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Dashboard warning lights: what they mean and what to do
A dashboard warning light is your car reporting a fault. Red means stop as soon as it is safe, amber means book a check soon, and green or blue lights only show that a system is on. Tap the light you see below for what it means, whether it is safe to drive and what to do next, from the technicians at Prestige Auto Repairs & Tires in Fort Lauderdale and Oakland Park.
Oil pressure Stop
What it means. The engine has lost oil pressure: the oil is very low, the pump is failing or a sensor has failed. Without pressure, the bearings and camshafts wear in minutes.
Safe to drive? No. Pull over safely and switch the engine off.
What to do. Check the oil level once the engine is off. Even if it reads full, do not drive on: call us and we arrange to get the car to the shop. See oil leak repair.
Engine temperature Stop
What it means. The engine is overheating: low coolant, a leak, a failed water pump or thermostat, or a cooling fan that has stopped. In South Florida heat this is one of the most common breakdowns.
Safe to drive? No. Stop as soon as it is safe, engine off, and never open a hot radiator or reservoir cap.
What to do. Let it cool, then check the coolant level. Repeated overheating can warp a cylinder head, so have the cooling system pressure-tested. See coolant leak repair.
Brake system Stop
What it means. Brake fluid is low, the parking brake is on, or the system has found a fault. Low fluid usually means worn pads or a leak.
Safe to drive? Only if the parking brake is the cause. If the pedal feels soft or low, do not drive.
What to do. Release the parking brake fully. If the light stays on, have the fluid, pads and lines inspected before you drive far. See brake repair.
Battery / charging Stop
What it means. The charging system is not keeping the battery charged, most often a failing alternator, a broken belt or a bad connection. The car is running on battery power alone.
Safe to drive? Only a short distance. Turn off the A/C and accessories and head straight to us; the car may stall when the battery runs down.
What to do. Have the battery, alternator output and belt tested before the car will not start at all. See alternator and starter repair.
Airbag (SRS) Stop
What it means. The supplemental restraint system has a fault, so an airbag or seat-belt tensioner may not deploy in a crash. Seat connectors and clock springs are common causes.
Safe to drive? The car drives normally, but the airbags may not protect you. Get it checked soon.
What to do. We read the SRS module codes and fix the fault; the light needs a scan tool to clear once repaired. See electrical and coding.
Check engine Soon
What it means. The engine computer has stored a fault: anything from a loose gas cap to a misfire, a failed sensor or a catalytic converter problem.
Safe to drive? Steady: yes, but book a diagnosis soon. Flashing: no. A flashing light means an active misfire that can overheat the catalytic converter; slow down and stop.
What to do. Tighten the gas cap first. If the light stays on, we read the code, freeze-frame data and live readings, then test the part before replacing anything. See check engine light diagnostics.
ABS Soon
What it means. The anti-lock braking system has switched itself off because of a fault, usually a wheel-speed sensor, its wiring or the ABS module.
Safe to drive? Yes, carefully. Normal brakes still work, but the wheels can lock in a hard stop, and traction and stability control are often disabled too.
What to do. Have the ABS codes read; a wheel-speed sensor is a common, contained repair. See brake and ABS repair.
Tire pressure (TPMS) Soon
What it means. One or more tires is at least about 25% below its correct pressure. A flashing light that then stays on usually means a sensor fault instead.
Safe to drive? Yes, slowly, to the nearest air pump. Check the tire for a nail or a visible flat first.
What to do. Set all four tires to the pressure on the driver door sticker. If it comes back, we find the leak or replace the sensor. See TPMS sensor repair.
Traction / stability control Soon
What it means. Flashing while you drive means the system is working, catching a slipping wheel. Staying on means it has been switched off or has a fault, often linked to the ABS.
Safe to drive? Yes. Drive gently, especially on wet roads, until it is checked.
What to do. If it stays on with the ABS light, a wheel-speed sensor is the usual cause. See steering and suspension.
Power steering Soon
What it means. Electric power steering has a fault or has reduced assistance, often after a low-voltage event, a sensor fault or overheating.
Safe to drive? Carefully. Steering will feel heavy, especially at parking speeds.
What to do. Have the battery voltage and the steering module codes checked. See steering repair.
Transmission temperature Soon
What it means. The transmission fluid is too hot, from heavy traffic, trailer duty, low fluid or a slipping clutch inside the gearbox.
Safe to drive? Pull over and let it idle in Park until the light goes out. Continuing to drive hot shortens the transmission's life.
What to do. Have the fluid level and condition checked; repeated warnings need a full transmission diagnosis. See transmission repair.
Low fuel Info
What it means. The tank is down to its reserve, usually somewhere around a sixth to an eighth of a tank depending on the car.
Safe to drive? Yes, to the nearest station. Running a tank dry can overheat the in-tank fuel pump.
What to do. Refuel. If the gauge and light disagree, the fuel level sender may be failing.
Service due Info
What it means. A maintenance reminder: an oil change or scheduled service is due by time or mileage. It is not a fault.
Safe to drive? Yes. Book the service in the next few weeks.
What to do. We do the service to your maker's schedule and reset the reminder. See scheduled maintenance.
Symbols vary a little by make; your owner's manual has the exact list for your car. Hearing a noise instead? See the car noises guide. Not sure which light you have? Send a photo of your dash with the estimate form and a service advisor will call you.
Red, amber or green: how urgent is it?
Carmakers follow the same colour code. It tells you how quickly to act before you even know which system it is.
- Red: stop as soon as it is safeOil pressure, engine temperature, brakes, charging, airbags. Driving on can damage the engine or put you at risk.
- Amber or yellow: book a check soonCheck engine, ABS, tire pressure, traction control, steering. The car usually still drives, but something has failed.
- Green, blue or white: informationHeadlights, high beams, cruise control, eco modes. These only show that a system is on.
A code is a clue, not a diagnosis
A parts-store code reader tells you which system noticed a problem, not which part failed. At both shops we read the codes and freeze-frame data with professional scan tools, watch live readings, and test the suspect part before replacing anything. You get photos and a written estimate first, and repairs carry our 2-year / 24,000-mile warranty.
Oakland Park, at 250 NE 44th St, is open 7 days with a 24-hour key drop box; Fort Lauderdale, at 930 NE 4th Ave, is open Monday to Saturday. Both are open 8 AM – 7 PM. In Oakland Park, see check engine light diagnostics in Oakland Park.
