Modern vehicles are pretty complicated. There are many features and detectors aimed to make your driving safer and more comfortable.
Those dashboard lights are a way to let you know that one of those indicators might have sensed a problem or one of the essential features may be failing. However, we often ignore them or vice versa start panicking as soon as a new signal lights up on the dashboard.
In this article, we have collected the eight most essential dashboard lights every driver should know about. It will help you fix the issue before it turns into a dangerous and costly problem or avoid an unnecessary panic when you see one of them.
Check engine light
This one might be the scariest of them all. Indeed, what can be worse than a problem with the engine – the heart of your car. However, the check engine light does not necessarily mean that you are about to get stuck with a dead car.
This light may indicate lots of problems. Some of them are more urgent. Others may be less dramatic but still need the attention of a professional mechanic. Anyway, make sure to address a body shop as soon as you notice the check engine light.
Battery charge warning light
This light may indicate that your battery or alternator doesn’t work correctly. It is pretty easy to check your battery with a simple tester. You can buy them in shops or online and keep them in the car to avoid unnecessary panic. It is also a good idea to get a portable battery charger and keep it in the car.
Brake warning light
Another pretty scary light, which in fact may mean that your car is unsafe to drive. A problem with brakes requires immediate professional attention, that s why you should take a car to the shop as soon as you see this light.
Traction control warning
This sign shows that your car may be losing traction with the road. Technically, it turns on when one wheel of your car starts to spin faster than the others.
This light does not mean something is wrong with the car, but it shows that the road you are driving now may be dangerous. Although it automatically engages the brakes to help your vehicle regain traction, you should be most careful driving while this light is on.
Engine temperature warning
This light shows that your engine is overheating. Most probably, the coolant is leaking, or there is another problem with this fluid.
Anyway, make sure to pull over to let the engine cool down a bit. If you decide to address the problem yourself, don’t forget protective gloves to avoid nasty burns.
Oil pressure warning light
When was the last time you checked the oil in your car? The oil pressure warning light shows that the engine parts don’t get enough lubrication. They may start rubbing and grinding, causing severe and costly damages.
Therefore, it is one of the lights that should never be ignored.
Tire pressure warning
This light indicates that the pressure in one or more tires in your vehicle is too low or too high. It can be a serious safety concern. Therefore, you should address the problem as soon as possible.
Luckily, it is one of the issues that you can fix yourself. Every gas station has a special place where you can check and adjust the tire pressure. The recommended tire pressure for your vehicle is marked in the manual and on a special sticker at a driver’s door.
ABS Warning
Most modern cars have anti-lock brakes for your safety, and if the ABS light is on, it may mean that something is wrong with this system, and your vehicle may even be unsafe to drive. It is one of the problems that a qualified mechanic should address.
Those warning lights are on your dashboard for a reason, and as soon as one of them turns on, it may mean that you risk getting into an accident or end up with a dead car in the mi=idle of nowhere. To avoid it, make sure to address the problem as soon as the warning light occurs.
However, once you take your car for regular checkups and maintenance, there’s a big chance that you will never see most of those lights on your dashboard and save a lot of time and money on repairs.
Contact OHS Body shop and schedule your next checkup. Or visit one of our branches located all over Montana’s Greater Flathead Valley, in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Polson, and get an urgent repair or a thorough consultation on the maintenance of your car.
