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What Does A Blue Engine Coolant Temperature Light Indicate?

A blue engine coolant temperature light only indicates one thing: that your coolant, or antifreeze, is too cold. In fact, the temperature is so low that it is possible for your radiator to get too cold, thus resulting in your engine freezing up and not being able to start.

But for this light to come on right at startup is normal. If anything, it's simply telling you that you just need to let your engine warm up a bit. In the meantime, your vehicle's system is performing a routine temperature check, and that's normal. It's also an excellent safety feature that wakes up your engine prior to take-off. Allowing your vehicle a couple of minutes to warm up is equivalent to you enjoying that delicious first cup of coffee that starts you up and keeps you going the rest of the day.

In most cases, this blue light only stays on for a minute or two. When this happens, driving off right away is ill-advised, especially in certain gears. The blue light will go off when you've given your car sufficient time to warm up. If anything, once your engine warms, all of the other fluids can do their jobs effectively. Your oil will be able to lubricate all parts while your transmission fluid controls your speed and motion well. Plus, power steering fluid can be more readily distributed in hydraulic systems and using the wheel will be safe and effective.

But if the blue light persists beyond two minutes, your antifreeze may be at stake. If this happens, it is advised that you turn off your engine and wait for it to cool down sufficiently before checking your antifreeze levels. Failure to do so could be fatal in that you might face a shower of scalding, hot water spraying your face, and third-degree burns may result.

Low antifreeze levels may be the result of a leak hiding somewhere in your tank. If you're unsure of how to inspect it for a leak, it may be best to have a professional inspection done. If you feel you need service, we invite you to bring your vehicle into our auto repair shop today!

What 18 Symbols On Your Car’s Dashboard Mean

When something goes wrong with your car , or if a feature you should know about gets activated, a signal funnels through the electrical system and into the dashboard. This illuminates a symbol on the dash, and these cover a wide range of issues—some of which may be serious. Here are the meanings behind 18 of these curious-looking markers (and what they look like, in case you need a reminder.)

Your dashboard may be different and the symbols may have altered designs or indicate slightly different things, so be sure to consult your owner’s manual. Some of these lights could portend a serious malfunction . Don’t ignore them. When in doubt, have a professional check it out.

Table Of Contents

1. engine temperature warning light, 2. tire pressure warning light, 3. oil pressure warning, 4. traction control, 5. engine warning, 6. anti-lock brake warning, 7. rear window defrost light, 8. battery alert, 9. fuel indicator symbol, 10. seatbelt reminder light, 11. airbag indicator, 12. fog lamp indicator, 13. air suspension warning, 14. lane departure warning, 15. washer fluid indicator, 16. cruise control indicator, 17. lamp out warning, 18. brake pad warning.

What it looks like: A pirate ship with its sails down as if to say, “I’m just a normal boat, no pirates here.”

What it means: Your engine is too hot, friend. Here is a useful guide for what to do if your engine overheats.

What it looks like: A Buckingham Palace guard telling you the field goal is good !

What it means: The pressure in one or more of your tires is too low and needs to be attended to.

What it looks like: You’re about to get three wishes.

What it means: Your engine is running low on oil, or there is a problem with your car’s oil pressure system.

What it looks like: Cthulhu wearing a fedora.

What it means: The car’s traction control system is engaged.

What it looks like: Yellow submarine, a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine.

What it means: It can blink on to warn you of a number of issues , from minor (a loose gas cap) to major (wiring problems).

More Articles About Cars:

What it looks like: The cover of a fitness magazine.

What it means: There is an issue with your anti-lock brake system that needs to be diagnosed and fixed.

What it looks like: An aerial view of snakes slithering through windows into your house.

What it means: The rear-window defroster is engaged, so any condensation should clear up in a jiffy.

What it looks like: Math LEGO .

What it means: The car’s charging system is short of power. You are running solely off the battery.

What it looks like: A snake-infested ATM.

What it means: You are running low on fuel. Also: the symbol on the fuel gauge has an arrow next to it—this indicates which side of the car has the gas cap. No more gas station three-point turns in rental cars ever again!

What it looks like: Zorro if he messed up drawing his initial with his sword.

What it means: Buckle your seatbelt , please.

What it looks like: A man sitting calmly in a lawn chair gazing at the sunset.

What it means: There may be an issue with one or more of your car’s airbags, or the airbag system in general.

What it looks like: A jellyfish leaping through a waterfall.

What it means: Your fog lights are on.

What it looks like: Your bass is so loud your car bounces up and down.

What it means: There’s a problem with the car’s air suspension system, which includes inflatable bags meant to make the rider smoother.

What it looks like: A Mayan pyramid.

What it means: You seem to be drifting out of your lane unintentionally—get your eyes on the road!

What it looks like: A conductor’s point of view, tapping her music stand and preparing to lead an orchestra consisting of two candy canes that are stuck together.

What it means: The washer fluid level is low. Please fill that up when you get a chance.

What it looks like: A sundial indicating 10 a.m.

What it means: You’ve turned on cruise control. When the light is orange, it's waiting for you to set the preferred speed. When it turns green, you’ll be traveling at that speed.

What it looks like: A shiny gold medal from the Shouting! Olympics!

What it means: One of the car’s lamps—the headlight, taillight, or other exterior light—has burned out. You should probably get the bulb replaced before you get a ticket.

What it looks like: You’re staring down the drain of your kitchen sink.

What it means: The car’s brake pads are getting too thin. Time to get them inspected and replaced.

A version of this story ran in 2016; it has been updated for 2022.

The 89 Most Common Symbols On Your Car’s Dashboard

• Updated: March 21, 2024

We’re all familiar with that moment of uncertainty when a warning light flashes on our car’s dashboard. It leaves us scrambling for the manual, attempting to decipher what the illuminated symbol signifies.

In this article, we will guide you through the top 89 most common car dashboard symbols and their meanings, empowering you with knowledge for the next time a warning light appears. By recognizing what these lights indicate, you can sidestep expensive repairs in the future.

Some dashboard symbols and warning lights are more common than others. Some are specific to certain car brands, while others will be seen on most car models on the market. We will begin by showing you the most common dashboard symbols that can be found in most car brands.

Here is a list of the dashboard symbols, and you can click on each name to get more information about the specific warning light.

Engine & Emission

1. Check Engine Light

A Check Engine light indicates an issue with the engine or the emissions. It can be shown either as an engine symbol or as plain text reading “Check Engine”. Read More

2. Anti-lock Braking System

An ABS light indicates there is an issue with your anti-lock brakes or Anti-lock braking system (ABS). Read more

3. Airbag Indicator

An airbag light means that there is an issue with the airbag system. The airbags will not deploy in an accident with the light on. Read more

4. Oil Level Warning Light

A yellow oil level warning light indicates a low engine oil level. The oil level should be checked as soon as possible. Most likely due to an oil leak.

5. Oil Pressure Warning

A red oil pressure light indicates low oil pressure in the engine. Your engine should be switched off immediately to avoid damage when the oil pressure warning light shows. Read more

6. Battery Charge Warning

A battery charge warning symbol means that the generator is not charging the battery properly and that your engine is at risk of shutting down due to low battery capacity. Read more

7. Coolant Temperature Warning Light

An engine temperature warning light means that the engine coolant temperature is high and that the engine should be turned off immediately to avoid further damage. Read more

8. Tire Pressure Warning Light

A tire pressure warning light indicates low air pressure in one or more tires. It can also be caused by a faulty or uncalibrated tire pressure sensor. Read more

9. Traction Control/ESP Light

An ESP or Traction control light indicates an issue with the traction control system. Your traction control system will not work when the light is on, and this can be dangerous. Read More

10. Service Engine Soon

A Service Engine Soon message indicates minor trouble with the engine or low fluid levels. Read more

11. Low Washer Fluid Light

A washer fluid symbol means that the windshield washer fluid level is low or has incorrect measurements.

12. Automatic Shift Lock Symbol

An automatic shift lock symbol indicates the brake pedal is not pressed. The car will not start, and the shifter won’t move out of Park.

13. Reduced Engine Power

A Reduced engine power car light means that there is an issue with the engine and the power is reduced to protect the engine. Read more

14. Lambda Warning Light

A lambda warning light indicates there is an issue with the air-fuel mixture or an issue with the oxygen sensors. This light is more common in older car models.

15. Low Coolant Indicator

A low coolant warning light indicates there is a low coolant level in the coolant reservoir or an issue with the coolant level sensor. Check for leaks around the radiator, radiator cap , coolant hoses, or water pump.

16. Glow Plug Indicator (Diesel)

A glow plug symbol indicates there is an issue with the glow plugs or the glow plug control system.

17. Fuel Filter Level Warning

A fuel filter level warning light means that the water-trap in the fuel level is full and needs to be emptied.

18. Power Steering Level Symbol

A power steering level warning light indicates the power steering fluid level is low, or there is an issue with the level sensor.

19. Electronic Throttle Control Light

An electronic throttle control (ETC) warning light indicates there is an issue with the engine’s electronic throttle body or the system.

20. Particle Filter Warning (Diesel)

A diesel particulate filter warning light indicates there is an issue with the diesel particulate filter system (DPF), or that the particle filter is full and needs regeneration or replacement.

21. Low Fuel Level

A low fuel level symbol means that the fuel tank level is low or that there is an issue with the fuel level measuring system. There could also be an arrow, indicating which side your gas cap is on.

22. Catalytic Converter Warning

A catalytic converter warning light indicates there is an issue with the catalytic converter control system, or the catalytic converter is damaged.

