50+ Car Warning Lights and Meanings | Car Dashboard Symbols

In this content, I will share with you the meanings of Car warning lights and Car dashboard symbols in detail. I have prepared a very detailed and useful content for you on car warning lights. 

In the continuation of the content, you will see the warning light symbols on your car dashboard. When you click on any of these warning lights, you can see a detailed explanation of what the relevant symbol means.

The warning lights on car dashboard are designed to inform you in advance if there is a problem with your car. The car dashboard symbols turn on when your car has a malfunction or any of your car’s systems are working. These car warning lights appear in different colors depending on the severity of the malfunction.

Degree of urgency by color:

Red Warning Lights

Red Warning Lights indicate a potentially serious problem. Also it indicates the problem must be checked immediately by a professional. On the other hand, a red light might also make a reminder the driver that the time of service maintenance has come.

The most emergency warnings in car dashboard symbols are appeared in red. In this case, you should stop your vehicle as soon as possible by pulling it to the side so as will not to create a danger to traffic. According to malfunction lights, you should take an action.

For example, illuminating of engine temperature warning light means that the engine is overheated. If you continue to drive your vehicle in this state, more financial damage can be suffered.

Yellow or Orange Warning Lights

Yellow or Orange Warning  Lights indicate the problem should be checked in the shortest time possible. The yellow and orange warning Lights turn on when there is a less serious problem. If the yellow and orange warning Lights turn on, you can continue down the road. But it advises that the problem should be checked in the shortest time possible in order to not cause bigger malfunction.

Blue or Green Warning Lights

 Blue or Green warning lights indicate that any system in your vehicle is on or working. headlights on, etc.

50+ Car Warning Lights  (Full List)

Car Warning Lights and Meanings

Although car dashboard lights vary by vehicle, examples of very common warning and information lights that may appear on your vehicle’s dashboard are given below. In a subparagraph you can see what these fault signs mean.

Not all symbols are universal.  If you are unsure, please  refer to your owner’s manuel or contact your dealer.

1. Engine Temperature Warning Light

Engine Temperature Warning Light; Indicates that the engine is overheating the coolant. One of the three most important warning lamps in your car is the (Others Oil Lamp and Charging Lamp).

When you see this red lamp on your car’s instrument panel, you should stop your vehicle as soon as possible and wait for the engine to cool to its proper temperature. Even if your car is cold, it is not recommended that you continue in this situation. It is recommended that you take your car to the nearest service. If you keep driving your car while this lamp is on, you can cause great financial damage to your car’s engine.

Click for detailed information : What Does the Engine Temperature Warning Light Mean?

2. Oil Pressure Warning Light

Oil Pressure Warning Light; Oil is the lifeblood of your car. The entire engine system works thanks to lubrication. It’s like the water need for the human body. The most important is the warning lamp, which requires immediate action. If this lamp lights up, your car’s oil level is low. You should stop your vehicle as soon as possible and check the oil level after you have cooled off your engine. You must not drive your vehicle with in this light.

Click for detailed information: Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light Meaning

3. Battery Charge Warning Light

Battery charge warning light; This dashboard symbol means that your car’s charging dynamo is a problem and that your car only works with the battery.

Whatever the cause of the battery warning, the safest option is once again to take your car to the service station and to the car to check for the fault. When you are in trouble, turn off your radio and air conditioning system and consider going to the repair shop safely.

Click for detailed information: What Does The Car Battery Warning Light On The Dashboard Mean?

4. Hand Brake Warning Light

Hand Brake Warning Light; It’s a warning light to show that the handbrake is ON.

5. Hand Brake Warning Light (Other)

Hand Brake Warning Light; It’s a warning light to show that the handbrake is ON.

6. Electric Parking Brake Warning Light

Electric parking brake warning light; On automatic-gear vehicles, lights up when you shift the gear position to park. (P)

7. Airbag Malfunction Warning Light

Airbag malfunction warning light;  When this lamp is lit, the airbag system is not functioning. You are advised to go to the service.

