Car Dashboard Warning Lights & Symbols Explained

Car dashboard warning lights are essential safety and maintenance alerts designed to keep you, your passengers, and your motor safe. We've all been there when that mystery light appears on the car dashboard, and suddenly, you're frantically googling at traffic lights. 

These icons are your car's way of talking to you, signalling everything from a minor issue to an immediate safety risk. Understanding these warnings builds confidence, ensuring you know exactly what to do next time a light pops on.

While icon shapes can vary by make, model, and year, we advise stopping if you’re in doubt, especially for red or flashing lights. For absolute certainty, always cross-check the symbol with your vehicle handbook. Early diagnosis saves money, avoids MOT failure, and improves your car’s reliability.

It can also help to improve your driving experience. 

Key takeaways

• Red car dashboard warning lights: Stop safely as soon as possible. A red warning light is critical for the engine, oil pressure, brakes, battery, and airbags.
  
  
• Amber or yellow car dashboard warning lights: Indicate caution and the need for a timely check, usually not urgent, but you shouldn't ignore them.
  
  
• Green or blue car dashboard warning lights are for system information only, showing features like indicators or high beams are in use, not problems.
  
  
• Flashing car dashboard warning lights are for escalated urgency. If your engine or DPF warnings are flashing red, you should pull over immediately to a safe location.

Low Tyre Pressure Warning Light (TPMS)

TPMS lights show one or more tyres have fallen below recommended pressures. Your tyres are feeling deflated and need some attention.

Check all tyre pressures when cold using the specs on your driver's door frame sticker. Inflate to recommended values, including the spare if monitored. Temperature drops of 10°C reduce pressures by about 2 PSI.

Slow punctures cause gradual pressure loss. Damaged valve stems leak around their base. Both need professional repair for safety.

Battery Warning Light

Battery warning lights show charging system problems, not just battery failures. The alternator, drive belt or wiring usually causes this warning.

Switch off non-essential electrical loads like air conditioning, heated seats and stereo systems. If it's time for a new vehicle, see our best cars to buy on hire purchase. Avoid turning off the engine until safely parked, restarting might prove impossible. Your car runs on stored battery power for now.

According to major UK recovery services, flat batteries consistently rank as the number one reason for breakdown callouts.

Warning signs include dimming headlights, sluggish electric windows, power steering becoming heavy, and eventual engine stalling when the battery runs down completely. Modern cars with electric power steering fail dramatically when the voltage drops.

Check alternator belt condition and tension if safely accessible. Test alternator output and battery condition at garages or parts retailers offering free testing. Replace parts before complete failure strands you.

ABS Warning Light (Anti-Lock Brake System)

ABS warning lights show your anti-lock system won't prevent wheel lockup during emergency braking. Drive like it's 1985 again.

Normal braking continues working, but wheels could lock during hard stops. This causes skidding and loss of steering control, especially on wet UK roads. Increase the following distances and brake earlier than usual.

Common faults include contaminated wheel speed sensors, damaged tone rings on driveshafts, and corroded wiring connections. Road salt and brake dust contaminate sensors. Physical damage from debris breaks delicate tone rings.

Combined red brake and amber ABS lights show serious faults. Don't drive and arrange for a quick recovery. ABS faults alone permit careful driving to garages but cause automatic MOT failures needing quick repair.

Brake Pad Warning Light

Brake warning lights show parking brake use, low brake fluid levels, or hydraulic system faults. Your brakes are quite important, so make sure to sort this properly.

First, make sure the parking brake fully releases. If the light stays on, check brake fluid levels in the reservoir under the bonnet. Low fluid often shows worn brake pads or system leaks needing quick attention.

When ABS lights come with brake warnings, both normal braking and stability systems are hit. Stopping distances get much longer, especially in wet conditions. The brake pedal might feel soft or travel further than normal.

Never drive with suspected brake faults. Arrange recovery if you’re unsure about safety. Brake system failures cause MOT failures straight away, but more importantly, they risk accidents. Professional checks show whether it's simple pad wear or serious hydraulic problems.

Brake System Warning Light 

The brake system warning light, also known as the parking brake or brake fluid warning light, is one of the most important lights to watch out for.

If this red light remains on after you release the parking brake or comes on while you're driving, it could be a sign that your brake fluid levels are low.

Low brake fluid levels can be caused by a leak in the brake system, worn brake pads, or a malfunctioning master cylinder.

If you're not comfortable checking your brake fluid levels yourself, it's best to take your car to a professional for inspection and repair.

Airbag Warning Light

Airbag or SRS lights signal faults disabling protective airbags or seatbelt tighteners.

Common causes include faulty connectors under seats (especially after adjustment). Also, clock spring issues in steering wheels, damaged impact sensors, or control module wiring faults. Moving seats often disrupts connections.

While cars drive normally with airbag faults, passenger protection is severely compromised during accidents. Airbags won't deploy when needed most. Seatbelt tighteners also fail and could reduce crash protection.

An illuminated airbag warning light is a major defect that results in an automatic MOT failure in the UK. If you’ve recently bought a car on finance from a dealership, knowing your car finance rights will help you handle such issues.

Professional checks identify specific fault codes. Avoid DIY repairs on SRS parts, specialist tools and procedures prevent accidental deployment. Leave it to the experts.

Engine Temperature Warning Light

The engine temperature warning light shows that your car is overheating quickly.

Pull over safely, turn off the engine, and let it cool for at least 30 minutes. Never open the coolant cap when hot, as the pressure can cause serious burns.