23. Master Warning Light

A master warning light normally shows up together with another warning light and means that there is an issue with your car. Let a mechanic take a look.

24. Blinking Engine Light

A blinking or flashing engine light indicates there is an issue with your engine ongoing right now. A flashing light is normally triggered by a misfiring engine. Read more.

25. Transmission Temperature Warning

A transmission temperature warning light indicates the transmission temperature is too high, or there is an issue with the temperature measurement.

26. Traction Control Off

The traction control off symbol means that the traction control is manually switched off.

27. Powertrain Fault

A powertrain fault symbol indicates there is an issue with the powertrain or drivetrain system, like the 4WD or AWD system, for example.

28. Overdrive Off indicator

An overdrive off symbol means that the automatic transmission overdrive system is switched off. Read more

29. Parking Brake Light

A parking brake warning light indicates the parking brake is engaged, or there is an issue with the parking brake system

30. Differential Temperature Warning

A differential temperature warning light indicates the differential temperature is too high, or there is an issue with the measurement system.

31. DTC Warning Light

A DTC warning light means that there is an issue with the BMW traction control system.

32. ESP BAS

An ESP BAS warning light indicates an issue with the electronic stability program or brake assist program.

33. Automatic Gearbox Warning

An automatic gearbox warning indicates an issue with the automatic transmission or the system controlling it.

34. Brake Pad Warning

A Brake pad warning light means that the front or rear brake pads are worn and need to be replaced.

35. Brake Warning Light

A brake warning light indicates an issue with the brake system. This should be checked immediately because you may lose your brakes otherwise.

36. Service Vehicle Soon

A service vehicle soon symbol indicates there is an issue with the ABS, traction control, or electric suspension system.

37. 4WD Engaged Indicator

A 4WD engaged symbol means that the four-wheel-drive system is engaged.

38. 2WD Engaged Indicator

A 2WD engaged symbol indicates the 4WD system is switched off and the car is sending power to two wheels only.

39. All Wheel Drive (AWD/4WD)

An All Wheel Drive symbol indicates that the AWD or 4WD system is engaged.

40. Hazard Lights On

A hazard lights symbol means that the hazard lights are turned on.

41. Door Ajar Symbol

A door ajar symbol indicates that one of the doors is open or there is an issue with the door switch system.

42. Hood Open

A hood open symbol indicates that the hood is not closed properly. It is very dangerous to drive with a hood that is not secured at higher speeds.

43. Lane Departure Warning

A lane departure warning light indicates the vehicle is moving out from the lane without signaling

44. Forward Collision Warning

A forward-collision warning light means that there is a potential collision detected.

45. SRS Light

An SRS warning light indicates there is an issue with the airbag or supplemental restraint system. Read more

46. Seatbelt Indicator

A seatbelt symbol indicates one or more seat belts are not closed or there is an issue with the system. Check both the driver and passenger sides and the rear seats on some car models.

47. Side Airbag Warning Light

A side airbag warning light indicates the side airbags are turned off or there is an issue with the side airbags.

48. Power Steering Warning Light

A power steering warning light means that there is an issue with the power steering system

49. Icy Road Warning Light

An icy road warning light indicates the outside temperature is cold and that there is a risk of an icy road. Slow down!

50. Distance Warning

A distance warning indicates the front radar detected that your vehicle is too close to the car in front or is being approached too quickly.

51. Bonnet Open

A bonnet open symbol means that the bonnet is not closed properly, or there is an issue with the bonnet lock switch.

52. Headlight Range Control

A headlight range control warning light indicates there is an issue with the headlight range control system

53. Exterior Light Fault

An exterior light warning light indicates an issue with one or more exterior lights, usually faulty light bulbs.

54. Highbeam Light Indicator

A high beam light symbol means that the high beam lights are turned on

55. Auto High Beam Lights

An auto high beam lights symbol means that the auto high beam system is turned on

56. Position Light Indicator

A position light symbol will turn on when the headlights are switched off and the position lights are on

57. Low Beam Indicator Light

A low beam light symbol is turned on when the low beam headlights are turned on

58. Front Fog Lights On

A front fog light symbol is illuminated when the front fog lights are turned on.

59. Rear Fog Light On

A rear fog light symbol is illuminated when the rear fog lights are turned on.

60. Turn Lights Warning Symbol

A turn light warning symbol indicates that there is an issue with the headlight’s turn-light system.

61. Windshield Defrost Indicator

A windshield defrost symbol indicates that the windshield defroster is turned on.

62. Rear Window Defrost

A rear window defrost symbol means that the rear window’s defroster is turned on.

63. Cruise Control On Indicator

A green cruise control symbol indicates the cruise control is switched on and engaged.

64. Cruise Control Warning

A cruise control warning symbol indicates there is an issue with the cruise control or throttle control system.

65. Cruise Control Speed Limiter

A cruise control speed limiter symbol means that the cruise control system will limit the max speed.

66. Cruise Control SET Indicator

A “SET” symbol indicates that the cruise control is set to a fixed speed and trying to hold the speed.

67. Shift Up Indicator

A shift up symbol indicates that it’s time to shift up to a higher gear.

68. Shift Down Indicator

A shift down symbol means that it’s time to shift down to a lower gear.

69. Auto Windshield Wiper

An auto windshield wiper symbol indicates that the auto wiper system is turned on.

70. Recirculated Cabin Air

A recirculated cabin air symbol indicates that the car will recirculate the air inside the car instead of taking air from the outside of the car

71. Heater Blower Fan On

A heater blower fan symbol means that the blower motor is turned on.

72. Heated Seats On

A heated seat symbol indicates that one or more seats’ heating system is turned on.

73. Hill Descent Control

A hill descent control symbol indicates that the hill descent system is turned on and will limit the car’s speed while going downhill.

74. Steering Lock Warning Light

A steering lock warning light means that there is an issue with the steering lock or that the car key is not recognized

75. Brake Fluid Level Warning

A brake fluid level warning indicates that the brake fluid level is too low, or there is an issue with the measurement system.

76. Key Not in Vehicle Indicator

A Key Not in Vehicle symbol indicates the car’s immobilizer system can’t reach or recognize your car key.

77. Immobilizer Indicator

An immobilizer symbol means that it can’t reach or recognize your car key, or there is an issue with the immobilizer system.

78. Ignition Switch Warning

An ignition switch warning symbol indicates that there is an issue with the ignition switch system.

79. Low Electric Battery Charge

A low electric battery charge symbol indicates that it’s time to charge your electric vehicle’s battery.

80. Brake Lights Warning

A brake light warning light indicates that the brake lights are not working.

81. Air Suspension Warning

An air suspension warning symbol means that there is an issue with the air suspension system.

82. Suspension Warning Light

A suspension warning light shows up when there is a malfunction with the electric suspension system.

83. Car on Ramp Mode

A car on ramp mode warning symbol turns on when the car’s tires are raised up in the air or when the repair mode is activated.

84. ECO Mode On Indicator

An ECO Mode on symbol indicates that the Economy system is turned on. Read more

85. Rear Spoiler Warning

A rear spoiler warning light indicates that there is a malfunction in the rear spoiler electric system

86. Lane Assist

A green lane assist symbol indicates that the lane assist system is turned on.

87. Exhaust Fluid (Diesel)

An exhaust fluid warning light means that the exhaust fluid (AdBlue) level is low in your diesel car.

88. Convertible Roof Warning Light

A Convertible Roof Warning Light indicates that the convertible roof system is opening or closing.

89. Blue Coolant Temp Light

A blue engine temperature symbol means that the engine is still cold and you should drive carefully.

• Toyota Dashboard Lights
• Lexus Warning Lights

Categories: General , Warning Lights

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A Guide to the Dashboard Warning Lights on Your Vehicle

Last Updated: January 5, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was written by Matthew Rava and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure . Matthew Rava is an Auto Repair Expert and the Co-founder & Head of Marketing of Brakes to You. He specializes in auto repairs that concern brakes. Matthew earned a BS from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. There are 22 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 9,978 times.

If a symbol you don’t recognize pops up on your dashboard, you're in the right place. We’ll break down all of the common car dashboard lights and symbols and cover their meanings so that you can figure out what your vehicle is trying to tell you, if there's a problem, and how to fix it. This article is based on an interview with our auto repair expert, Matthew Rava, co-founder of Marketing of Brakes to You. Check out the full interview here.

