The Top 10 Dashboard Indicator Lights: What They All Mean

Your Vehicle’s Dashboard Indicator Lights: What They Mean and What to Do

Here in South Carolina, we have signs everywhere that inform us while on the road. For example, highway signs that inform and honor our Gamecock women’s basketball national titles. Go Gamecocks! But, we also have signs inside our vehicles that are equally informative and helpful: Your Dashboard Indicator Lights.

Your vehicle’s dashboard is like the command center of your car, providing vital information about its health and performance. And among the most informative parts of this dashboard are the indicator lights. Because, these small icons can tell you a lot about what’s happening under the hood. And knowing what they mean can be the difference between a smooth drive and a roadside emergency.

So in this blog, the experts at Meineke in Rock Hill provide a breakdown of some of the most common dashboard indicator lights, what they mean, and what action you should take when the light up.

1. Check Engine Light

Appearance: A symbol that looks like an engine or simply the words “Check Engine.”
Meaning: This light can indicate a range of issues, from something minor like a loose gas cap to something serious like a malfunctioning oxygen sensor.
What to Do: If the light is steady, schedule a service appointment with your locally-owned Meineke in Rock Hill as soon as possible. And if it’s flashing, this indicates a more severe problem. So, you should pull over and seek immediate assistance.

2. Battery Alert Light

Appearance: A battery symbol.
Meaning: This light indicates a problem with the vehicle’s electrical system, often related to the battery, alternator, or wiring.
What to Do: If this light comes on, try to reduce the electrical load (turn off accessories like the radio or air conditioning) and drive to the ASE certified mechanics at Meineke in Rock Hill as soon as possible. Because, your car could lose power entirely if the issue isn’t addressed.

3. Oil Pressure Warning Light

Appearance: A symbol resembling an oil can with a drip.
Meaning: This light indicates low oil pressure, which could be due to low oil levels, a faulty oil pump, or a serious leak.
What to Do: Stop driving immediately and check your oil level. And if the oil level is fine, have the vehicle inspected by the professionals at Meineke in Rock Hill before continuing to drive.

4. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light

Appearance: An exclamation mark inside a horseshoe shape.
Meaning: This light indicates that one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
What to Do: Check the air pressure in your tires and inflate them to the recommended levels. But, if the light remains on, there may be an issue with the TPMS itself.

5. Brake System Warning Light

Appearance: An exclamation mark inside a circle, often accompanied by the word “BRAKE.”
Meaning: This could indicate several issues, including low brake fluid or a problem with the brake system. Or it could indicate that the parking brake is engaged.
What to Do: Check to see if your parking brake is on. And if it’s not, have your brake system inspected immediately at Meineke in Rock Hill, as this is a critical safety component.

6. Coolant Temperature Warning Light

Appearance: A thermometer submerged in liquid.
Meaning: This light signals that your engine is overheating.
What to Do: Pull over immediately, turn off the engine, and let it cool. Because, continuing to drive could cause severe engine damage. And then, wait for the engine to cool, then check the coolant level and add more if needed.

7. ABS Warning Light

Appearance: The letters “ABS.”
Meaning: This light indicates an issue with the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
What to Do: While your regular brakes should still work, the ABS may not function properly. So, have the system checked at Meineke in Rock Hill to ensure your braking system is fully operational.

8. Airbag Warning Light

Appearance: A figure with an inflated airbag.
Meaning: This light indicates a problem with the airbag system, which could mean the airbags may not deploy in an accident.
What to Do: Call Meineke in Rock Hill to schedule a check as soon as possible to ensure your safety in the event of a collision.

9. Traction Control Warning Light

Appearance: A car with wavy lines underneath it.
Meaning: This light indicates an issue with your vehicle’s traction control system, which helps maintain control during slippery conditions.
What to Do: While you can still drive, be cautious, especially in wet or icy conditions. And have the system checked to ensure it’s functioning correctly.

10. Low Fuel Indicator Light

Appearance: A gas pump symbol.
Meaning: Your fuel level is low.
What to Do: Fill up your tank as soon as possible. Because, driving on low fuel can lead to the vehicle stalling and other issues that may damage your fuel pump over time.

Understanding what your vehicle’s dashboard indicator lights mean lets you know exactly what the problem is and how to deal with it.

And this, along with regular maintenance will ensure that you and your vehicle stay safe on the road. However, when in doubt, you can always call auto care experts at Meineke in Rock Hill to diagnose and fix any issues.

If the Meineke in Rock Hill, SC is not a convenient location, check out these other locally-owned Meineke North and South Carolina locations:

North Carolina

MEINEKE ASHEVILLE #1596
801 Fairview Road Suite 14
Asheville, NC 28803
Call (833) 720-9793

MEINEKE ASHEVILLE #2467
124 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
Call (833) 243-0637

MEINEKE MOORESVILLE #1931
190 E. Plaza Drive
Mooresville, NC 28115
Call (980) 444-0002

MEINEKE LINCOLNTON #2159
2009 East Main Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Call (704) 240-9839

MEINEKE WALKERTOWN #2394
5267 Neal Trail Dr
Walkertown, NC 27051
Call (877) 688-8804

MEINEKE ARDEN #2468
2137 Hendersonville Road
Arden, NC 28704
Call (844) 891-3628

MEINEKE HICKORY #2884
1052 11th Avenue Blvd SE
Hickory, NC 28602
Call (828) 270-7267

South Carolina

MEINEKE EASLEY #2983
6949 Calhoun Memorial Hwy
Easley, SC 29640
Call (864) 644-8872

MEINEKE ROCK HILL #1134
2366 Dave Lyle Boulevard
Rock Hill, SC 29730-8931
Call (803) 328-6677

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