Every dashboard warning light, explained

Every dashboard symbol, sorted by how urgent it is. The colour is the message.

Reviewed by Amara MusaMore about Amara Musa

Amara Musa is a light-vehicle technician, technical manager and periodic vehicle inspection controller, with over 20 years of hands-on workshop experience and experience running a workshop. Trained in Norway, with EV training and basic and advanced diagnostics training.

Last reviewed 10 September 2026. The content is drawn from “Dashboard Warning Lights Made Simple” and checked against it.

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Quick answers

The car is asking you to stop. Pull over as soon as it's safe, and read what applies to that particular light before going on.

Red

Oil Pressure

Oil pressure too low

Why it matters: Without adequate oil pressure, moving engine parts aren't being properly lubricated, and continuing to drive can cause serious engine damage within minutes.
Looks like: an old-style oil can, often dripping a drop.
Keep driving?: No
Do this: Stop the engine, check the oil, tow if it stays on

Red lightsWarning light

Red

Coolant Temperature

Engine overheating

Why it matters: Continuing to drive an overheating engine can warp the cylinder head, blow a head gasket, or cause other serious damage, often within just a few minutes.
Looks like: a thermometer in liquid, or a temperature gauge in the red zone.
Keep driving?: No
Do this: Stop and let it cool, don't open the cap while hot

Red lightsWarning light

Red

Battery / Charging

Alternator not charging the battery

Why it matters: Your battery has a limited runtime once the alternator stops charging it. Depending on the vehicle, battery condition, electrical load, and driving conditions, the engine may continue running for anything from only a few minutes to considerably longer.
Looks like: a battery icon.
Keep driving?: Short Distance
Do this: Limit electrical use, get somewhere safe promptly

Red lightsWarning light

Red

Brake System

Brake fault or low brake fluid

Why it matters: Braking is not a system to gamble on. A brake warning combined with a soft or unresponsive pedal is an emergency.
Looks like: an exclamation mark inside a circle, sometimes with “BRAKE” text.
Keep driving?: Usually No
Do this: Stop if the pedal feels wrong, inspect or tow

Red lightsWarning light

Red

Seat Belt

A belt isn't fastened

Why it matters: A seatbelt isn't fastened. Red on most cars, and it clears only once everyone on board is belted.
Do this: Fasten it and the light clears itself

Red lights

Red or Amber

Airbag / SRS

Fault in the airbag system

Why it matters: Even though this is often an amber light, treat it seriously. It means the airbag system may not deploy correctly in a collision, could deploy unexpectedly, or may disable some airbags entirely until the fault is fixed.
Looks like: a seated person with a circle in front of them, or the letters “SRS.”
Keep driving?: Yes, but Serious
Do this: Treat it seriously, inspect promptly

Red lightsWarning light

Red

High-Voltage System (EV)

Fault in the traction battery or HV circuit

Why it matters: The car isolates the battery itself when it detects a fault, which is why it may simply stop.
Keep driving?: No
Do this: Stop, get out of the car, call for recovery

Red lightsWarning light

Red or Amber

Power Steering

Steering assist fault

Why it matters: The car can usually still be steered, but steering effort may increase significantly, making the vehicle noticeably harder to maneuver, especially at low speeds like parking.
Looks like: a steering wheel with an exclamation mark.
Keep driving?: Yes, Carefully
Do this: Steering gets heavier, get it checked soon

Red lightsWarning light

Red in practice

Check Engine, flashing

Active misfire, the catalyst is at risk

Why it matters: The light alone doesn't tell you what's wrong. That requires reading the diagnostic trouble code stored by the car's computer, typically with an OBD-II scanner.
Looks like: an engine outline, sometimes just labeled “CHECK” or “CHECK ENGINE.”
Keep driving?: No
Do this: Slow down, drive as little as possible, get it read

Red lightsWarning light

You'll usually get where you're going, but something needs fixing. Book it in, and don't ignore it because the car feels normal.

