Modern cars – especially European ones – are stacked with tech and sensors. It’s great for keeping you safe and your car running well, but it also means your dashboard has a lot to say! Some dashboard lights are friendly reminders; others are your car’s way of screaming “Stop and help me!”.
Here’s a plain language guide to what those dashboard warning lights mean, and what you should do when one shows up.
What the colours mean
Think of your dashboard warning lights like a traffic light system:
- Green or blue = informational. Stress less! These lights are just letting you know that something is active, like your high-beams, cruise control, lane assist, or indicators.
- Yellow or orange = heads up. Stress a bit, but not a lot! Something needs your attention soon, but it’s usually safe to keep driving. Book your car in for a service as soon as you can.
- Red = warning. Stop! Something serious is going on. Pull over safely and call us or your roadside assistance provider.
Let’s take a look at some of the common dashboard warning symbols.
It’s time to pay attention (but don’t panic!)
Yellow or orange warning lights on the dash are like a heads up that saves you from expensive repairs or delays. Common examples include:
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DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) warning
What it means: Your diesel engine’s DPF is clogged.
What to do: Often comes up if you’ve done a lot of short trips. Sometimes a good long highway run can help clear it, but if the light stays on, book in a service. Ignoring it too long can lead to expensive repairs.
Commonly seen in: Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen diesels.
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AdBlue® warning
What it means: The car’s low on AdBlue® (diesel exhaust fluid).
What to do: Top it up soon. If it runs out completely, most vehicles won’t restart until it’s refilled.
Commonly seen in: Late-model diesel Mercedes, BMW, VW, Peugeot.
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Lane departure / driver assistance warning
What it means: There’s an issue with one of the driver assist systems (lane keep, radar cruise, etc).
What to do: It might just be a dirty camera or sensor, but could also mean a system has failed or been manually disabled. Worth checking if it’s a feature you rely on, or if the warning light persists.
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Exterior lighting warning
What it means: One of your exterior lights (headlight, brake light, indicator, etc.) is out.
What to do: European cars often have systems that alert you to even a single blown globe. Helpful and worth sorting before it becomes a roadworthy issue!
Warning! Warning!
Red warning lights should not be ignored, particularly if they’re flashing! Red dashboard warning lights to keep an eye out for include:
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Oil pressure warning
What it means: Your engine isn’t getting enough oil pressure.
What to do: Driving on could destroy your engine, so pull over safely, turn off your engine and call us. Topping up your oil may help short-term, but we wouldn’t be gambling with this one.
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Coolant temperature warning
What it means: Your engine is overheating.
What to do: An overheating engine could be an indicator of any number of things: low coolant, a thermostat problem, or worse… Pull over safely, stop the engine and let things cool off. Book in quickly before your problem stops you entirely.
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Battery warning
What it means: Your car isn’t charging itself and you’ll soon run out of power..
What to do: You might be looking at a battery, wiring or alternator issue. Drop in and see us ASAP.
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Brake warning
What it means: You might be low on brake fluid, have worn pads or a system fault.
What to do: Brakes are critical safety features, so if you’re seeing red, don’t risk it. If you the warning light is accompanied by a weird pedal feel, pull over immediately.
We know what your car’s really saying
Parliamo fluentemente ‘l’Auto’. Wir sprechen fließend ‘Auto’. At Cox Auto, we work with European cars all day, every day, so we speak their (car) languages fluently. We’ve seen just about every warning light combination there is, so if your dashboard is lighting up and you’re not sure what it means, we’ll sort it. Quickly, properly, and without the dealership markup.
Ignoring small warning signs can lead to costly breakdowns. If you notice unusual noises, reduced fuel efficiency, or dashboard warning lights, it’s time to bring your car in for an inspection. We’ll even keep you on the road with a loan car or van, free of charge, so you can get on with life while we take care of your vehicle.
Ready for peace of mind? Book your service today.