8. Seat Belt Not On Warning Light

Seat belt not on warning light; Warning light, which means that the seat belt is not attached.

9. Transmission Temperature  Warning Light

Transmission Temperature  Warning Light; The gearbox is a warning symbol that means that it is operating at an improper temperature. Check the gearbox oil level and engine coolant level. Wait for 5 minutes to cool at idle while the vehicle is in gearshift N.

10. Car Security Warning Light

Car Security Warning Light; This dashboard light flashes for about 15 seconds. It flashes because the vehicle security alarm is sounding and turns off automatically when the alarm goes away.

11. Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light

Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light; This dashboard symbols illuminate to indicate a malfunction in the electronic Throttle Control system. If this light flickers for a long time, you should stop your vehicle immediately and put it in PARK. Contact the Dodge service station as soon as possible.

12. Car Ahead Indicator Warning Light

Car Ahead Indicator Warning Light; This dashboard light flickers to show you that there is a vehicle in front of your car and you need to reduce your speed to avoid collision.

13. Lane Keep Assist Warning Light

Lane keep assist warning light; It is a warning lamp that lights up when the lane change is made without using the signal in the vehicles produced by today’s technolgy.

14. Check Engine Light or Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)

Check Engine Light or Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL); Engine malfunction warning light. It is one of the most frequently lit lamps. Most vehicles have 2 levels. If the light keeps ON and remains stable, it should be taken at some serious level. However, if the light is flashing it indicates a more serious problem and it is advisable to take the service to the car without driving.

The engine malfunction lamp can be lit for a number of reasons. The most common is the advance setting and the engine system is switched on and the result is lit when the vehicle is not properly installed. Other common causes may include; poor quality fuel, lambda sensor malfunction, catalytic converter malfunction, egr malfunction.

Click for detailed information : Check Engine Light: What Does It Mean and How to Reset ? (The Complete Guide)

15. Check Engine Light or Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)

Check Engine Light or Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL); Engine malfunction warning light. It is one of the most frequently lit lamps. Most vehicles have 2 levels. If the light keeps ON and remains stable, it should be taken at some serious level. However, if the light is flashing it indicates a more serious problem and it is advisable to take the service to the car without driving.

The engine malfunction lamp can be lit for a number of reasons. The most common is the advance setting and the engine system is switched on and the result is lit when the vehicle is not properly installed. Other common causes may include; poor quality fuel, lambda sensor malfunction, catalytic converter malfunction, egr malfunction.

Click for detailed information : Check Engine Light: What Does It Mean and How to Reset ? (The Complete Guide)

16. Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Warning Light

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Warning Light: The particulate filter is the part of the exhaust gases that pollute the air that is blown out and allows the less harmful gas to be thrown out. This lamp is located on the diesel vehicle and shows that when it is lit, your vehicle is blocked by the exhaust system or due to different substances.

When the diesel particulate filter is on, you may notice that your car has fallen into a draft. If it is too clogged, your vehicle may stop occasionally. Your car’s exhaust emission values may rise. If you use the car for 10-15 minutes at high speeds while the car is running, the soot can be cleaned and the lamp may go out. If it does not go off, you are recommended to go to the service.

Click for detailed information: https://carwarninglights.net/warning-light/diesel-particulate-filter/

17. Glow Plug Warning Light

Glow Plug Warning Light; This warning light is located on diesel vehicles and is the part that sets the ignition required for the vehicle to operate. The ignition in petrol vehicles is made by the spark plug while in diesel vehicles it is done by the heating plug in cold weather. If your vehicle does not work during cold weather and this fault lamp is lit, the heating busses are not functioning and must be replaced.

Click for detailed information: Glow Plug Warning Light: What does Glow Plug Light Mean?

18. Low Fuel Indicator Symbol

Low Fuel Indicator Symbol; It is the warning light that goes ON when your car is low on fuel. When this lamp is lit, it indicates that you have fuel in your depot at varying rates depending on your brand name. This amount of fuel is written in the manual of your vehicle. The fuel in the depot is lit when the average is between 5 and 8 liters.