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Check Engine

Coolant Temperature

Transmission Temperature

Oil Pressure Warning

Brake System

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Traction/Stability Control (TCS)

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Airbag Warning

Automatic Shift Lock

Washer Fluid

Security Indicator

Seat Belt Reminder

Expert Q&A

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• ↑ https://www.cars.com/articles/why-is-the-battery-light-on-1420663031640/
• ↑ https://www.torquenews.com/14093/car-battery-maintenance-testing-and-replacment-ultimate-guide
• ↑ https://www.theautodoc.net/blog/what-does-a-blue-engine-coolant-temperature-light-indicate
• ↑ https://www.mazdausa.com/static/manuals/2017/mazda6/contents/05020103.html
• ↑ https://www.griffithfordseguin.com/coolant-system-service
• ↑ https://www.carparts.com/blog/what-does-the-transmission-warning-light-mean-common-causes/
• ↑ https://mycarmakesnoise.com/transmission/what-transmission-temperature-is-considered-normal/
• ↑ https://www.repairsmith.com/blog/oil-light/
• ↑ https://www.repairsmith.com/blog/brake-system-warning-light/
• ↑ https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/traction-control/
• ↑ https://www.thedrive.com/maintenance-repair/36753/tpms-light
• ↑ https://www.repairsmith.com/blog/airbag-light/
• ↑ https://repairpal.com/supplemental-restraint-system-srs-warning-light
• ↑ https://www.motortrend.com/features/car-warning-lights-explained/?slide=1
• ↑ https://bryansgarage.com/what-does-lamp-out-mean/
• ↑ https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a27034088/how-to-change-headlight/
• ↑ https://www.repairsmith.com/blog/car-wont-shift-out-of-park/
• ↑ https://www.repairsmith.com/blog/car-wont-shift-out-of-park
• ↑ https://www.kia.com/content/dam/kwcms/kme/uk/en/assets/static/owners/service-maintenance/Kia_Dashboard_Warning_Lights.pdf
• ↑ https://repairpal.com/door-ajar-warning-light
• ↑ https://www.minit-tune.com/blog/4-ways-running-on-empty-can-harm-your-vehicle
• ↑ https://cargroot.com/security-indicator-light/

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Car Care Tips

Tips to keep your car on the road.

What All the Symbols on Your Car’s Dashboard Mean

We’ve all been there: You’re driving along, enjoying the views, and all of a sudden you hear a beep—you look down, and a symbol has appeared on your dashboard. You start to wonder what could be wrong with your car.

Some symbols on your car’s dashboard are easier to figure out than others. However, it’s important to know exactly what these warning lights mean in case you need to pull over and call for help.

Types of Car Dashboard Symbols

Not every symbol that appears on your dashboard is a warning light. Some have to do with vehicle features (like lights and cruise control) or safety (like blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warnings) or mechanical issues (like low tire pressure and engine temperature warnings).

When it comes to dashboard lights, colors matter! Green or blue lights simply let you know that a system is on or operating. Orange/yellow warning lights generally signify that your vehicle needs to be serviced or repaired soon. These warnings are less urgent than if you have a red and/or flashing light.

A red light means that you should take action immediately! Some red dashboard lights are safety warnings (like a seat belt reminder) and others are mechanical (like the engine overheating). If a red mechanical light appears, pull over as soon as possible and figure out what’s going on. Your vehicle will likely stop working or become damaged if you continue to drive.

As you read through this list, here are two things to keep in mind:

1. Every car is different, so the symbols on your dashboard may vary slightly from the ones on our list. If in doubt, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual! 2. Many of these dashboard lights will illuminate briefly when you turn on your vehicle and performs a system check. As long as the lights turn off within a few seconds, everything is operating normally.

18 Common Warning Lights on Your Car’s Dashboard 

1. Oil Pressure Warning Light 2. Tire Pressure Warning Light 3. Engine Temperature Warning Light 4. Traction Control Alert Light 5. Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light 6. Traction Control Malfunction Light 7. Engine Warning Light (Check Engine Light) 8. Battery Alert Light 9. Low Fuel Indicator Light 10. Automatic Shift Lock or Engine Start Indicator Light 11. Seat Belt Reminder Light 12. Airbag Warning Light 13. Security Indicator Light 14. Fog Lamp Indicator Light 15. Washer Fluid Indicator Light 16. Brake Warning Light 17. Lane Departure Warning Light 18. Transmission Temperature Warning Light

1. Oil Pressure Warning Light

What It Means: This old-fashioned oil can symbol indicates that there is an issue with your car’s oil pressure system. Either you’re running low on oil or your oil pump isn’t circulating enough fluid to properly lubricate the surfaces inside your engine. (NOTE: Some car dashboards will display the word “OIL” instead of this symbol.)

What To Do: Poor engine lubrication can cause major engine damage, so this is an important warning to pay attention to! Pull over as soon as it is safe, turn off the vehicle, and check the oil! Look around the engine bay for obvious oil leaks, and then pull out the oil dipstick to check the fluid level.

If the oil level is low, then the light may go off when you add oil. If it has enough oil but the engine is running noisy, it might an issue with the oil pump. If the oil level is okay and the engine is running smoothly, your oil pressure sensor may be malfunctioning. In any case, it’s important to bring your vehicle in ASAP to let a mechanic take a look and address whatever is causing the low oil/low oil pressure.

Read: How Long Can You Go Without an Oil Change?

2. Tire Pressure Warning Light

What It Means: Also known as the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) symbol, this image signals an issue with your tire pressure or the TPMS.

If the TPMS symbol is solid , then the pressure in one or more of your tires is too low or too high. If the TPMS symbol flashes for 60-90 seconds when you turn on your vehicle and then stays illuminated, even if your tires are properly inflated, then something is wrong with your TPMS sensors .

What To Do: Driving on low- or high-pressure tires is unsafe and can cause damage to your tires. We recommend stopping as soon as possible to inflate or deflate your tires to the correct pressure .

If your light turns on when you’re near a Virginia Tire & Auto , drop on by! We have free air available at all our stores, or one of our team members can repair or replace your tire in no time.

We can also look at your TPMS sensors to find any issues and provide a quote for repair. A malfunctioning TPMS will not affect your tires’ performance, but it will keep the system from alerting you when your tires are low.

Read: My TPMS Light Is On: What Does It Mean?

3. Engine Temperature Warning Light

What It Means: If you see this symbol pop up, it means that your engine is overheating. This most likely has to do with your coolant (also called antifreeze), but it can happen for a variety of reasons.

What To Do: First, try turning off the A/C and turning the heater on to redistribute heat to the passenger compartment. If that doesn’t work after a couple of minutes, pull over as soon as it is safe and turn off the vehicle. Allow the engine to cool for at least 15 minutes, and do not pop the hood! Opening the hood while the engine is hot could result in burns/injuries from spewing steam or smoke.

While you wait for the car to cool down, you should figure out a plan for what to do next. It’s a good time to call a roadside assistance service to get your coolant topped off or to get a tow to a nearby repair shop.

(All Virginia Tire & Auto car care services come with 365 days of complimentary Roadside Assistance coverage of up to $200.)

Read: What Happens When a Car Overheats?

4. Traction Control Light

What It Means: This car symbol indicates that your vehicle’s traction control system is activated. The traction control system uses your anti-lock brake system (ABS) to determine if one wheel is spinning faster than the others. If it detects that a wheel is slipping, it applies the brakes until the car regains traction. This is most helpful if you’re driving in rain or snow.

What To Do: Continue driving, but be aware of slippery conditions.

5. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Warning Light

What It Means: When you brake hard, like on slick roads, the ABS pulses the brakes to prevent your wheels from locking up. If the ABS warning light is illuminated, it means that something is wrong with the system.

What To Do: Since this is such an important safety feature, it’s important to have a mechanic diagnose the issue as soon as possible.

Read: How Does the Anti-Lock Braking System Work?

6. Traction Control Malfunction Light

What It Means: This light indicates that your vehicle’s traction control system might have a broken or damaged sensor or some other malfunction.  In some cars, the same control module operates the ABS and the traction control system, so sometimes this dashboard light comes on when there are problems with your ABS.

What To Do: While this won’t affect your everyday driving, you should get it checked soon to make sure your vehicle will operate safely in inclement conditions.

7. Engine Warning Light (Check Engine Light)

What It Means: Your check engine light may appear for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is triggered by an open, loose or cracked gas cap, which causes fuel to evaporate. But sometimes it indicates a serious issue, like low oil pressure or overheating! (NOTE: Some car dashboards will display the words “CHECK ENGINE” instead of this symbol.)

What To Do: If you haven’t noticed a change in the way the car drives and you don’t notice any unusual sounds or smells, you can continue driving a moderate distance (preferably back home or to your local Virginia Tire & Auto).

If the check engine light is red and/or flashing, you should stop driving immediately! In most vehicles, a flashing check engine light signals that you have a major problem that could cause serious damage to your engine if you ignore it.

In either case, make sure to get the light checked and the problem repaired as soon as possible.

Read: Is It Safe to Drive Your Car With the Check Engine Light On?

8. Battery Alert Light

What It Means: This light signifies a problem with the vehicle’s charging system. Possible culprits include a loose or damaged battery cable, a bad alternator, or another electrical fault. You may notice your clock light fading or your headlights dimming. Or, in some cases, your car may not start at all.

What To Do: Our experts can help diagnose any battery-related or electrical issues , and if you need a new battery, we offer America’s No. 1 battery replacement—Interstate Batteries. Don’t wait too long to get it checked out or you may have to jump-start your car to get it to the shop!

Read: Why Won’t My Car Start? Troubleshooting the Electrical System

9. Low Fuel Indicator Light

What It Means: You’re likely familiar with this dashboard light (maybe a little too familiar!). It simply means your vehicle is running low on fuel.

What To Do: If you still have a ways to go, don’t push your luck! You never know how weather or traffic patterns will play out, so it’s best to stop at the nearest gas station and fill up.

Bonus tip: Most vehicles have a triangle-shaped arrow next to the gas pump icon on your fuel gauge. This arrow indicates which side of the vehicle the fuel tank is on!

10. Automatic Shift Lock or Engine Start Indicator Light

What It Means: If you see this dashboard symbol, you’re most likely trying to shift gears or start your ignition without engaging the brake. The automatic shift lock will lock your vehicle in park or neutral until you engage the brake.

What To Do: Press the brake pedal, then shift gears or start the ignition, whichever you are wanting to do.