Amber (Red if flashing)

Check Engine

Engine or emissions fault detected

Why it matters: The light alone doesn't tell you what's wrong. That requires reading the diagnostic trouble code stored by the car's computer, typically with an OBD-II scanner.
Looks like: an engine outline, sometimes just labeled “CHECK” or “CHECK ENGINE.”
Keep driving?: Usually Yes
Do this: Get the code read soon, urgent if it flashes

Amber lights

Amber

ABS

Anti-lock brake system fault

Why it matters: Your regular brakes will typically still work, but you may lose ABS assistance (which helps prevent wheel lock-up during hard braking) exactly when you need it most.
Looks like: “ABS” inside a circle.
Keep driving?: Yes, Carefully
Do this: Base brakes still work, drive cautiously

Amber lightsWarning light

Amber

Traction / Stability

The system is active or has a fault

Why it matters: A flickering light while driving on a slippery surface is normal. It's the system doing its job.
Keep driving?: Yes
Do this: Normal if flickering, check if it stays on

Amber lightsWarning light

Amber

Brake Pad Wear

Pads worn to the warning limit

Why it matters: If you keep driving until the material is gone, the steel backing plate meets the disc.
Looks like: a circle with dashes around it, a brake disc seen face on.
Do this: Book a service within a couple of weeks

Amber lightsWarning light

Amber

TPMS (Tire Pressure)

Tire pressure out of range

Why it matters: Underinflated tires wear unevenly, reduce fuel efficiency, and increase the risk of a blowout, especially at higher speeds.
Looks like: an exclamation mark inside a tire cross-section.
Keep driving?: Yes
Do this: Check pressures against the doorjamb sticker

Amber lightsWarning light

Amber

Service Interval

The service interval has been reached

Why it matters: The light isn't wired to a sensor that measured something wrong. It's a counter.
Looks like: a spanner, on some cars a car outline with a wrench, or the word “SERVICE”.
Do this: Book the service, ask for a reset afterwards

Amber lightsWarning light

Amber

Fuel Cap

Loose cap, often shows as check engine

Keep driving?: Yes
Do this: Tighten the cap, check the system if it persists

Amber lightsWarning light

Amber

Low Fuel

You're into the reserve

Why it matters: Time to refuel soon. On some vehicles this shows amber rather than the usual informational color.
Do this: Refuel soon. The reserve is smaller than most think

Amber lights

Amber

Rear Fog Light

The rear fog light is on

Do this: Switch it off once visibility returns

Amber lights

Amber

Parking Assist

The parking sensors are active

Do this: Snow, ice and dirt cause false readings

Amber lights

The car is telling you something. None of these end the trip, but two of them are about seeing and being seen.

Info

Washer Fluid

Washer fluid low

Why it matters: No safety risk, but visibility is one. In winter, use fluid rated below freezing.
Looks like: a windshield with spray lines.
Keep driving?: Yes
Do this: Top up, use freeze-rated fluid in winter

For informationWarning light

Info

Ice Warning

Below around 4 °C outside

Why it matters: The outside temperature has dropped to around 4 °C. Expect ice on bridges and in shade.
Looks like: a snowflake, usually amber or blue, often shown next to the outside temperature.
Do this: Expect ice on bridges and in shade

For informationWarning light

Info

Door, Trunk or Hood

Something is ajar

Why it matters: Exactly what it says. Make sure everything is fully closed before driving.
Do this: Close it properly before driving

For information

Info

Exterior Bulb Failure

An outside bulb has burned out

Why it matters: A headlight, taillight, or signal bulb has burned out and should be replaced.
Do this: Replace it. A common inspection failure

For informationWarning light

These say something is switched on, not that something is wrong. Blue always means high beam.

Green

Low Beam Headlights

The driving lights are on

Do this: Required day and night in many countries

Green and blue lights

Blue

High Beam Headlights

Main beam is on

Do this: Dip in good time for oncoming traffic

Green and blue lights

Green

Front Fog Lights

The front fog lights are on

Do this: Fog or heavy rain only

Green and blue lights

Green

Turn Signal

An indicator or the hazards are on

Do this: Double speed means a bulb has failed

Green and blue lights

Green

Cruise Control

Speed is being held automatically

Do this: Don't use it on slippery roads

Green and blue lights

Many cars have no dedicated fuel cap light. Instead, a loose fuel cap is one of the more common reasons the amber check engine light comes on.

Amber

Fuel Cap

Loose cap, often shows as check engine

Keep driving?: Yes
Do this: Tighten the cap, check the system if it persists

PetrolWarning light

Amber (Red if flashing)

Check Engine

Engine or emissions fault detected

Why it matters: The light alone doesn't tell you what's wrong. That requires reading the diagnostic trouble code stored by the car's computer, typically with an OBD-II scanner.
Looks like: an engine outline, sometimes just labeled “CHECK” or “CHECK ENGINE.”
Keep driving?: Usually Yes
Do this: Get the code read soon, urgent if it flashes

Petrol

The preheat light is not a fault: wait for it to go out before you start. The particulate filter burns itself clean at steady speed, and AdBlue has to be topped up before the level reaches zero.

