Have you ever wondered what a light means when it’s illuminated on your dash? Here we explain a few common ones and what they mean.
If the check engine light illuminates while you’re driving and everything seems fine with the car, don’t panic, but don’t ignore it, either. Get the vehicle to a mechanic. Since 1996, every new car and light-duty truck sold in the U.S. has been legally required to have an On Board Diagnostic system (OBD). This is a computer that monitors emissions levels and other vital engine components. With an OBD scan, sourcing a problem is easier—something as simple as tightening the gas cap might solve the issue. This also prevents an emissions-spewing vehicle from operating without the driver knowing there’s a problem lurking under the hood.
Coolant Temperature
The coolant temperature warning lets you know your car is running too hot. This could be caused by a broken water pump, low coolant levels in the radiator, a leaking or burst coolant hose, or even damage to the radiator itself. These are serious issues and could lead to much bigger engine problems if ignored. Like a blinking check engine light, driving an overheated car is not only unsafe, it also risks permanently ruining your four-wheeled mode of transportation.
Traction Control, Stability Control
This warning is often represented as the front view of a car, with two squiggly lines underneath, illustrating what these systems are trying to avoid, which is your vehicle slipping and sliding all over the road. Keep in mind, the traction control and stability control light will turn on when the system is activated. Punch the gas pedal when it’s excessively rainy or snowy, and chances are good you’ll see this dashboard light illuminate. That only means these systems are doing their job. If they turn on when your car is running at moderate speed on dry surfaces, however, there might be a flaw in the system. A common culprit would be a wheel speed sensor. Many vehicles allow the driver to adjust these systems using some form of driving mode selector. The highest performance settings in many sports cars will greatly minimize or completely deactivate traction control and stability systems.
Lamp Out
One of the less serious dashlights on this list. Then again, if the lamp or bulb in question is a headlamp or taillight, you could be risking an accident or a pricey ticket. Ironically, the lamp-out indicator is usually depicted by what looks like a sun with rays around it. A burnt-out lamp or busted bulb wouldn’t be as illuminating.
Purchasing a reader/scan tool can help you self-diagnose your vehicle.