Check coolant levels once cool. Look for leaks (puddles, steam) or a broken fan, thermostat or water pump. If nothing's obvious, the fault likely involves circulation parts. Get a cooling system pressure test to find hidden leaks or part failures.

Overheating damage happens fast. Just like burning toast, you can't undo it once it's done.

Oil Pressure Warning Light 

The oil warning light shows critically low pressure and could threaten quick engine damage. This isn't just a low oil level, it's about circulation pressure.

Stop the engine now and check oil levels after five minutes. If oil appears below the minimum markers, add the right grade of oil slowly. Low pressure despite good oil suggests mechanical failures like worn bearings or blocked oil pickup screens.

Common causes beyond low oil include external leaks from gaskets. Also, clogged oil pickup screens, failed oil pumps, and worn engine bearings. Even if the engine sounds normal, internal damage occurs within seconds without proper lubrication pressure.

Never drive with this light on. Arrange car recovery for professional checks. Running without oil pressure causes complete engine failure, costing thousands. Oil is your engine's lifeblood, and this light means the heart's stopped pumping.

Find out more about useful regular car maintenance tips here, and some of the best car maintenance YouTubers to help you.

Check Engine Light 

Check engine lights, ECU warning light or engine management light come on for various reasons. Solid lights show stored faults, while flashing warns of active misfires damaging your catalytic converter.

It’s the most mysterious and annoying light that appears for issues ranging from loose fuel caps to serious engine faults. Basic checks include making sure the fuel cap clicks properly when tightened. A loose cap triggers fuel vapour emission faults.

Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors affecting the fuel mixture. Also, mass airflow sensor problems cause rough running, ignition coil or spark plug failures, creating misfires. Plus, EGR valve faults increase emissions. Symptoms like rough idle, hesitation or power loss show repair urgency levels.

With solid lights, reduce speed and load while avoiding heavy acceleration. Book checks within days. Flashing lights will demand quick action. Pull over safely and arrange recovery. Continuing to drive could lead to expensive catalytic converter repairs. Think of it as your car's check-up reminder, but more urgent than your dentist's.

OBD-II scanners read specific fault codes for accurate checks. Persistent check engine lights cause MOT failures.

DPF Warning Light (Diesel Particulate Filter)

DPF lights show blocked filters needing regeneration. Short journeys, low fuel levels, and faulty sensors prevent automatic regeneration cycles. Persistent lights combined with power loss show severe blockages needing forced regeneration or professional cleaning services.

Ignoring persistent DPF warnings can lead to replacement costs often exceeding £1,000 for many car models.

Unresolved DPF issues trigger limp mode, limiting speed and power. Fuel consumption increases while emissions soar. Complete blockages need expensive DPF replacement. Italian tune-ups prevent costly professional cleaning. Your DPF is like a coffee filter, it needs clearing regularly, or everything backs up.

Power Steering Warning Light 

The EPS (Electric Power Steering) or EPAS (Electric Power-Assisted Steering) dashboard warning light is a sign that there's a problem with your car's power steering system.

In some cases, the problem could be as simple as a glitch in the system that can be fixed by turning the car off and back on again.

However, if the warning light remains on after rebooting, it's important to get your car checked by a professional as soon as possible.

Issues with the power steering can make it harder to control your car and increase the risk of accidents.

Depending on the nature of the problem, your power steering system may require a minor repair or a complete replacement, so it's best to leave it to the experts to diagnose and fix.

In cases like these, having breakdown cover can be a huge relief. Check out our complete guide to breakdown recovery cover to learn more.

Coolant Levels Warning Light

The coolant system in your car is designed to absorb heat from the engine and disperse it through the radiator to prevent the engine from overheating.

The coolant dashboard warning light comes on when your coolant levels are running low. Coolant levels can drop for a variety of reasons, including leaks in the system or normal wear and tear.

If the coolant dashboard light comes on, it's important to check your coolant levels and top them up as soon as possible.

Be sure to use the recommended coolant type and follow the manufacturer's guidelines for adding coolant to your car.

Engine Stability Problem (ESP) Light

The ESP, or Electronic Stability Program, is a vital safety feature that helps prevent skidding and loss of control while driving on slippery or uneven surfaces.

If the ESP warning light comes on, it could indicate a problem with the system that requires immediate attention.

If the ESP warning light is flashing, it means that the system is currently intervening to help maintain traction and stability on the road.

However, if it stays on continuously, it suggests that the system is not functioning properly and may be compromised in the event of an emergency.

In some cases, the ESP system may be deactivated manually, which can cause the warning light to come on with the word "OFF" displayed.

If you suspect that the system may have been deactivated accidentally, try stopping and restarting the engine to see if the warning light goes off.

If the light remains on, it's best to have your car inspected by a professional to ensure that your ESP system is functioning properly and providing maximum safety on the road.

What to do when a warning light comes on

When a car dashboard warning light comes on, follow this simple decision path.

If in doubt, always stop at a safe location. You can do basic checks like checking the oil and coolant levels, inspecting tyre conditions and pressures. Make sure the fuel cap is properly tightened. Look for clear leaks or odd smells underneath.

Check your owner's manual for specific symbol meanings. Many cars display text messages explaining faults. OBD-II scanners from auto parts stores read detailed fault codes.

Choose between roadside assistance and careful driving to garages based on symptoms. Red lights, strange noises, smoke or handling changes warrant quick professional help. Solid amber lights typically allow careful driving to nearby garages.

Write down conditions when the lights appeared, including speed, weather, and any dashboard messages. Note recent fuel fills, services or repairs. This context helps find intermittent faults. Early action prevents minor issues from becoming major expenses.

If your car requires consistent repairs, see if a new car with Carmoola could be an option for you.