You’re cruising down the road and a light pops up on your car dashboard. It has a symbol that shows a gas can, or maybe a bulb, or perhaps something major such as a (!) sign. You also see colors like yellow/orange or red - either way, it means your car needs help.
Whatever the symbol on these car warning lights may be, seeing these warning lights is not a good sign. Even something that sounds minor like a bad exterior light or low oil pressure can extremely wear down your car in the long run.
The mistake that most people make is they ignore these warning lights and keep driving their cars. It’s reckless, to say the least, and will cost a lot of future repairs and permanent car damage.
Instead of slacking off on needed repairs & lazily ignoring your car’s cries for help- it's extremely important to avoid these warning lights before they occur. But if you still see them, it saves you a lot of time when you quickly understand the issue is & how serious it is.
Read this article to understand the different colors of car warning lights, what they mean, and how to avoid them from showing up in the future:
What Do Car Warning Lights Mean?
The warning lights on your car are indicators that the system has issues. The different colors and symbols tell you where the problem lies. The lights you might observe on your car dashboard are-
Yellow/Orange Warning Lights: They show up when there are minor issues with your car such as oil changes, transmission & engine issues, faulty exterior lights, etc. Although, nothing major means that your car needs to be serviced before you continue using it.
Red Warning Lights: Red means stop! And that’s exactly what you should do when you see this color on your car dashboard. It points to major issues with your car such as engine overheating, battery issues, failing brakes, low oil pressure, etc. that need to be fixed immediately. It’s dangerous to drive your car in this condition.
On the other hand, if you see blue or green lights on your car dashboard, car systems are currently being used and engaged. It’s a sign of normal functionality.
Save your car from seeing those dreaded warning lights again by-
CHECK YOUR CAR OFTEN: If not regularly, at least maintaining your car often saves you time and money rather than repairing it. Keeping a tab on all your car’s systems and topping them as required prevents car issues before they arise.
DON’T LET EXISTING REPAIRS LINGER: When you identify an issue with your car, fix it immediately, especially before you drive again. The longer you ignore these problems, the more damage they do to your car’s workability and performance.
AVOID OVERWORKING YOUR CAR: When your car is pushed beyond its limits, the engine will likely start overheating. Rash driving also puts extra pressure on your car than it’s built for. Avoid doing this to prevent further damage to your car and save it from flashing warning lights.
CHARGE YOUR CAR BATTERY: Many people overlook the fact that car batteries need to be charged at least every 6 weeks. It’s extremely important for the power your car gives. Without it, your car won’t start smoothly and all other electrical car functions suffer too. Recharge your car battery and don’t let the engine idle for long.
REPLACE PARTS THAT DON’T WORK: If you keep using something till it completely wears out - even after multiple repairs, you need to let go. Especially, engines & transmissions for your car need to be replaced immediately and their quality shouldn’t be compromised for optimal car performance.
Conclusion
The warning lights in your car should not be ignored under any circumstances! The color of these lights tells you how serious the problem is. Yellow/orange lights mean there’s a minor issue with your car, such as less fuel in the tank - that’s easily fixed by topping up.
On the other hand, red warning lights that flash on your car dashboard point to major issues that need to be addressed immediately. And, avoid driving your car when you see this light.
To prevent these lights from flashing on your car dashboard, maintain your car regularly and don’t let issues linger for a long time. For instance, if you see an ‘engine temperature warning light’ on your dashboard - let your car cool down before & get it checked for other problems.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to clear the warning lights on the car dashboard?
The best way to clear the warning lights on your car dashboard is to quickly identify the problem. If you don’t nip the problem in the bud, the warning lights will likely continue to flash.
It’s important to get needed repairs done soon and take the necessary precautions, or it can lead to severe damage to your car.
What is an orange warning light in a car?
An orange warning light on a car dashboard is exactly what it sounds like - a warning light! It flashes to alert you of some issues your car is experiencing- such as an oil change, inner system issues, etc.
Why do car warning lights show up while driving?
Car warning lights are indicators of issues with your car. Their color will tell you how serious the problem is. The yellow lights point to warnings that can be easily fixed while you’re using your car.
On the other hand, a red warning light points to something more serious and needs immediate attention.
What does the (!) sign on my car dashboard mean?
The exclamation sign (!) on your car dashboard generally means that your tires have inflation issues. It’s time to check if your tires are punctured or low on air - and fix the issue soon, especially before you start driving.
What does the temperature warning light mean on a car?
The temperature warning light on the car dashboard is red in color and tells you that your engine is overheating. In this situation, it's best to avoid driving your car & fix the engine issue immediately.
Give your car time to cool down by opening the hood and, if the issue persists - it’s time to get your car checked for an engine replacement.
How far can I drive with a car warning light on?
Although it isn’t safe, you can drive for about 40 to 50 miles with a yellow warning light. You can stall on fixing these issues for some time, but eventually, you’ll need to get your car checked.
Alternatively, a red warning light is an indicator of a serious issue and you shouldn’t drive your car when you see one flashing on your car’s dashboard.
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