Dashboard warning lights explained

When your car’s warning lights come on, they may be warning you of a major issue, and if you ignore them, you risk doing huge damage to your car.

These warning lights typically serve as a reminder that you need to have your car serviced or maintained.

Warning lights can range in severity, and the colour of the light often indicates how serious the issue is.

Unsurprisingly, red alerts are frequently of greatest risk and should be addressed as soon as possible because they may point to a serious technical or safety hazard. Normally, yellow warning signals mean that a car service or other type of maintenance is required.

On the other hand, if a yellow warning light flashes, it needs to be fixed right away. Last but not least, green and blue dashboard lights often just inform the driver that a device is operational.

Check engine light: This light alerts the driver to any engine-related problems, which could be as minor as a loose cap or as serious as a misfire.

Temperature warning light: The warning light for high temperatures typically resembles a thermometer with wavy lines underneath it. This light is a critical warning since it suggests that your engine is overheating and that a cooling issue might exist.

Oil warning light: means there is not enough oil in your engine to lubricate all moving parts, as indicated by the oil warning light. In general, you should shut off your engine if this light appears to minimise harm.

Brake warning light: The brake warning light is probably one of the most crucial warning lights that needs to be examined immediately since it signals that there is a problem with your brakes or braking system, which could make it difficult for you to stop your car.

Battery charging light: If this light is on, your charging mechanism is malfunctioning, and your battery can be critically low. It’s crucial to have your batteries inspected.

Tyre pressure warning light: Not all cars have this warning light; it is typically found on newer cars. The tire-marked symbol denotes that not all tyres are inflated to the same pressure or to the minimum standards.ABS (anti-lock braking system) warning light: If your dashboard displays this light, it means that your anti-skid braking system has failed, and you should brake carefully until the issue has been fixed.

Cruise control light: indicates that the cruise control is active and travelling at a constant speed until the driver deactivates it. It looks like a little speedometer with an arrow.

Auto engine start light: This light looks like a shoe that has been tilted at a 45-degree angle and indicates the engine will auto-start again once you take your foot off the brake or clutch.

The best way to avoid problems with your vehicle is to ensure your car services and vehicle maintenance are up to date.

• Information from MotorHappy