Dashboard lights follow a traffic light system. Red means something serious, so stop safely and get help. Amber (yellow or orange) means something needs checking soon. Green, white or blue means a system is on or working.
Here are the ones people ask about most. Your handbook has the exact symbols for your car, so use this as a guide rather than the last word.
Red lights: stop when it is safe
- Oil pressure (an oil can): the engine is not getting oil pressure. Stop and switch off. Driving on can wreck the engine.
- Coolant or temperature (a thermometer): the engine is overheating. Stop, let it cool and do not open the cap while it is hot.
- Brake system (an exclamation mark in a circle): a brake fault, or the handbrake is on. If it stays on with the handbrake off, do not drive.
- Battery or charging (a battery shape): the car is not charging. It will run for a while on the battery, then stop.
- Airbag or seatbelt: a fault in the safety system, or a belt is not fastened.
Amber lights: get it checked soon
- Engine management (an engine outline): a fault is stored. See engine warning light on.
- ABS: the anti-lock system has a fault. The normal brakes still work, but without ABS help.
- Tyre pressure (TPMS): a tyre is low, or the system has a fault. Check the pressures.
- DPF (a filter shape): the diesel filter is filling with soot. See DPF warning light.
- Glow plug (a coil): on a diesel, a heater fault.
- Power steering: the assistance has a fault, and the steering will be heavy.
Green and blue lights
These are information. Headlights, main beam, fog lights, cruise control and indicators are the usual ones. They are not a fault, but a main beam left on is worth knowing about.
What to do when one comes on
- Do not panic, and do not ignore it.
- Check the colour. If it is red, find somewhere safe to stop.
- Look in the handbook for the symbol.
- If you are unsure, call us. We will tell you whether it is safe to drive to us.
Quick answers
What does a red warning light mean?
Something serious that needs attention now. Stop somewhere safe and get help.
Can I drive with an amber light on?
Often yes, carefully, but get it checked soon. If the car is running badly, stop.
Why did the light come on and then go out?
The car found a fault and then did not see it again. The fault is usually stored, so it is worth a check.
Do you diagnose warning lights?
Yes. We use diagnostic equipment to read the fault and find the cause.