11. Seat Belt Reminder Light

What It Means: This car light simply reminds you or your passenger to fasten your seatbelts. It is usually accompanied by a repetitive dinging noise.

What To Do: Buckle up! According to the CDC , seat belts decrease serious crash-related injuries by about 50%.

12. Airbag Indicator Light

What It Means: The airbag warning light signals that something is wrong with one of your airbags or the entire airbag system.

What To Do: You should get your car checked out immediately! Your car’s airbags keep you safe during accidents, so it’s important to make sure they are working properly.

13. Security Indicator Light

What It Means: If your vehicle has an anti-theft system, then this symbol will blink steadily when the security system is armed. If it is solid and the car will not start, then the immobilization system has activated due to a security threat or malfunction. If it is solid and the car is running normally, then the security system is malfunctioning and needs to be fixed.

What To Do: If the vehicle is immobilized, follow your vehicle’s guidelines for how to deactivate the security system. If it’s a malfunction, your security system will not work correctly until you have it repaired.

14. Fog Lamp Indicator Light

What It Means: This symbol shows that your fog lights are on.

What To Do: Fog lights should only be used if your visibility is less than 100 yards. If you turn them on unnecessarily, they can make it difficult for other drivers on the road to see.

15. Washer Fluid Indicator Light

What It Means: Imitating the motion of your windshield wipers, this dashboard symbol means that you’re low on windshield washer fluid.

What To Do: Fill up the reservoir with fluid as soon as you can.

16. Brake Warning Light

What It Means: If you see this symbol on your dashboard or the word “BRAKE” in red, then either the parking brake is engaged or there’s a problem with your braking system.

What To Do: First, stop and check to see if your parking brake is engaged. Try setting and releasing the brake while your vehicle is in park. If the light is still on even when the parking brake is unengaged, have your car towed to the nearest Virginia Tire & Auto for service.

17. Lane Departure Warning Light

What It Means: Most cars produced today come with a lane departure warning safety feature. It activates this light on your dashboard and makes a beeping noise when it detects that your vehicle is drifting out of your lane.

What To Do: Correct your steering, if needed. (The light may come on when you are purposefully changing lanes.)

18. Transmission Temperature Warning Light

What It Means: If this symbol appears on your dashboard, it means that your transmission is overheating. This could be caused by low transmission fluid, worn transmission parts, heavy towing or something else.

What To Do: Pull over as soon as it’s safe and turn off the vehicle. Wait for the vehicle to cool down before attempting to drive again and get to a repair shop as soon as possible. If the light won’t go off and you have a ways to go, it’s best to call for a tow.

Car Trouble?

Whether you need a simple oil change or a more serious repair, bring your vehicle to Virginia Tire & Auto. Our expert technicians will diagnose and repair the issue so you can get back on the road safely. Schedule a visit at one of our 17 locations today !

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A Complete Guide to Warning Lights on Your Car Dashboard

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We live in a world rife with symbolism, from traffic lights and store signs all the way through to dashboard lights and hand gestures. The meaning behind these symbols is something we often learn over time but, occasionally, we need a little help with the finer details. It might sound like a drag to read through your user manual when all you really want to do is get behind the wheel of your new car and go for a drive. However, the warning lights on your car dashboard are there for a reason, and understanding car dashboard symbols and their meanings could be the difference between an enjoyable ride and a gut-wrenching breakdown.

Car Dash Symbols and Their Meaning

While all vehicles differ slightly, most share a common set of dashboard symbols and signals. dash These lights on the car dash are categorized by their color - blue or green simply displays that the feature is active; yellow or orange cautions drivers that a system needs checking soon; and red car dash symbols warn that something is critically wrong.

Here is a list of all the common car dashboard warning lights, their meaning, and a visual aid:

Engine Temperature Warning

One of the more critical vehicle warning lights, this symbol will usually only light up after you have been driving for some time. While the immediate concern is simply the temperature, the actual cause could be any number of factors. These include low engine coolant levels, a leaky radiator, clogged pipes, or even a blown gasket. Regardless of the cause, it is imperative that you safely pull over at the earliest opportunity and turn the vehicle off. Continuing on while this warning is displayed could lead to a catastrophic failure of the engine and permanent damage. If you can't figure out the problem, you should get to a workshop as soon as possible. If there are none nearby, rather call a tow service than try to get there on your own.

Check Engine Warning

As one of the yellow dash indicator lights, this warning is not as critical as the aforementioned one. However, no potential problem with the engine should ever go overlooked for long. Even if it is simply a fault with the sensor or car panel lights, you should get to a mechanic at your earliest convenience. Engine damage can lead to hefty repair or replacement bills.

Glow Plug Warning

This is one of the lesser-known dashboard warning symbols, since it is only found on diesel vehicles. The engines found in these cars rely on different mechanics, including glow plugs, which are used to regulate temperature and pressure. If left unchecked, a problem with the glow plugs can lead to early/late combustions, which manifests as a rough engine sound and a drop in fuel efficiency.

Diesel Particulate Filter Warning

The DPF is another of those niche symbols that are found only on diesel-powered vehicles. It signifies a problem with the filter, which may be blocked or damaged. This leads to billows of smoke from the exhaust, but can also cause engine damage if left unchecked.

Battery Charge Warning

While this is technically one of the critical red car indicator lights, it does not require instantaneous shutdown of the vehicle. In fact, that may lead to more trouble. Instead, you should turn off all unnecessary electronics, such as your stereo or air conditioning. This is because the engine and alternator are not functioning properly to recharge the battery, and any additional drain could leave you stranded the next time you try to turn the ignition. Unfortunately, many essential safety and driver-assistance systems also need power and may not get enough no matter what you do. You should make sure to come to a stop at a gas station or somewhere that you may be able to get a jumpstart in the event that your battery is dead.

Power steering warning

A problem with the power steering may stem from either mechanical or electrical sources. Naturally, this light only appears on vehicles equipped with such a system, but that includes most modern cars produced in the USA. You'll notice that the steering wheel feels a lot heavier than usual, since the failing system actually works against you. It is advised that you pull over as soon as possible. It may simply be that your power steering fluid needs refilling, especially if it has sprung a leak, but you may need professional help, too.

Oil pressure warning

Automobiles rely on a careful balance of multiple liquids to keep all the parts working, and problems with any of them can be serious. This light rears its ugly head when the oil pump isn't creating enough pressure. Common causes include a leak or fault pump, as well as low oil levels (which is why you should your motor oil levels regularly - read here for an easy 'how to' guide). The latter is easy to fix - simply top up the oil. However, if the problem persists, consult your handbook or seek a mechanic's help.

Brake system warning

Another critical system, improperly functioning brakes can cause serious problems. If you're lucky, the issue may simply be that you forgot to disengage the parking brake before heading off. However, it could also be that your brake fluid is low or that the brake pads are worn to the point where they no longer function reliably. Alternatively, it could be something more complicated. The best thing to do is call roadside assistance or a tow, since driving is inadvisable. Let the professionals help you out.

Door/trunk/hood warning

While it may not sound overly critical that your doors are not properly sealed or that you left your trunk open, it can be very dangerous, especially for other motorists or pedestrians. You certainly wouldn't want your passenger door to swing open when you come to a stop and slam into a cyclist. Normally, you can tell if one of these hatches is open, but sometimes it is simply a case of them being slightly loose. Often this also means interior lights remain on, and over time, will drain the battery. In any event, you should definitely recheck all hatches are closed before getting underway, or leaving your car.

Seatbelt warning

This may not seem like a "red" issue, but making sure your seatbelt is properly fastened before driving can actually be the difference between life and death. It doesn't matter if you plan to drive 100 miles or 10 meters. Almost all modern cars include this sensor, and many also add an audible alert. In some cases, the sound becomes increasingly aggravating to the point where it is simply easier to do as you are told.

Tire pressure sensor warning

Though it is a less critical alert, the TPMS should not go ignored for long. As tire pressure drops, handling decreases and braking becomes less controlled. Generally, the light does not turn red in the event of a major pressure decrease, so there is no way to tell if it is safe to drive without risking a major blowout. You should either pull over and check the pressure yourself, if you have a kit, or else find a gas station to inflate the tires in question and patch any leaks.

Traction-control warning

Another seemingly innocuous warning, this symbol lights up when the tires are not gripping the road as well as they should. Most commonly, this will occur during rainy or snowy weather conditions. More confident and adventurous drivers may choose to deactivate the built-in traction system in their cars, in which case, the light can be ignored. However, if you haven't done so and the light continues to show, it means you should get the system checked, since it is not working correctly, if at all.

Low fuel warning

A symbol we all dread, especially on a long road trip or when your wallets are especially light, this ominous yellow indicator simply lets you know when your fuel tank is running low. Needless to say, you shouldn't ignore it for too long, unless you enjoy long hikes with a fuel canister in hand. Most modern cars will give you more than enough warning to find a gas station, but if it's been on for a while, you better not dally! After all, breaking down due to driver negligence is a finable offense, and you certainly won't need the extra cost.

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• Essential Car Knowledge

Dashboard Warning Lights Guide

If you see a warning light on your dashboard (or touch screen, or the car’s smartphone app...) that means something went wrong. But some warning lights are more intuitive than others, especially those that have been around for a long time.

New cars are more complicated than most of us would have imagined just a decade or two ago, and they’re changing every year, with bigger screens, more efficient powertrains and more technological integration. As more cars incorporate electrification and semi-autonomous driving advancements, traditional instrument lights and warnings will increasingly go by the wayside as new ones take their place, but it’s still important to know what they all mean.

