What All the Symbols on Your Car’s Dashboard Mean
We’ve all been there: You’re driving along, enjoying the views, and all of a sudden you hear a beep—you look down, and a symbol has appeared on your dashboard. You start to wonder what could be wrong with your car.
Some symbols on your car’s dashboard are easier to figure out than others. However, it’s important to know exactly what these warning lights mean in case you need to pull over and call for help.
Types of Car Dashboard Symbols
Not every symbol that appears on your dashboard is a warning light. Some have to do with vehicle features (like lights and cruise control) or safety (like blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warnings) or mechanical issues (like low tire pressure and engine temperature warnings).
When it comes to dashboard lights, colors matter! Green or blue lights simply let you know that a system is on or operating. Orange/yellow warning lights generally signify that your vehicle needs to be serviced or repaired soon. These warnings are less urgent than if you have a red and/or flashing light.
A red light means that you should take action immediately! Some red dashboard lights are safety warnings (like a seat belt reminder) and others are mechanical (like the engine overheating). If a red mechanical light appears, pull over as soon as possible and figure out what’s going on. Your vehicle will likely stop working or become damaged if you continue to drive.
As you read through this list, here are two things to keep in mind:
1. Every car is different, so the symbols on your dashboard may vary slightly from the ones on our list. If in doubt, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual!
2. Many of these dashboard lights will illuminate briefly when you turn on your vehicle and performs a system check. As long as the lights turn off within a few seconds, everything is operating normally.
18 Common Warning Lights on Your Car’s Dashbo
1. Oil Pressure Warning Light
2. Tire Pressure Warning Light
3. Engine Temperature Warning Light
4. Traction Control Alert Light
5. Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light
6. Traction Control Malfunction Light
7. Engine Warning Light (Check Engine Light)
8. Battery Alert Light
9. Low Fuel Indicator Light
10. Automatic Shift Lock or Engine Start Indicator Light
11. Seat Belt Reminder Light
12. Airbag Warning Light
13. Security Indicator Light
14. Fog Lamp Indicator Light
15. Washer Fluid Indicator Light
16. Brake Warning Light
17. Lane Departure Warning Light
18. Transmission Temperature Warning Light
