Motorists whose vehicles leave them stranded often complain it happens without warning. While this may be true in many cases, in others, your car presents clear “symptoms.” Much like a cough suggests an illness or infection, your vehicle’s dashboard lights alert you to major problems.

Below, we’ll provide a brief tour through several high-priority dashboard indicators, and describe the problems they suggest. These lights deserve your immediate attention since ignoring them can lead to costly damage to key assemblies and components.

Excessive Temperature Light

While you’re on the road, your engine produces intense heat. Most vehicles built today are equipped with engines that operate between 190 and 220 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature rises past a certain level, a thermostat opens. This allows coolant to flow through the engine in order to absorb heat, and transfer it away from the assembly.

Several factors can cause the temperature in your engine to rise to the point it overheats. These factors trigger a temperature warning indicator on your dashboard. For example, the thermostat might become stuck; the water pump may fail; the radiator might become clogged; or, there may be insufficient coolant in the system. If you see this light come on, turn your car off until the problem is resolved. Otherwise, your engine may sustain damage.

Malfunctioning Brake System Light

If this indicator light comes on, there is a good chance your car is unsafe to drive. In some cases, the issue is nothing more than an engaged parking brake. However, it can also mean there’s a leak somewhere in your brake system, such as in the master cylinder, the brake lines, or the calipers. Leaks translate into pressure loss, which can cause your brake pedal to go to the floor.

Check your parking brake to make sure it is disengaged. If you still see the light illuminated on your dash, have a mechanic find and fix the problem.

Loss Of Oil Pressure Indicator

If your oil pressure is low, you’ll risk damage to your engine. Oil is critical for lubrication of the assembly’s moving parts. It also helps transfer heat away from your engine, thereby preventing the assembly from overheating. Low oil pressure can be caused by a failing oil pump, wrong fluid viscosity, leaks from deteriorating seals, and an insufficient oil level.

When you notice this light, turn your engine off immediately. Driving even a few miles without adequate oil can result in severe damage to the assembly.

Low Voltage Indicator

This indicator is less a priority than those mentioned thus far. But finding the underlying problem that triggered the light is no less important. Depending on your vehicle’s make and model, the light may be represented by a picture of a battery, or the letters “ALT”. When it comes on, it means something is wrong with the charging system. It may be triggered by a failing alternator, heavy corrosion on the battery terminals, or a slipped timing belt.

You can continue to drive for a short time after this indicator light comes on. Keep in mind, however, your battery may die within a half-hour.

Insufficient Tire Pressure Light

Most vehicles today are equipped with a tire pressure monitor system. If one or more of your tires are severely underinflated, the system triggers this indicator light to notify you. Lack of sufficient air pressure is a bigger problem than many people realize. Tires that are underinflated are more susceptible to damage and blowouts. They also provide less traction, and less response to steering commands.

While punctures from small objects can result in pressure leaks, it’s important to realize that tires also lose air naturally over time. Air seeps through the material. This is the reason auto technicians recommend checking the pressure every few weeks.

Don’t ignore the dashboard lights described above. Each can help you avoid expensive problems down the road.

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Category: Automotive
Keywords: dashboard lights, understanding the dashboard lights, vehicle indicators