Any new car on a dealer lot today, even the most basic, likely has an advanced safety system that consists of cameras and sensors tied into the car’s main computer network, though the complexity varies based on the car’s level of safety tech and driver-assistance technology. Combine that with a central infotainment system controlling a lot of the car’s functions, and any minor problem can turn into a major one.

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A warning light on the dashboard or instrument cluster (or infotainment display, or smartphone app) means something went wrong. Some are more intuitive than others, even though the methodology and design of warning lights has stayed fairly consistent over the years.

A red light indicates a major problem or failure, and you should prepare to stop as soon as it’s safe to do so. A yellow or amber light calls your attention to a condition you should be aware of, such as the traction control system activating on a wet or slippery surface. A green, blue or white light means you’re using a feature, like the headlights or a particular safety feature.

Let’s take a look at these lights, keeping in mind that they may vary somewhat. If you aren’t familiar with the lights in your car, this is a good primer, but always have your owner’s manual at the ready.

Check Engine Light

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The check engine light, or CEL for short, is one of the most common dashboard warning lights but also one of the least specific. That’s because the check engine light warns of any engine-related issue. This can include something as simple as a loose gas cap (which may have a warning light of its own), or a more serious issue like a misfire, knocking or a loss of compression, which could result in premature engine wear or failure, which may leave you stranded and will be expensive to fix.

Protect Your Vehicle from Unexpected Repairs

The check engine light can be red or amber, and it typically features the outline of an engine, the words "service engine soon" or simply "check engine" in bold letters. Some owner’s manuals also refer to it as the malfunction indicator light, or MIL.

It is completely normal for the check engine light to illuminate momentarily when turning the key in the ignition, but it should disappear as soon as the vehicle is running. If not, the system is detecting an issue. Due to the potential for severe engine damage, we don’t recommend driving your vehicle if the check engine light is on. Call for a tow truck and have a repair shop diagnose and fix the issue.

Engine Coolant Temperature Light

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The engine temperature light features a red thermometer. When illuminated, it indicates that the engine is overheating. This is a serious problem and it can result in catastrophic engine damage, so if you see this warning light, you should always pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so and turn off your vehicle. There are a number of issues that can cause the engine to overheat, such as a broken water pump, a stuck thermostat, a leak in the radiator or in one of the coolant hoses or a blown head gasket.

Transmission Fluid Temperature Light

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The transmission temperature light is often depicted as a yellow or red thermometer surrounded by a gear, or with the words "AT OIL TEMP." When illuminated, this light indicates that the transmission is overheating. As before, you should stop and turn off your vehicle when it’s safe to do so if you see this warning light. Common reasons for an overheating transmission include low fluid levels, worn internal components, high mileage or extended periods of heavy towing.

Engine Oil Pressure Light

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The engine oil pressure light is typically depicted as a red oil can, and it signifies that oil is not circulating properly through the engine. This is a major issue because insufficient oil pressure can cause an engine to wear prematurely or even seize up, and it’s another light that means you should pull over and turn off the vehicle as soon as you can. Common reasons for low oil pressure include low oil levels, a worn oil pump and other worn internal components. It’s a good idea to check the engine oil level regularly and change the oil at the manufacturer-specified intervals.

Engine Oil Change Light

The oil change light does exactly what you’d expect: it indicates when the engine oil should be changed, based on mileage driven. Most modern vehicles require synthetic oil, which has allowed automakers to stretch oil change intervals from the traditional 3,000-mile limit to anywhere from 5,000 to 15,000 miles in some cases. You may see this indicator displayed as text instead of as a light, such as "Service Engine Soon" or "Oil Change Required." Some automakers refer to this feature as the oil life indicator as well.

Battery Warning Light

The battery indicator light is red and it features the outline of a battery with plus and minus symbols. When illuminated, this light indicates that the vehicle’s charging system isn’t functioning properly. The battery could be the issue, but the cause could also be a loose or corroded battery cable, a worn alternator, a broken accessory belt or another electrical fault in the system.

It’s completely normal to see this light turn on and then off when starting your vehicle. If the light turns on while you’re driving, though, you should pull over and stop as soon as it’s safe to do so. Otherwise, the engine will stall once the battery is completely drained, which may only take a few minutes.

EVs also have battery warning lights. A battery symbol with a lightning bolt means the battery’s charge level is low (this may also appear in plug-in hybrid vehicles) and a battery symbol with a temperature gauge means the battery is running hot, and the car should be pulled over and shut off as soon as it is safe to do so.

Tire Pressure Warning Light

The tire pressure warning light is depicted as a yellow tire with an exclamation point in the middle. This warning light signifies that one of the vehicle’s tires is underinflated, and – in some modern vehicles – it can show the pressure of all four tires and indicate which is low.

The tire pressure monitoring system (or TPMS) is responsible for activating this light. If it turns on while you’re driving, you should pull over and stop as soon as possible. Driving with a flat or underinflated tire is unsafe, as it can drastically alter the vehicle’s handling. Call for a tow truck if any tire is flat, or change the tire if your vehicle is equipped with a spare. If the tires are all still inflated, you should drive to the closest service station to check the pressures and add air if necessary.

Common reasons for this light to turn on include a puncture, a faulty tire pressure sensor or gradual loss of pressure due to seasonal temperature changes.

Reduced Engine Power Light

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Modern vehicles are equipped with a fail-safe system, or limp mode, that limits engine performance if a major fault is detected. This setup is designed to protect the engine, transmission and other driveline components from damage. The system triggers the engine light to turn on, and – in some vehicles – a "reduced engine power" readout may also illuminate.

While the vehicle may still be drivable, it’s best to pull over and stop due to the potential for damage. A faulty throttle position sensor is one of the most common reasons for this light to turn on.

Brake Warning Lights

The brake warning light features a red circle with an exclamation point or "P" in the middle, or simply the text "BRAKE." When illuminated, this light can indicate such things as routine notifications that your parking brake is engaged to warnings that there's a fault in your braking system, such as a failing master cylinder. If you unexpectedly have a brake warning light come on, first pull off the road, then set and release your parking brake. If the light does not turn off, it's time to call a tow truck before the system fully fails or more damage occurs.

It could be something as simple as a sticky parking brake, low brake fluid or worn brake pads. More serious issues, including problems with the master cylinder or the computers that handle your car's braking system, may be the culprit.

ABS Warning Light

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The ABS light features a yellow or red circle with the letters "ABS" in the center, and it illuminates when a problem is detected with the anti-lock braking system or when the system is active. Generally, if it's flashing while you're braking, the system is functioning as intended. If it's on constantly, there's a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

ABS improves braking performance on slippery roads by pulsing the brakes to prevent the wheels from locking up and skidding. The brakes should still function if this light comes on while driving, but emergency braking performance may be reduced. If you notice any changes to your braking response or pressure when this light comes on, pull over and stop. Common causes for this light to turn on include a faulty wheel speed sensor or an issue with the ABS controller.

Traction Control Warning Light

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The traction control system works hand in hand with the anti-lock braking system. It selectively applies the brakes to limit the wheels from slipping during acceleration, and it often engages when driving on icy and snowy roads, wet pavement, sand and gravel. The yellow traction control light – a car with two squiggly lines underneath – illuminates momentarily when the system is intervening. If the light stays on, however, that means there is a problem with the system and it may not operate properly. A faulty wheel speed sensor is one of the most common reasons for this light to turn on.

Stability Control Warning Light

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Electronic stability control, or ESC, is another aspect of the anti-lock braking system. Stability control works to keep the vehicle heading in its intended direction. It does this by monitoring wheel speed and steering inputs, and then applying the brakes as necessary to prevent sliding or spinning. Some vehicles have a dedicated "ESC" or "VSC" warning light that illuminates when the system is engaging and stays lit if there is a fault, but many vehicles don’t. In those instances, the traction control warning light turns on instead.

Power Steering Warning Light

The power steering light features a red or yellow steering wheel icon, often with an exclamation point on the side. It illuminates when a problem is detected with the steering. If your vehicle is equipped with electric power steering (EPS), you’ll need to take it to a mechanic to get the issue diagnosed. If the car has hydraulic power steering, however, the light often means that the power steering fluid reservoir is low. Top it off and keep an eye out for leaks. Schedule a service appointment if this doesn’t fix the issue.

It is not safe to drive the vehicle if this light comes on, even if you don’t notice any problems right away, because a gradual or sudden lack of power steering assistance will make the car much harder to maneuver.

Airbag Warning Light

An illuminated airbag light indicates that there is a fault with the vehicle’s airbag system, which is often referred to as the supplemental restraint system (SRS). This indicator light typically features a red airbag icon, though in some vehicles it is replaced by "SRS" or "AIR BAG" text.

You should not drive your vehicle if this light turns on, because it means that the airbags may not deploy in the event of a crash and the seat-belt pretensioners may not tighten appropriately. Have a qualified repair shop diagnose and fix this problem.

Seatbelt Warning Light

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The seat-belt light does exactly what you’d expect: it features the outline of a person wearing a seat belt, and it stays illuminated until the driver of the vehicle buckles up. Some vehicles also monitor the front passenger seat with weight sensors in the seat that communicate with the car’s computer. If all occupants have buckled up and the light doesn’t turn off, this may mean there is a problem with the belt buckle sensor or one of the pressure sensors under the seat.