19. ABS Warning Light

ABS warning light; If ignition does not come on when the ignition switch is “ON” position, it means that it is defective if it does not go ON after burning, and if it is on when driving, you must use your vehicle carefully, drive at medium speed and avoid braking hardly.

Click for detailed information: https://carwarninglights.net/warning-light/abs-warning-light/

20. SPORT Mode

Sport Mode; This warning sign indicates that sport mode is activated.

21. Service 4wd Warning Light

Service 4wd Warning Light; If the four-wheel drive warning sign on the instrument cluster and the 4WD lamp are on, there may be a malfunction in the system.

22. Electronic Stability Control Active Warning Light

Electronic Stability Control Active Warning Light;  Illuminates when the car is in traction control/anti-slip or electronic stability system in use. It is usually an indicator light that indicates the conditions are slippery.

23. Car Triangle with Exclamation Point

Car Triangle with Exclamation Point; The exclamation point in the yellow triangle that lights up on the dashboard of BMW cars is also known as the generic warning light or the service light. If this light came on the dashboard panel of your car, it usually indicates that it is not an emergency, but that there is a problem in your car that needs to be fixed. The color changes from white for a benign message, to yellow, needs attention, to red, critical.

Click for detailed information: https://carwarninglights.net/car-guide/triangle-with-exclamation-point/

24. Door Open Warning Light

Door open warning light; A warning lamp that lights up when an individual door is open or closed, including luggage in your car.

25. Swing Gate Reminder Warning Light

Swing gate reminder warning light; Signs with vehicle dashboard which mean that the luggage compartment is open.

26. Hood Open Warning Light

Hood Open Warning Light; If the engine hood is open, this vehicle warning light will appear on the panel

27. Service Electric Parking Warning Light

Service Electric Parking Warning Light; This warning symbol alerts you that there is a technical problem/defect in the parking brake system and needs emergency service.

28. All Wheel Drive Warning Light

All Wheel Drive Warning Light; If this instrument cluster warning symbol illuminates, it indicates a problem with the AWD system. It would be best to take your vehicle to your service provider.

29. Steering Wheel Warning Light

Steering Wheel Warning Light; In vehicles with hydraulic and / or electric steering systems, problems and failures that occur in the system can be seen on the instrument panel with the red steering wheel mark on the instrument panel.

30. Water in Fuel Filter Warning Light

Water in Fuel Filter Warning Light; This motor warning light indicates that the water level in the fuel filter has increased.

31. Loose Fuel Filler Cap Warning Light

Loose Fuel Filler Cap Warning Light; Check the fuel cap

32. Low washer fluid warning light

Low washer fluid warning light; Car warning light informing the user that the windshield washer liquid has decreased or run out.

33. Service Adaptive Cruise Control Warning Light

Service adaptive cruise control warning light; ACC is currently not available. When safe, stop the vehicle and turn off the engine. Restart the vehicle and check the radar for dirt, ice, etc. Check for obstructions. If the warning lamp stays on, please visit your nearest authorized service facility for assistance.

34. Traction Off Light

Traction off light; Most traction control systems illuminate the warning light when the system detects a loss of traction, such as in snow or rain. Typically, the light is seen when the system intervenes to maintain traction. It’s a good idea to read the chapter in your car owner’s manual to familiarize yourself with how your traction or stability system works.

If the traction control light comes on and stays on without flashing, it means that the traction control system is disabled and there is no traction control. A message may even be issued by the driver information centre, warning that the traction control system has been switched off and that extra care must be exercised, especially when driving on water, ice and snow.

The only way to properly resolve any of the above conditions is to properly diagnose the vehicle at a qualified repair shop. Always have the repair shop do a full computer system scan.

