PANET | The meaning of the warning lights on the car dashboard

Image for illustration only - Photo: iStock-Birdlkportfolio

Warning lights in your car’s dashboard because they will help you avoid the car from breaking down or even stopping it completely. Here we will talk about what the yellow, red and green warning lights that appear to you in the dashboard mean, why they appear, how serious the problem is, and what to do when you see them The warning lights in the car's dashboard follow the color scheme of the traffic lights:

Green: means that the system is working properly or is currently in use

Yellow: Something is not working right - pay close attention and check it out as soon as possible

Red: There is a serious problem that could lead to major consequences - stop driving as soon as possible

Brake warning light: Also called brake system warning light, parking brake warning light or brake fluid warning light

If the red light remains visible after releasing the parking brake (hand), or it flashes while driving, this may indicate a low level of brake fluid. the cars.

If the ABS warning light is also on, this indicates that the ABS has failed, or that the brakes may not operate properly. In this case, a light may also appear to warn that the EBD has malfunctioned.

Can I continue driving with the brake warning light on? It is best not to risk continuing driving in this situation as the brakes are one of the most important safety features in your vehicle, so it is necessary to act immediately when the red warning light appears, stop the vehicle at the nearest safe place Until you reach that place, keep your speed low and avoid sudden braking. If you are not familiar with how to check brake fluid levels, head immediately to a specialized technical center.

Don't risk driving when the brakes don't work properly as you can call a roadside service if one is available.

Engine run light: Also called a check engine warning light or electronic control unit.

When the engine start light flashes, it is usually accompanied by signs that the engine is not running as efficiently as it should be, such as poor torque or poor response when the gas pedal is depressed.

This warning light can indicate various problems, ranging from minor malfunctions such as a faulty electrical sensor to larger mechanical problems, such as a malfunction in the emission control system.

What time is allowed to drive the vehicle after the check engine signal appears? You must check the engine after the warning signal as soon as possible, as continuing driving will expose you to the risk that temporary failures will turn into serious irreparable damage later.

Airbag warning light: Also called the SRS warning light.

When the warning light turns red, it means that at least one of the airbag safety systems is not working properly: the fault may be in the airbags themselves; or the front passenger rating system (which detects the weight and position of the front passenger so that the airbags are safely released when necessary); or a seat belt pretensioner system; Which tightens the seat belt in the event of a collision.

Can I continue driving with the airbag warning light on? When the airbag system isn't working properly, this can disrupt its release in the event of a collision - or it might fire unexpectedly and smash your dashboard. In both cases, the airbag system is one of the main safety features in the car, which is why you should check it as soon as the warning light appears.

Steering system warning light: Also called EPS or EPAS warning light. This warning light indicates a problem with the power steering system. For electric power systems, this problem may be minor and only needs to be restarted. Find a safe place to stop and stop and restart the car after 30 seconds. If the warning light remains on the dashboard, you should go to a specialized center to have the car checked as soon as possible.

Can I continue driving with the EPS bulb on? You can continue driving, but be aware that a failure of the steering system will make it more difficult to maneuver the car on the road, which requires extra caution – also there is a risk of driving at high speeds on the highways When the power steering system is not operating as efficiently as required.

Diesel Particulate Filter Warning Light: Also called the DBF warning light or exhaust particulate filter. If your vehicle is diesel, this warning light will appear if there is a problem with the exhaust particulate filter, which removes harmful particles from the exhaust gases to reduce emissions to the environment. This warning light could indicate that the filter is clogged due to a buildup of dirt and grime.

Can I continue driving with the DBF warning light on? Continuing to drive with a clogged filter may not only produce toxic black smoke every time you press the accelerator pedal, but may also damage important parts of the vehicle so you should go to The nearest garage to inspect the car, noting that change these filters.

Engine temperature warning light: It is also called the coolant temperature warning light. This warning light will appear when the vehicle’s engine temperature rises and the temperature exceeds its normal levels may mean the level of coolant is low, possibly due to a leak in the cooling cycle, and may be a sign of A more serious problem such as damage to the head gasket.

If the warning light appears red, you must stop the car immediately because a serious defect in the cooling cycle will raise the engine temperature in a way that may lead to melting of some of the internal parts that cannot be repaired.

Lift the hood and take a look to see if there are any visible leaks. If you can't spot the source of the leak and the signal goes out after the coolant has been supplied, you can continue your journey safely. If the warning light reappears after filling in the engine fluids, then you will have to go to a specialized workshop to determine the main problem, and note that the engine overheating may lead to the car being disconnected as well.

Coolant Levels Warning Light: Coolant absorbs heat from the car's engine and distributes it through the radiator to keep the engine warm at normal levels. A yellow warning light will appear when coolant levels are low to remind you that it needs to be replenished.

Can I continue driving with the coolant warning light on? Avoid driving long distances if coolant levels are low, and you will have to stop as often as possible to supply the radiator water in order to avoid causing the vehicle major problems Please also be aware of the need to wait for it to cool down Engine before filling coolant. If this warning light appears frequently, it is recommended to go to a specialized workshop to check for any possible leaks.

Oil warning light: It is also called a low engine oil or oil pressure warning light. The oil warning light appears when the engine oil temperature is dangerously high and also when the oil level drops below normal levels. The lack of oil in the quantity required to lubricate all parts of the engine may lead to damage Damage to the motor may not help repair later, and therefore it is necessary to act quickly to address the matter.

Can I continue driving with the oil warning light on? If the warning light is red you must stop the vehicle immediately, raise the hood and take a look to see if there are any visible leaks if you can't detect the source of the leak and the signal goes out after the oil has been applied. You can continue your journey safely and if the warning light reappears after filling in the engine fluids then you will have to go to a specialized workshop to determine the main problem. Avoid engine damage.

Low Tire Pressure Warning Light: Many vehicles are now equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems that will alert you when the tire pressure is low, possibly due to a puncture or over time.

Can I continue driving with the tire pressure warning light on? Yes, but in this case you should drive with extra caution and stop at the nearest place to fill the tire with air or nitrogen as low tire pressure leads to unsafe driving conditions, so you should reduce Vehicle speed and avoid sudden braking or any violent maneuvers.

Air compressors are available in most petrol stations and garages, which allow motorists to check the safety of tire pressures. The tire pressure level is subject to the specifications of the vehicle manufacturer, so you should refer to the owner's manual for the correct rates.

Battery warning light: It is also called the battery charge warning light. When this light flashes while driving, it indicates that the battery is not charging and this is due to a problem in the electrical circuit of the car for several reasons such as the alternator (dynamo) failure, battery life expired Loose electrical connections or damaged cables.

Can I continue driving with the battery charge warning light on?

Your car will work normally until the battery runs out, but once the charging finishes, no part of your car will work - so try to get to a workshop quickly before you have to stop in an unsafe location.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Warning Light: The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a standard safety feature on modern cars and will come in handy if you have to come to a sudden stop or when driving in difficult weather conditions such as rain and snow.

Can I continue driving with the ABS light on the dashboard? If the ABS light comes on suddenly by itself, don't worry because the normal brake platform will still work normally, so you can continue your journey but keep a safe distance with other cars, then go for a check vehicle as soon as possible. But if the ABS lamp appears along with the brake warning light, this may indicate that the entire brake system has failed and you must stop immediately