Automatic Shift Lock Light

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Modern automatic transmissions are equipped with a shift interlock, which prevents the vehicle from shifting out of park until the driver has pressed the brake pedal. In some vehicles, it can also prevent the engine from starting. This reduces the risk of the vehicle rolling away if the gear selector is pushed accidentally. The shift lock light features a green foot within a circle, and it turns on to show when the system is active.

Low Fuel Warning Light

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The low fuel light features an amber or red gas pump, and it illuminates when the fuel tank is almost out of gasoline or diesel fuel, depending on the type of vehicle. The fuel level required to trigger this warning light can vary from vehicle to vehicle, but it often indicates about one to two gallons of fuel remaining. Additionally, this light may turn on if the gas cap is loose.

Washer Fluid Warning Light

The washer fluid light illuminates when a low level of windshield washer fluid is detected. This indicator light is typically yellow and it features a windshield icon. The same symbol is located on the cap of the washer fluid reservoir, so you can easily tell where to add the fluid. Most vehicles only have one washer fluid reservoir, even if there are rear windshield wipers with washers, and it’s usually found under the hood. In cars with rear washers, the washer fluid reservoir typically has a separate pump and hose that moves fluid to the rear glass.

Engine Stop-Start Light

Many modern vehicles are equipped with automatic stop-start systems that are designed to save fuel in stop-and-go city driving. These systems can shut the engine off when the vehicle is slowing to a stop and quickly turn the engine back on once the brake pedal is released. This reduces the amount of time the engine is idling when sitting in traffic.

The engine stop-start light is typically an "A" surrounded by a circular arrow, and it can indicate a few different things. It may illuminate in a green or blue color to show that the system is active, or in an amber color to show that the system has been disabled. An exclamation point next to this icon usually indicates a fault with the stop-start system.

Security Light

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The security light may turn on for a few reasons. It may illuminate and disable the ignition system if the incorrect key is inserted. The light may indicate a fault with the ignition if it illuminates while driving. The most common reason is to deter thieves. When the vehicle is parked and locked, it’s typical for the light to blink occasionally to indicate that the alarm system is armed. The design of this indicator light can vary, but it usually features the outline of a car with either a key or a padlock icon.

Glow Plug Light

Diesel engines are equipped with glow plugs, which are designed to heat up the combustion chamber and assist with starting the engine when it’s cold. It takes a few seconds for glow plugs to sufficiently warm up the engine air temperature, and they shut off once it is hot enough.

The amber glow plug light – a squiggle with two loops – illuminates to show that the glow plugs are warming up. The light turns off once the engine is ready to start. If the glow plug light blinks or remains on, it indicates that there may be a problem with this system and the vehicle may be difficult to start.

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In addition to glow plugs, diesel vehicles are also equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), which collects engine soot and ash as it travels through the exhaust. This filter improves emissions and reduces the amount of smoke coming from the tailpipe; however, it can become clogged over time.

The DPF light illuminates when the filter is blocked and requires cleaning or replacement. This warning light is usually amber in color, and the design often features a box filled with small circles or a puff of smoke passing through a line of circles.

U.S. News & World Report | John M. Vincent

The diesel exhaust fluid light, or DEF light, is the third warning light that diesel vehicle owners should be aware of. This light looks very similar to the DPF light with the addition of two droplets to symbolize the fluid. The light turns on when a low level of diesel exhaust fluid is detected, often followed by text warnings to refill the DEF reservoir. This fluid is a mixture of urea and deionized water that is injected into the exhaust system to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. Another common name for DEF is AdBlue.

You should refill the DEF tank as soon as possible when this light turns on. Otherwise, the engine could enter a reduced-power mode or stop altogether if the tank is fully empty.

Cruise Control Light

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The cruise control light typically features a speedometer icon, and it can indicate a few different things depending on the color. Green often means that the cruise control has been set. An amber or yellow light can indicate that cruise control is enabled but not set, or that there is a problem with the system. Refer to your owner’s manual for specific information about the cruise control system in your vehicle.

Adaptive Cruise Control Light

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Adaptive cruise control uses forward-facing cameras and sensors to maintain a set cruising speed and distance to the car ahead. When engaged, adaptive cruise control can slow the vehicle if the car ahead begins to slow. Conversely, it can return the vehicle to the desired cruising speed if the car ahead accelerates or merges into another lane.

There are a few common dashboard lights related to the adaptive cruise control system. You may see text that reads "ACC," a speedometer icon with a car behind it, or a car with waves in front of it. These lights typically indicate that the system is enabled. A series of bars between two vehicle icons usually indicates the desired following distance to other cars. Refer to your owner’s manual for additional information about this system.

Forward Collision Warning Indicator

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If your car is equipped with forward collision warning, this light will let you know that the car needs your attention. When your car's forward-collision warning system senses that you're closing on the vehicle ahead of you too fast, you'll see a dramatic flashing red or amber light screaming "Brake." You'll need to immediately brake to avoid a collision or reduce the severity of an inevitable crash. An audible warning usually accompanies the flashing light.

Lane-Departure Warning Light

As its name suggests, the lane-departure warning system alerts the driver if the vehicle is drifting out of its lane. Common alert methods include "LDW" or "LDA" warning lights, a symbol of a car veering out of a lane, audible beeping and – if bundled with lane keep assist – a tug at the steering wheel to correct the vehicle’s path.

Parking Assist Light

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If your vehicle is equipped with parking sensors, you might see a warning light with a "P" and a triangle separated by waves. This symbol may also be accompanied by audible beeping or a bird’s eye view of the vehicle. It indicates that either the front or rear bumpers are in close proximity to an object, but it may also indicate a potential issue with this system. Refer to your owner’s manual for additional info.

Blind-Spot Monitoring Light

Blind-spot monitoring systems use sensors at the sides and rear of the vehicle to detect other cars that may be obstructed by the driver’s field of view. These systems typically alert the driver by illuminating an icon – two staggered cars separated by waves – in the side mirror on the side of the approaching vehicle. You may also see "BSM" or "BLIS" lights on the dashboard. These lights can indicate that the system is operating, but they can also indicate a potential issue. Again, refer to your owner’s manual for more detailed information.

Drowsiness Monitoring Light

Mercedes-Benz USA

Driver-attention monitoring systems use a number of sensors to detect if the driver is paying attention to the road. Most systems look for telltale signs like constant steering wheel corrections and extended driving distances without a break, but some advanced systems can also monitor eye movements. These systems typically alert the driver by flashing a coffee cup symbol on the dashboard, as well an "attention assist" or "time for a break" message.

Master Warning Light

Master caution warning lights, common to high-performance aircraft, are finding their way into today's cars and trucks . The master warning light (or instrument panel message) tells you to check other systems for issues. For example, it may illuminate to tell you to check your tire pressure monitoring system or the vehicle's maintenance status. In some cars, it will remain illuminated until the underlying issue is corrected.

Fog Lamp Indicator

The fog lamp indicator lets you know if your fog lamps are on or off. If it's illuminated, they're on; if not, they're off. In most states, driving with your fog lights on is unlawful while traffic is approaching from the other direction.

Gearbox Warning

A gearbox warning is similar to a transmission fluid temperature warning light and sometimes shares the same spot on the dashboard. It indicates a fault in the transmission or components. Its illumination can be caused by something as simple as low transmission fluid or a mechanical problem that's much more serious. Ignoring a gearbox or transmission warning light can lead to potentially expensive repairs or a failure while in traffic.

Gas Cap Indicator

Most cars don't have a gas cap indicator light, but the first step in investigating a check engine light is ensuring the gas cap is present and properly tightened. A leading cause of check engine lights is a loose or missing fuel cap.

Some, but certainly not all, cars will alert you if your fuel door is open. Most electric vehicles will tell you if the charging port door is open.

High-beam Headlight Indicator

A basic high-beam headlight indicator will light up blue when the high-beam headlights are on and turn off when you switch back to your low-beam headlights.

Automatic High-Beam Headlight Indicator

In newer cars with automatic high-beam headlights, there will typically be an "A" next to the high-beam headlight indicator to show that the automatic high-beams are active. In many vehicles, the icon will change from white to blue when the automatic system switches from low to high beams.

Door/Trunk/Hood Open Warning

Most vehicles on the road today have dashboard warnings that let you know if you have a door, trunk, hatch or hood ajar. Some let you know which one it is, while others let you sleuth it out yourself. It's a good idea to check any opening that triggers a warning, even if you think it's closed, because it may not be fully latched.

In some cars, the warning is a simple icon. In others, it's a high-definition image of the vehicle with the relevant area illuminated.

Electric Vehicle Dashboard Warnings

Electric vehicles have several dashboard warnings and displays that cars with internal combustion engines don't have. Some include charging status, range and time to charge. Since electric cars are nearly silent, a dash message or indicator will tell you when the vehicle is ready to move.

One of the most critical electric car indicator lights, as mentioned earlier, is a battery pack overheat warning. It's a signal to park the vehicle outside, as the battery cooling system may have failed. Another EV-specific light worth noting is a symbol of a car with an exclamation point. This indicates a fault somewhere in the car’s electrical system, and you should get the vehicle serviced immediately if it comes on.

ECO Driving Indicators

Two types of dashboard indicators indicate how economically you're driving. The first just notes when you've set your vehicle dynamics system to its Eco mode, limiting the car's performance to increase fuel efficiency. The second is an active indicator that monitors how you're driving and lets you know when you're driving in an economical manner. These systems may vary, particularly in cars that have more sophisticated Eco modes, and aren’t necessarily limited to EVs or hybrids .