Amber

Glow Plug / Preheat

Preheat circuit fault

Why it matters: A failing glow plug shows up first as hard starting on cold mornings, then as rough running for the first few minutes.
Keep driving?: Yes
Do this: Normal before start, flashing must be read

DieselWarning light

Amber

Particulate Filter (DPF)

The filter needs a regeneration

Why it matters: Left unaddressed, the filter blocks completely, and then it has to be cleaned or replaced at a shop.
Keep driving?: Yes, and you should
Do this: Drive 20-30 min at a steady speed, don't park

DieselWarning light

Amber

AdBlue

Emissions fluid running low

Why it matters: The countdown is not a recommendation. It is built into the emissions rules the car was type-approved under, and at zero the engine will not start.
Keep driving?: Yes, for now
Do this: Refill it yourself. At zero the car won't restart

DieselWarning light

A silent car is not an off car: hybrids sit in READY with the engine stopped. The hybrid system light is its own light, separate from the engine light, and not a light to drive around with.

Info

EV System Ready

The car is ready to drive

Do this: Nothing. It replaces the idling engine

HybridEV

Info

Regenerative Braking

The car brakes and charges at once

Do this: Nothing. This is how range comes back

HybridEV

Info

Eco Mode

Power and climate are turned down

Do this: Switch it off if you need full power

HybridEV

Amber

12V Battery (electric)

The small battery is flat or not charging

Why it matters: It is the single most common reason an electric car refuses to wake up, and it catches owners out because the main battery shows plenty of charge.
Looks like: a battery icon.
Keep driving?: Short Distance
Do this: Have it tested. The car won't wake without it

HybridEVWarning light

Symbols you won't find in a petrol car. Colour means the same here: red stops you, amber needs sorting, grey is information.

Info

EV System Ready

The car is ready to drive

Do this: Nothing. It replaces the idling engine

Electric carsEV

Info

Charging Connected

The cable is in and the car is locked

Do this: The car won't move until the cable is out

Electric carsEV

Info

Battery Charge Level

State of charge in the traction battery

Do this: Read it like a fuel gauge

Electric carsEV

Info

Regenerative Braking

The car brakes and charges at once

Do this: Nothing. This is how range comes back

Electric carsEV

Info

Eco Mode

Power and climate are turned down

Do this: Switch it off if you need full power

Electric carsEV

Amber

Traction Battery Low

Range is nearly used up

Do this: Find a charger now. Below 5 % power is limited

Electric carsEVWarning light

Amber

Traction Battery Fault

A fault in the cells or battery management

Do this: Drive to a workshop, not out on a long trip

Electric carsEVWarning light

Amber

Battery Temperature Too High

Hot after rapid charging or hard driving

Do this: Let the car cool before charging again

Electric carsEVWarning light

Amber

Battery Temperature Fault

Heating or cooling isn't working properly

Do this: Get it read. Charging may slow or stop

Electric carsEVWarning light

Amber

Charging System Fault

The charge was interrupted or never started

Why it matters: A damaged cable, a dirty or wet connector, a tripped supply, or a charge point that failed its handshake will all show as a charging fault.
Do this: Try another cable and charge point first

Electric carsEVWarning light

Amber

12V Battery (electric)

The small battery is flat or not charging

Why it matters: It is the single most common reason an electric car refuses to wake up, and it catches owners out because the main battery shows plenty of charge.
Looks like: a battery icon.
Keep driving?: Short Distance
Do this: Have it tested. The car won't wake without it

Electric carsEVWarning light

Amber

Reduced Power (Turtle)

The car is limiting power to protect itself

Why it matters: It is almost always the traction battery being nearly empty, very cold, or very hot after fast charging or hard driving.
Do this: Usually a cold, hot or nearly empty battery

Electric carsEVWarning light

Warning lights for hydrogen cars.

Coming soon

Guides for this type of car are on the way and will appear here.

Red lights

Seat Belt

Amber lights

Check Engine

Low Fuel

Rear Fog Light

Parking Assist

For information

Door, Trunk or Hood

Green and blue lights

Low Beam Headlights

High Beam Headlights

Front Fog Lights

Turn Signal

Cruise Control

Petrol

Check Engine

Diesel

Hybrid

EV System Ready

Regenerative Braking

Eco Mode

Electric cars

EV System Ready

Charging Connected

Battery Charge Level

Regenerative Braking

Eco Mode

Hydrogen