CarMD: Deciphering Your Vehicle`s Dashboard Warning Lights
Contents
1. IMPORTANT This symbol varies trom Manufacturer to Manu facturer Please check your user s manual Maintenance or Service Light This light is often confused with the Check Engine Service Engine Soon light but is differ ent Itis also known as the oil reset light and is usually tied to mileage to remind you that your car needs routine service Following a regularly scheduled maintenance program can help extend the life of your vehicle and minimize expensive sur prise repair bills This light monitors your vehicle s supplemental This light signals that there was a fault detected which can SRS restraint system SRS which makes sure the air indicate that your vehicle s air bags and or seat belts won t bags and seat belts are working properly function properly if you re in a crash This light is tied to the tire pressure monitoring system TPMS found on many newer model If your tire pressure is too high or too low you risk a blowout TPMS vehicles It s designed to tell you when tire as well as uneven wear increased rolling resistance and fuel pressure is too high or too low and can be a bit finicky if your weather extremes vary greatly consumption x x x x x Traction Control or Dynamic Traction Control Transmission Temperature IIluminates when your vehicle s anti skid or trac tion control system is in use Please note there are vaious combinations for this symbol This i2. DY CarMD Reference Library Vehicle Warning Systems DECIPHERING YOUR VEHICLE S DASHBOARD VVARNING LIGHTS SYMBOL Today s cars have more computer chips and warning lights than Apollo 11 To make it even more confusing many of the icons for these lights are not universal So the word pictogram or graphic for each system may be different on different vehicles CarMD has compiled this reference to help you decipher your car s dashboard warning lights and see if it s a system that CarMD monitors SYSTEM OVERVIEW Why It s IMPORTANT Often called the Malfunction Indicator Lamp MIL or Service Engine Soon light and nicknamed At a minimum this warning light indicates a problem that may the idiot light it indicates a problem related reduce gas mileage and harm the environment It can also to your vehicle s emissions system It is tied to signify a severe problem that may lead to expensive repairs Check Engine about 80 of the systems on your car ranging from a loose gas cap to a catalytic converter A flashing or blinking check engine light signifies a problem that is doing mechanical damage to your engine and This light is different from the Maintenance or needs immediate attention service Light IF the AB isn ki h Indicates that a problem was detected with your the ABS system Isn t working properly your car can have an ABS increased number of wheel lock ups and reduced driver control car s anti lo
3. at transmission wind up may be present If this light stays on even after you ve driven in both reverse and forward it could indicate a transmission problem Electronic Power The EPC Electronic Power Control light warns of a problem with the power train control system The vehicle will usually go into limp mode This light indicates a problem that can reduce your traction control when driving on wet or Icy roads as well as other Train which provides you limited acceleration to pro eee tect the engine This is enough to only get you to p l a repair facility Glow Plug Pp pile O E EEN a OERE Don t start the engine until the light goes off glow plugs are warming up Oil Pressure One of the most important warning lights it means your vehicle isn t getting the right amount of oil or has lost oil pressure needed for safe engine operation If you attempt to drive with the low oil light on you can do major engine damage to your vehicle Security Alert Alerts drivers to a range of issues that usually have something to do with the car s security alarm system either factory or aftermarket If you ignore this light it could keep you from being able to start the car Copyright 2011 CarMD com Corp All rights reserved I CarMD Reference Library Vehicle Warning Systems DECIPHERING YOUR VEHICLES S DASHBOARD VVARNING LIGHTS CONT SYMBOL SYSTEM OVERVIEW Why It s
4. ck braking system ABS of the vehicle during braking This light indicates that your vehicle isn t get It can signify a problem with the battery Itself as well as the Battery Charging ting the proper charge to the battery or electrical alternator and can leave you stranded with a dead battery if system ignored In the U S this light usually says BRAKE In Canada it is often only depicted as a graphic symbol This light indicates a problem with your vehicle s brake system It can also indicate that you left the parking brake on so double check before you panic If this light stays on you should have your brakes checked as ignoring this problem can cause reduced braking capacity or complete brake failure and put you in harm s way Brake System FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR CAR Copyright 2011 CarMD com Corp All rights reserved I CarMD Reference Library Vehicle Warning Systems DECIPHERING YOUR VEHICLES S DASHBOARD VVARNING LIGHTS CONT SYMBOL SYSTEM OVERVIEW Why It s IMPORTANT Coolant Temperature This light comes on when your vehicle s coolant antifreeze mixture is higher than optimum It often means the vehicle needs repairs ranging from an engine coolant temperature sensor to mechanical repairs to additional coolant itself If ignored it can lead to overheating and expensive engine damage eg Differential Lock Indicates the differential lock is engaged or th
5. icle s brakes need Low Brake Pad service You may also experience your brakes Failure to service them in time could result in further damage Warning pulsing or squeaking when the brake pads are to your brake components and incur higher repair costs low You should make an appointment to have your brakes serviced Xx Important Notes When you first turn on your vehicle each of these warning lights should briefly light up to confirm they are working properly but should turn off while you re driving the vehicle When any of these or other warning lights illuminate and stay on for a period of time your vehicle is trying to tell you something Just as you wouldn t ignore a health symptom it s important to have the problem diagnosed as soon as possible You can reference your vehicle s service manual to learn more about the specific warning lights on your car or truck and should always seek advice and repairs from a trusted mechanic dealership or repair shop if you have questions or concerns about any systems on your vehicle gt gt For Furtner Information or Support gt gt Join CarMD s Conversations CarMD com Corporation 11245 Young River Avenue Fountain Valley CA 92708 Phone 1 888 MyCarMD 1 888 692 2763 Mon Sat 6 AM 6 PM Pacific Time www CarMD com Email support carmd com Copyright 2011 CarMD com Corp All rights reserved FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR CAR
6. s a newer light designed to let you know when your transmission temperature is higher than optimum Heed this warning and slow down especially on wet or icy roads If left ignored this light can indicate a problem that is doing damage to your transmission Copyright 2011 CarMD com Corp All rights reserved WY CarMD Reference Library Vehicle Warning Systems DECIPHERING YOUR VEHICLES S DASHBOARD VVARNING LIGHTS CONT SYMBOL SYSTEM OVERVIEW Wuy It s IMPorTANT Your vehicle s manufacturer may call this Auto matic Stability Control ASC Dynamic Stability Control DSC Dynamic Stability and Traction Control DSTC Electronic Stability Control ESC Vehicle Dynamic Control VDC and many others Stability Control They all mean the same thing When lit it means Indicator that the vehicle is running without the stability control enhancement A light that is constantly on or flashes may indicate a more severe prob lem The vehicle may even go on limp mode which provides you limited acceleration to pro tect the engine Stability control is a sophisticated electronically controlled system that uses sensors In conjunction with other systems to identify when there is peripheral slip in the tires during hard cornering and responds by adjusting the throttle brakes and or suspension to help keep the vehicle stable x x x A few vehicle manufacturers use this symbol to represent when your veh
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