Four-Wheel-Drive/All-Wheel-Drive Indicators

If your vehicle is equipped with four- or all-wheel drive, you'll have a few additional indicators on your dash. In vehicles with four-wheel drive, there will be an indicator that shows whether you're in two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive high range or (if equipped with a two-speed transfer case) four-wheel drive low range. There may be additional indicators for locking differentials, hill descent control and other systems specifically for four-wheel drive or off-road driving modes.

Vehicles with all-wheel drive will have an indicator that warns you if there's a fault with your drivetrain.

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WHAT DOES A BLUE ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE LIGHT INDICATE?

At one time or another, every car owner has noticed a light flashing on the dashboard and had no idea what it means or what is happening with his or her car. Well, while each of these lights points to specific issues, some are more crucial than others. All the same, knowing exactly what each light means will save you preventable downtimes as well as costly damages.

Also known as the Coolant Temperature Low Indication Light, the blue light on your dashboard indicates that coolant temperature is extremely low. Once you turn the ignition key, the warning light illuminates for one to two minutes (until the engine is at optimal operative temperature) then goes off automatically. If it's one of those chilly winter mornings, the engine might longer to warm up, and the light equally takes longer to go out. However, if the blue light does not go out even after startup, it might be a red flag that there is a problem with the coolant temperature or its fluid level.

IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE WHILE THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT IS ON?

While most car owners tend to ignore the blue light, they risk causing significant damage to the car engine. When this light comes on when you are driving, you should pull over immediately and contact a certified technician. They will run thorough diagnostics to identify the main problem then provide the necessary repair or maintenance services.

Remember that a low coolant level indicates a potential leak which a certified mechanic must address immediately. Otherwise, your engine will overheat, leading to major and irreversible damages, which are costly to repair. Once the light finally goes off, you should take your car on a test drive, as the warning light will automatically light up again if the problem has not been fixed.

If you are unsure of what a warning light appearing on your dashboard indicates, you can consult your car's owner manual. All the same, proper diagnostics from a professional technician will help you avoid unnecessary repairs. If you need vehicle service, we invite you to bring your vehicle to our auto repair shop today!

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What the Blue Engine Coolant Light Means

If you've ever glanced down at your dashboard in confusion at a little blue light upon starting your vehicle, we're here to tell you exactly what that little light is. It's your coolant temperature light, and its job is to indicate the temperature of your engine. When it's blue, that means your engine isn't quite at the operational driving temperature yet. In other words, the engine hasn't quite heated to the point where it's in optimum driving shape. For this reason, it's recommended that you wait until this little blue light turns off before you drive anywhere.

This engine coolant light turns another color you might've noticed, and that color is red! This light indicates that (you guessed it) your engine is too hot! If this light comes on, it's recommended you turn your engine off, or idle until the light goes back on. This light generally only comes on during warmer weather, but it can also make an appearance if you've been driving a lot, or hauling a large amount of equipment at high speeds. It's not necessarily a cause for concern, however, unless it turns on with seemingly no provocation, or doesn't turn off after a few minutes of no use.

Potential Issues

While you never know if a light staying on is a simple electrical issue causing the notification system to bug out or not, you should always take stock of the light staying on for long periods of time. If it remains blue and everything seems operational, then don't be too concerned. However, if the red light that indicates high engine temperatures comes up and doesn't go away, we'd recommend taking in your vehicle as soon as possible, as enhanced engine temperatures could signify all sorts of problems in an internal combustion engine. It's always better to err on the safe side, even if it's probably nothing.

If your engine coolant light has been giving you trouble, then we invite you to bring your vehicle into our auto repair shop! We'd be happy to answer any and all of the questions you might have.

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Blue light on dashboard — what you should know

Understand the hidden risks associated with blue dashboard lights in your car..

One thing you notice right away when you turn on a car is colored lights that glow on the dashboard , giving you information about different parts of the vehicle.

For most cars, lights on the dashboard may also indicate a problem, and the color of the light shows how intensive the issue is. For example, the red color usually means danger and severe component failure.

Amber lights and yellow usually denote a less severe problem or hazard. Green and white lights indicate a feature such as a cruise control or headlights is engaged.

On the other hand, the blue light on the dashboard often indicates that your vehicle is not at the operational driving temperature yet, and it is not a cause for worry. The blue light can also be your high beam headlight indicator. This article will explain why the blue light glows on the dashboard and when it should be a cause of concern.

Can you drive with a blue coolant light on?

The blue coolant light does not affect your car’s movement. However, it would be best to wait for it to disappear before moving the vehicle.

Your coolant light displaying blue means your vehicle is not at the right temperature for operations like movement. Waiting for the car to warm up first, causing the blue light to disappear, is the best action.

In some cases, your engine may freeze, making your car unable to start. For this scenario, the blue display from the coolant icon on your dashboard means that your antifreeze (coolant) is too cold. The low temperature of the coolant can cause your radiator to be too cold, resulting in your car being unable to start.

Suppose your car starts anyway, with the coolant icon displaying blue for too long; first, switch off the vehicle. Then, wait for the engine to get cold before checking your antifreeze levels. The coolant icon looks like a flag floating on water.

It is essential to be patient while waiting for your engine to cool before checking your antifreeze levels. Checking these levels at the wrong time after switching off a car can lead to a shower of scalding hot water on the face.

The blue coolant light (when prolonged) indicates low levels of coolant in the engine. If you do not address the situation, your engine will either overheat or seize up. The long-term consequence is permanent damage to the engine from overheating .

Therefore, if your blue coolant light stays on for too long while driving, it would be best to locate the nearest car repair shop to have an auto mechanic look into the case.

What can cause low levels of coolant?

Coolants are vital because they keep the engine from overheating. When you see a blue light on your dashboard, it indicates that you have low levels of coolant in your engine. There are various symptoms of low coolant , but only a few reasons behind them.

These are two major causes of low levels of coolant in an engine:

Leaks in the coolant system

The gradual dropping of coolant levels can happen due to leaks in the system. Leaks can occur on the hoses, radiator, or radiator cap.

Asides from the blue color on the dashboard serving as a warning sign, you can also tell if your cooling system is leaking through smell. Coolant oil has a sweet odor. Perceiving this sweet odor, plus an increase in the amount of gas you buy, should tell you that you have coolant leaking.

If you experience this, take your car to the auto mechanic for repairs to avoid spending more money on situations aggravated by this one.

Insufficient coolant top-up

Sometimes, low coolant levels are not because of leakage. Most drivers are ignorant about coolant top-ups and tend not to do it until something happens. An insufficient coolant level in your car will steady the blue light on your dashboard.

The time it takes for coolant levels to drop to the point that they are too low for use depends on the car manufacturer and your driving habits. Naturally, if you often drive long distances, you should have regular maintenance checks than the average worker who only takes a few miles to work and back every day. It is best to check your coolant levels twice a year – just before winter and summer.

These two season picks are because you need sufficient coolant to take you through the summer heat, while the winter cold may come off as misleading sometimes. It is easy to assume you do not have enough coolant in the winter because temperatures drop, and the car will need more warming up than usual. Therefore, ensuring you have the right amount of coolant before the winter hits will ensure you do not worry about the blue light on your dashboard.

It helps to have comprehensive maintenance checks at regular intervals if you are too busy to understand the technicalities of your car. Your auto mechanic will notice when you need a refill on time.

What other light can the coolant indicator show?

Asides from blue, the coolant indicator can also glow red. Red color indicators often infer that there is a problem somewhere.

When your coolant indicator gives off a red colored light, your engine is overheating at that point. Overheating can happen for many reasons and should be addressed as soon as possible.

If, when starting your car, the coolant light glows blue and then progresses to red after you have driven for some time, it is a sign that your coolant levels are too low. They are so low that they cannot function properly, leaving the engine to heat up without sufficient coolants to reduce its temperature.

You should stop driving when the coolant indicator turns red and wait for the engine to cool down . The next place your vehicle should be after that is the mechanic’s workshop. Continuous usage of a car that is overheating will induce and increase damage to the engine.

Damages from overheating vary, and repairs can cost more than they should if you do not arrest the situation on time. Overheating can even cost you your entire engine. So, if you see your coolant indicator showing blue and then red lights later, have it checked immediately and save yourself money and stress.

Another blue light you may see on the dashboard

Another blue light you will see on the dashboard is the headlight indicator. Most old cars do not have this feature, but all modern cars have it. It is a safety feature that most drivers are surprisingly not aware of.

Relying on high beam headlights alone is not advisable. They are very bright over long ranges, and using them puts you at risk of blinding other drivers, which can cause a minor accident. You also risk endangering yourself in adverse weather conditions as the high beams can cause a glare.

If the headlight indicator is blue, the high beam headlights are on, while green indicates that the low beam headlights are on. The high beam symbol has five horizontal lines vertically stacked to the left of a shape resembling headlights.

When should I use my headlights?

It would help if you only use your high beam headlights when you are more than twenty feet behind another vehicle, and no heavy rain, fog, or snow is present. In case you aren’t familiar with the low-beam vs high-beam discussion, activating high beams triggers a blue light on the dash.

They are best used at night when the weather is fair, and the roads are clear. In an urban area with many cars around, your high beam headlights may inconvenience other drivers. The low beam headlights will still enable you to see where you are going (though not as far as the high beam headlights would).

Some new models have a technology that moderates your headlights for you. The technology uses your environment and the weather to control the intensity of your beam, taking it high or low when needed. However, it is a relatively new technology, and until most production cars have it installed, it would be best if you are conscious of how you use your headlights.

