What dashboard warning lights mean

Teach: What dashboard warning lights mean

What to say

Dashboard warning lights follow a color code: red means stop as soon as it is safe, amber or yellow means book a check within days, and green or blue only tells you something is on. A flashing check engine light is the exception to amber: slow down and get the car looked at the same day. Your owner's manual has a page showing every symbol for your car.

What to show, in order

1. Find the warning light page in your owner's manual now, before you need it, and photograph it on your phone.
2. Treat any red light, such as oil pressure, engine temperature, brake system or charging, as a reason to pull over safely and switch off.
3. Treat an amber light, such as a steady check engine, tire pressure or anti-lock brake light, as a reason to book a check within days.
4. If the check engine light is flashing, reduce speed, avoid hard acceleration and get to a garage the same day.
5. If the tire pressure light comes on, check all four tires with a gauge at the next safe stop.
6. Write down which light came on, when, and anything you heard, felt or smelled, and tell the garage exactly that.

When to stop and call a professional

• Any red light stays on after a restart, or the brake warning light is on while driving.
• The temperature gauge is in the red or steam is coming from under the hood: switch off and call for help.
• The check engine light is flashing, or the car is shaking, losing power or smells of fuel.
• Several warning lights come on at once.

The check question

Ask: A red oil pressure light comes on while you drive. What do you do? Answer: Pull over as soon as it is safe and switch the engine off

From EveryManSkills. General information, not professional advice.