35. Electronic Stability Control Off Warning Light

Electronic stability control off warning light; The ESC system does not work the same in all vehicles. That’s why it’s always important to consult your manufacturer’s manual to understand how yours works. Generally, the ESC light illuminates when the vehicle loses control and stays on when a malfunction is detected or the system is turned off manually.

36. Tire Pressure Monitoring System Tpms Warning Light

Tire pressure monitoring system tpms warning light; The tire pressure in your car is low or there is a problem in the system.

Click for detailed information: https://carwarninglights.net/warning-light/tyre-pressure-monitoring-warning-light/

37. Lane Departure  Warning Light

Lane Departure Warning Light; The lane change light means that it is detected that the vehicle is leaving its current lane without signaling. It can help keep you in your lane.

38. Smart Entry System Indicator Light

Smart Entry System Indicator Light; Indicates a malfunction in the smart entry & start system or The warning lamp informs that the ignition key is faulty.

39. Lane Depature Warning Light

Lane depature warning Light;  It is a warning lamp that lights up when the lane change is made without using the signal in the vehicles produced by today’s technolgy.

40. Suspension Control Warning Light

Suspension Control Warning Light; This warning light will appear if the suspension system fails.

41. Automatic Gearbox Warning Light

Automatic gearbox warning light; If there is a problem with the automatic transmission, this warning light is lit in yellow or red on the instrument panel. If the emergency warning lamp is illuminated when the emergency warning lamp ON, carefully drive the vehicle in the P, R, N, D (forward gears only 3rd and 5th gears) works. It is recommended that you drive your car at low speed and enter the nearest authorized service station.

42. Collision Mitigating Braking System Warning Light

Collision mitigating braking system warning light; The light comes on when the system is turned off, when the radar sensor is dirty or clogged, or when there is a malfunction in the system. In the last case, take the vehicle to your dealer or authorized workshop for diagnosis and repair.

43. Blind Spot İndicator Light

Blind spot indicator light; This light illuminates when a vehicle or obstacle is detected in your blind spot.

44. Pre sense warning light

Pre sense warning light; Pre Sense, uses sensors that trigger the electronic stability control system when the driver applies the brake forcefully. In turn, electric motors tighten or tighten the front seat belts in preparation for a possible accident. In addition, Basic turns on the hazard warning flashers, closes the windows and closes the sunroof (if equipped). This version of Pre Sense does not help the driver avoid collision. Instead, it prepares the cabin for impact to reduce the chance of serious injury should it occur.

45. Hill Descent Control Warning Light

Hill descent control warning light; If the hill descent control indicator light is steady ON, the system is ON and armed and is controlling the vehicle speed. If the hill descent control indicator light is flashing, the system is ON but is not activated and is not controlling vehicle speed.

46. Turn Signal Indicator Light

Turn signal indicator light; Indicates that the signal is on. When you lower the signal arm, the left turn indicates the right turn when you lift it up.

47. Service Stop Start System Warning Light

Service stop start system warning light; Many new car models are equipped with engine stop/start, which helps save fuel by turning your engine off when you’re at a red light. This warning light will appear if there’s something wrong with this system.

48. Cruise Control Indicator Light

Cruise control indicator light; Indicator light to indicate that the cruise control is activated.

49. Headlight On Indicator Light

Headlight on ındicator light; It indicates that the short headlamps and stop lights are on.

50. Dipped Head Lights

Dipped head lights; This sign appears on the front panel when the short headlights are on

51. High Beam Indicator Light Warning Light

High beam indicator light warning light; Indicates that the long beamed headlights are on.

52. Fuel Filter Warning Light

Fuel filter warning light; A warning light that indicates that the fuel filter is dirty or worn. You must clean or replace the fuel filter as soon as possible.

Car Dashboard Symbols and Meanings (Full List)

Attention please !

Car warning lights help drivers stay safe on the road by letting them know that something needs attention. Not all symbols are universal. If you are unsure, please refer to your owner’s manual or contact your dealer.

You can send your questions in the comment section below.