For safety reasons, car dashboards are equipped with indicator lights. When they light up, this could indicate a myriad of reasons ranging from small issues like a loose petrol cap or signal a more severe problem which needs to be dealt with immediately.
Here are 10 common car dashboard symbols and what you should do when they light up
1. Engine temperature indicator light
What it means: Your engine is overheating
Cause: Overheating can be caused by several issues such as low coolant levels, leaks in the cooling system or a faulty radiator fan or thermostat
What you should do:
Pull over immediately when it is safe to do so
Let the engine cool down
Top up the engine’s coolant if necessary. If you don’t have a bottle of coolant on hand, water will work as a temporary fix
If you need to continue driving, turn up the heater and blower to transfer the heat from the engine into the cabin
2. Oil pressure indicator light
Oops! Your Engine’s Oil Pressure Is Low
What it’s telling you: Your car’s oil pressure sensor is nudging you—“Hey, we’re dropping below normal. Time to act!”
Why it Happens
- Low oil level – the Hydra in your engine’s tank ran dry.
- More serious culprits – a busted oil pump or a clogged filter can throw a wrench into the machine.
Quick Fix Checklist
- Pull over safely. Find a flat spot, turn off the engine, and breathe a sigh of relief.
- Check the oil. Open the dipstick, make sure it sits in the “optimum” zone. If it’s shy, refill with the right grade.
- Still low? Don’t keep the engine humming like a malfunctioning drum. Call a mechanic—protection is better than embarrassment.
Remember: Don’t roll with a low‑oil engine. Your wheels will thank you, and so will your car’s longevity.
3. Battery charge indicator light
Battery’s Solo Act: What It’s Telling You
When the Battery Goes on a “Self‑Charge” Roadtrip
Imagine your car’s battery deciding to run its own merry-go-round, refusing to let the alternator help out. That’s exactly what this warning means: the battery is powering everything on its own and not getting recharged while you’re driving.
Why This Happens
1. Old Battery – Most car batteries last about 3 to 5 years. If yours is hitting that age, it may be flirting with retirement.
2. Trouble with the Alternator – The alternator might be pulling a low‑energy prank or its belt could have slipped out of sync.
3. Cable or Connection Issues – Loose or corroded wires can choke the charging flow.
How to Keep Your Ride on the Road
- Cut the Extras – Turn off anything that pulls power: splash the air‑conditioning, dim the radio, and switch the headlights to “off” mode.
- Keep It Rolling – Drive on until you’re at a safe spot where you can check the battery, the alternator, or get help.
Remember, your car’s battery loves to “save its energy” when it feels everyone else might “steal” it. Give it the back‑up it deserves and you’ll avoid a sudden drop on the road.
4. Brake indicator light
What it means: Your handbrake is engaged or there is a problem with the brake system
Cause: This might be due to loss in brake fluid due to worn brake pads, a leak in the brake hydraulic system or a faulty ABS speed sensor
What you should do:
Check if your handbrake is completely disengaged
If the light stays on, blinking intermittently, or you feel a loss in brake pedal resistance, pull over immediately and call for a tow truck
5. Airbag indicator light
What it means: There is an issue with your airbags
Cause: Small accidents might trigger your car’s crash sensors to activate without deploying your airbags. Corroded sensors, damaged airbag clock springs and wet airbag modules are also other causes for your airbag indicator to light up
What you should do:
Bring your car to a workshop to have it checked out and reset
6. Check engine indicator light
What the Check Engine Light Is Trying to Tell You
If your dashboard starts flashing that infamous green symbol, you’re not just seeing a cute car icon—your engine is signaling a mix of small annoyances and a few potential red flags. Let’s break down what’s probably going on and what you can do before it turns into a full-blown road trip scare.
Possible Causes (From “Oops!” to “Hold My Coke!”)
Think of the check engine light as your car’s way of raising an eyebrow. It could be triggered by something as trivial as a loose petrol filler cap or something more dangerous like a damaged catalytic converter. In short, it’s a broad umbrella that covers everything from a dangling power plug to a more serious engine whimper.
What to Do Right Now (Your “Quick Fix” Playbook)
- Tighten the Gas Cap: The simplest check—make sure your tank cover is snug. A loose cap can easily spark that light.
- Notice a Performance Drop? If your car suddenly feels slower or skips a beat, pull back a little speed and keep an eye on how it responds.
- Plug in an OBD‑II Code Reader: Grab a cheap reader or bring your vehicle to a shop to decode the trouble itself. Knowing the exact error code is like having a GPS for your engine’s hiccup.
- Keep Track of Blinkiness: A blinking light means the problem is urgent—don’t ignore it. If you see a steady light that later starts blinking, that’s a sign it’s escalating.
- Game Over? Bring It in: When the light stays on or starts flashing, take your car to a professional for a diagnostics check.
Fun Fact: The Check Engine Light Gave Me a Snapchat Filter
Agree—seeing your car’s health app suddenly pop up on your route is one of the quirkiest ways technology nudges us to pay attention. So treat it like a friendly reminder that even your vehicle appreciates a regular health check. And if you’re feeling adventurous, just tighten that cap—step #1—and you’ll be back on the road in no time.
7. ABS indicator light
What it means: There is an issue with your car’s Anti-Lock Braking System. Your brakes will still work, but the ABS might not engage if you need to make an emergency stop
Cause: The ABS indicator could be triggered by several issues such as a faulty emergency brake, loss in brake hydraulic pressure or a damaged speed sensor
What you should do:
Avoid braking too quickly or aggressively
Brake slowly when necessary
If the light stays on, bring your car to a workshop to look at it as soon as possible
8. Tyre pressure indicator light
What it means: One or more of your tyres are running low on pressure
Cause: There could be an air leak caused by a puncture on your tyres. It could also be a cause of improper fitment of tyres or an incorrect installation of the tyre pressure gauge
What you should do:
Check for any nails and punctures as soon as possible
Determine and identify the cause of pressure loss
Head to your nearest petrol station to fill your tyres with air
If the indicator light flashes, it is an indication that your tyre pressure indicator has a sensor fault. Bring it to a workshop to get it corrected
9. Traction control indicator light
The Flashing Light: What’s Going On?
Flashy! It’s the TCS in action: When that little lamp starts dancing, your car’s traction control system is saying, “Hey, grab me, buddy!” It’s working its magic to keep you from sliding like a disco dancer.
Why the Blink?
The dashboard’s little prankster is usually triggered by slippery streets—think puddles, ice, or a slick oil spill. But if it keeps flashing, it might be screaming that there’s a problem with the wheel‑speed sensors or the steering‑angle sensors. Those are the sensors that tell your car how much you’re turning and how fast it’s moving.
What to Do (Without a Brain Freeze)
- Drive slow and steady—like a baby deer on a slow lane.
- If the light keeps going, hit up a workshop. Let a pro check those sensors before the car starts acting like a wild stallion.
10. Smart key low battery light
What it means: Your smart key needs a battery replacement
Cause: Your smart key is running low on battery
What you should do:
Head to a key and remote merchant to change your batteries
Or replace it yourself if you know how to (refer to car manual for correct information on what type of battery to use)
This article was first published in sgCarMart.
CarsTipsLifestyle