The blue light on the dashboard is usually nothing to worry about, and you commonly see it on two icons – coolant and high beam indicators. Blue light from the coolant indicator shows that the coolant levels are low due to leaks or extended usage, while blue light from the high beam indicator shows that the high beam headlights are on.

While the blue color of high beam headlights is for your safety in bad weather and the safety of other drivers plying the road parallel to your direction, the blue coolant light concerns the car engine. In cold weather, blue light from the coolant indicator is not something to worry about. A persistent blue coolant light indicates a possible deficiency of coolant in the cooling system.

If a red one follows the blue light, your coolant level is too low, and your engine is overheating. If you experience this, you should take your vehicle to the auto mechanic at once to prevent damage to your engine from overheating.

Filip is a lifelong car enthusiast with over 3 years of experience writing about cars and had worked as a mechanic apprentice for over 5 years, gaining hands-on expertise in automotive mechanics. At REREV, he combines his passion for cars with his comprehensive knowledge to provide readers with a unique blend of technical insight and engaging storytelling that sets the bar high for automotive content.

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• 2015-22 (Gen 2) HR-V General Discussion

Blue-Coolant Low Temperature Light

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Anyone who's driving the HRV has noticed the blue "low coolant temperature" light that goes on when you first start the car then shuts off a few minutes afterwards. Is the purpose of this warning light to wait to put the car into Drive until this light goes off in the cold of winter or does it serve another purpose? I asked my dealer salesman, he had no idea.  

The notification is just to let you know to go easy on the engine until fully warm. No full throttle or hard fast acceleration (or what passes for it in the HRV lol) while engine is cold and the temp is blue. You can drive the car just fine though, in the winter around here it will be blue all the way to work I expect. This is important for any engine, but it is especially important for turbo engines, a turbo can be ruined quickly by high boost levels when the oil is cold. My hope is that the blue light was put in the dash as they are already thinking of adding the turbo engine and that is one less thing to change part wise once they drop the new turbo in there!  

I use the blue light as a reference of when I can turn my heat on in the winter. My CR-Z had auto climate control and in the winter I noticed that just before the blue light went off, the car would kick the fan speed up and start giving me some warm air. The blue light goes off after about 2-3 minutes in the winter (at least mine did).  

That light is like insurance for your car, it's vital for a car to heat up and get to a running temperature where everything is flowing how it should. You wouldn't jump right out of bed and start running, you'd slowly transition to that state where you're ready.  

Seems alot of cars are doing away with the traditional temp gauge and in this case, Honda is using a simple blue icon.  

Is this something new for Honda? Every car I know of always has a blue light on until the car warms up.  

My 2011 had it. Not sure what older models may have had it.  

I had never seen it either, always had a temp gauge. It sounds like Toyota started doing this years ago from what Bicepeak has.  

The blue light is a cheaper way to monitor (if you can even say "monitor") your engine temperature over the actual temperature gauge (which will give you the real time engine temperature value and the temperature fluctuation during driving). The blue light usually installed on cheaper car models, so the manufacturer can cut some cost related to putting the real temperature gauge. This is one of my main complaints related to the HRV and, honestly, I think it is incredibly cheap and disrespectful to customers to offer them a stupid blue light indicator over the actual analog or digital temperature gauge for a car that starts around 20k (or any other car model for that matter - its 2015!).  

It is not cost cutting per say - it is now days a better way to get people to pay attention. See some examples: http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1056051_why-does-my-new-car-have-no-temp-gauge http://www.stanleysubaru.com/blog/2...is-blue-light-on-my-subaru-dashboard-mean.htm Some Volkswagen cars have no blue light, and no gauge. You are on your own totally until the red light says you are overheating. 2013 TDI Jetta specifically for example. The New Beetle also has absolutely nothing. Some BMWs do not have a gauge, just a blue and red light, the reason for those is that some use electric water pumps and they felt the needle swinging too much would make people think there was a problem, so they purposely put in no gauge. Nissan has several vehicles with no gauge, Toyota and others. It is a common practice and will only continue. I'd say our "fuel economy gauge" is where the Temp gauge should be, more people like that useless gauge than a temp gauge so they go where the market leads them. If you are wanting more data get yourself an app and a bluetooth OBD2 gauge and then monitor all the info you ever need on your phone. I have one but just because I'm a geek, and the more info I have when I want the better, and it does engine light decoding and the like. I just backed one on Kickstarter yesterday in fact to replace my cheap generic one I use now. The Kiwi 3 looks to be better than what I have now, I'll know once I get it in December I guess lol!  

Thank you for the info, but in that case why not put both (the gauge and the light) on the instrument cluster, because they are both useful? I like to drive with the temperature gauge, and to check it occasionally while driving; that way I know the engine is doing fine. The temperature variations would indicate the potential problem, as your first article stated: "Some might be disappointed to see these gauges go away, as slight variations in coolant temperature are often your first sign that thermostats are sluggish or radiator passages are becoming clogged or corroded."  

Think it's a way to simplify things over time for most don't use the gauge.  

I totally agree - people are overthinking this one waaaaay too much. Get over it.  

My 2016 Honda HR-V has 40 miles on it so far and every morning when I start it, it invariably shows the cold engine light (a blue thermometer with the letter C). I looked in the manual to see what exactly this means, but all it says is "the engine is cold". It turns itself off after a couple minutes of driving. I assume this information is relevant to something, or else they wouldn't have bothered to make a light for it, but I haven't been able to figure out what. Link below to Honda Civic sight has a nice interactive diagram to describe the warning lights. Anyone else notice this? I can't say it's a problem, but an odd way to provide notice. I guess a temp gauge would show the same thing, and have needle dropped to the left to indicated the engine is cold. http://owners.honda.com/vehicles/information/2013/Civic-Sedan/features/Dashboard-Details  

Advocate said: My 2016 Honda HR-V has 40 miles on it so far and every morning when I start it, it invariably shows the cold engine light (a blue thermometer with the letter C). I looked in the manual to see what exactly this means, but all it says is "the engine is cold". It turns itself off after a couple minutes of driving. I assume this information is relevant to something, or else they wouldn't have bothered to make a light for it, but I haven't been able to figure out what. Link below to Honda Civic sight has a nice interactive diagram to describe the warning lights. Anyone else notice this? I can't say it's a problem, but an odd way to provide notice. I guess a temp gauge would show the same thing, and have needle dropped to the left to indicated the engine is cold. http://owners.honda.com/vehicles/information/2013/Civic-Sedan/features/Dashboard-Details Click to expand...

There's another thread about this somewhere It replaces the gauge. When it goes off, the engine has warmed up  

Yea it's kind of weird..... I called my dealer after the first two days of ownership as I thought we had a problem with the light coming on. Never heard of a cold engine indicator before..........but, when the light goes off the engine is fully warmed up is what they told me. Telling us something we don't really don't need to know. Sort wondering why we didn't get a "don't need fuel" indicator. :laugh:  

The purpose of the light is to remind you that the engine is cold and to take it easy (no full-throttle starts, for example) until it has reached normal operating temperature. Nothing wrong with the car, not a defect or an issue.  

HRV4ME, My post was a question, but didn't see a category for it and didn't see a similar post. Perhaps the forum title could be changed to "defect/issue/problem/or question". Forums can be fun, but not when someone rags on someone for posting something in the wrong area.  

Move ur climate control to all way to hot and if u can feel hot air coming through the vent. The blue light didn't turn off take it to dealer.  

I don't want to come off sounding mean, but this has been around for awhile. I had a 1999 Volkswagen that had this. You get the same symbol but red when the engine is running hot. It's called a "dumbie light" most cars have them because people couldn't care what the gauge's normal readings are, so this comes on only when something of interest is happening. Just like the gas light, emergency brake, Econ ect.  

Yep from my understanding its just a "go easy" indicator. Hasn't been too much of a factor here in the summer, but we'll see how it goes this winter. Maybe I won't jump on the interstate until the light is off.  

Up in Canada it's more beneficial. The coolant is not circulated through the radiator until it has come up to temperature. This is controller through the thermostat. Putting the coolant through the radiator in the cold prolongs the warm up time. You car heater has the same effect. If you put the fan, blowing cold air over the heater core full blast, it's cooling the water. When cold in the winter, the engine will heat faster if you don't turn the fan up until after the blue light is out.  

My 2012 Toyota Yaris has this light. In the winter I can go several freezing kilometres before it turns off. This time of year I barely get out of the driveway before it's gone. As others have said, I think it's there to remind you to drive gently until the engine heats up. Certainly in winter I leave the heat off until the light goes off - again, to allow the engine to heat properly. Awaiting my new HR-V!  

If the light was meant to inform the owner of taking it easy until the engine warms and the light goes out, just wondering why doesn't the manual say so? The manual seems pretty vague on what the light is actually for....  

Call me "ol' school". On my dash I want to see 1)MPH 2)The coolant temp 3)Volt meter 4)Oil pressure gauge 5)How much fuel left in tank. A tach is nice but really not needed. My ears will tell me if the engine is crying for mercy. It's strange that most pickups have gauges to tell you all the necessary info. My '05 RAM had speedo, tach, oil pressure gauge, volt meter, temp gauge and fuel gauge. If pickups can do it why not cars?  

I see this trend in a lot of new cars, maybe they assume nobody knows what they are so why bother? Or frankly cars are so reliable now what you don't "need" these gauges anymore. If something is out if range the computer can display it, keeps the dash cleaner for the 99% of the time it doesn't need to be displayed Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk  

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