driving. |
| ABS | Amber | The anti-lock braking system has a fault. Normal braking usually still works, but ABS won't. Get it inspected. |
| Tire pressure (TPMS) | Amber | One or more tires are well below the recommended pressure. Check all tires with a gauge when cold. A flashing light often means a sensor fault. |
| Airbag | Red or amber | A fault in the airbag system. The airbags may not deploy in a crash. Get it checked soon. |
| Traction or stability control | Amber | Flashing means the system is working on a slippery surface. Steady means it is turned off or has a fault. |
| Low fuel | Amber | Fuel is low. The manual usually gives the approximate range left, which is less than people assume. |
The check engine light, explained
The check engine light (an engine outline, usually amber) is the most misunderstood light on the dashboard. It covers hundreds of possible faults, from a loose gas cap to a failing sensor.
If it's steady, the car has stored a fault code. It's generally safe to drive, but book a check soon, because a small problem can get more expensive. If it's flashing, the engine is misfiring badly enough to damage the catalytic converter. Reduce speed, avoid hard acceleration, and get it looked at right away.
Many auto parts stores will read the stored code for free, and inexpensive OBD-II readers let you read it yourself. The code narrows things down but doesn't always name the failed part.
Tire pressure light
The TPMS light looks like a horseshoe with an exclamation mark. It comes on when a tire is significantly underinflated. Cold weather causes it often, since pressure drops as temperature falls. Check all four tires with a gauge, and inflate them to the pressure on the label in the driver's door jamb, not the number on the tire sidewall. The sidewall shows the maximum, not the recommended pressure.
Why lights flash on at startup
When you turn the key or press start, most warning lights briefly come on as a bulb and system check. They should go out within a few seconds. If a light stays on after the engine starts, that's when it matters.
Finding your car's exact symbols
Look for the chapter called "Instrument cluster", "Warning and indicator lights" or "Gauges" in your owner's manual. Most newer cars also show a text message alongside the symbol on the driver display. Our car manual hub links to each manufacturer's owner site.