Warning Light Guide
Find the light on your dashboard below. Red usually means stop or act now, amber means get it checked soon, green or blue is information.
Oil pressure Stop now
Looks like: Red oil can with a drip
What it means: Oil pressure has dropped too low to protect the engine. This is not just a reminder to top up.
What to do: Pull over safely and switch the engine off as soon as possible. Check the oil level once the car has stood for a few minutes. Do not keep driving with this light on — call for help if the level is fine or the light stays on.
Engine temperature Stop now
Looks like: Red thermometer in liquid
What it means: The engine is overheating.
What to do: Pull over and switch off. Never open the radiator or coolant cap while hot. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes before checking the coolant level. Continuing to drive can cause severe engine damage.
Brake system Stop now
Looks like: Red circle with “!” or “BRAKE”
What it means: The parking brake is on, brake fluid is low, or there is a fault in the brake system.
What to do: Check the parking brake is fully released. If the light stays on, or the pedal feels soft, stop driving and have the brakes inspected.
Battery / charging Act now
Looks like: Red battery with + and −
What it means: The charging system (often the alternator or its belt) is not keeping the battery charged.
What to do: Switch off non-essential electrics and drive directly to a safe place or a shop. The car may stall once the battery runs down.
Airbag (SRS) Get checked soon
Looks like: Seated person with a circle in front
What it means: A fault in the airbag or seat-belt pretensioner system. Airbags may not deploy in a crash.
What to do: The car is usually drivable, but have it checked promptly — this is a safety system.
Power steering Get checked soon
Looks like: Steering wheel with “!”
What it means: A fault in the electric or hydraulic power steering. Steering may become heavy.
What to do: Drive carefully to a safe place and have it checked. Steering will still work but may need much more effort.
Seat belt reminder Information
Looks like: Seated person wearing a belt
What it means: A front seat belt is not fastened.
What to do: Fasten belts. If it stays on with belts fastened, the sensor may need checking.
Check engine (steady) Get checked soon
Looks like: Amber engine outline
What it means: The engine computer has stored a fault code — anything from a loose fuel cap to a sensor or emissions fault.
What to do: Tighten the fuel cap, then have the code read (many parts stores do it free). Book a diagnosis within days, not weeks.
Check engine (flashing) Act now
Looks like: Amber engine outline, flashing
What it means: Usually a severe engine misfire that can overheat and damage the catalytic converter.
What to do: Reduce speed, avoid hard acceleration and get the car checked straight away. Pull over if the car runs badly.
Tire pressure (TPMS) Check today
Looks like: Horseshoe shape with “!”
What it means: Steady: one or more tires are significantly under-inflated. Flashing then steady: a TPMS sensor or system fault.
What to do: Check all four tires with a gauge and inflate to the pressure on the driver’s door-jamb placard.
ABS Get checked soon
Looks like: “ABS” in a circle
What it means: The anti-lock braking system has a fault. Normal brakes usually still work, but wheels may lock under hard braking.
What to do: Drive with extra care and have it checked soon. If the red brake light is also on, stop driving.
Traction / stability control Information
Looks like: Car with wavy skid lines
What it means: Flashing while driving: the system is working to stop wheel spin. Steady: the system is off or has a fault.
What to do: If flashing, ease off the accelerator. If steady and you did not switch it off, have it checked.
Low fuel Information
Looks like: Fuel pump
What it means: The fuel tank is close to the reserve level.
What to do: Refuel soon. Repeatedly running very low can strain the fuel pump.
Service / maintenance due Information
Looks like: Wrench or “SERVICE”
What it means: A scheduled service, such as an oil change, is coming up or due.
What to do: Book the service. The light is reset after the work is done.
Headlights / high beam Information
Looks like: Blue lamp with straight lines
What it means: High beams are on.
What to do: Dip to low beam for oncoming traffic.
Symbols and meanings vary between manufacturers. Your owner’s manual has the definitive list for your car. For more detail read dashboard warning lights explained.
Our guides are general information for typical passenger cars. Always follow your vehicle's owner's manual, and have safety-critical problems such as brakes or steering checked by a qualified mechanic.