Dashboard warning lights are meant to alert you to a problem with your vehicle, but what do you do when you don’t know exactly what that light is telling you? The first thing to note about a dashboard light is this… If the light that is on is “red,” it indicates a serious problem and you should safely pull over to the side of the road and call for assistance. If the light is “amber” or “yellow,” your vehicle needs attention and it should be scheduled for service/repair as soon as possible.
Here’s some information on the critical warning dashboard lights:
The Oil Pressure Light comes on when there is a drop in engine oil pressure. It indicates the greatest potential for serious mechanical damage. If it stays on, pull over to a safe location and call for assistance. If you continue to drive, what might be a minor issue could turning into a complete engine replacement. This light is not an oil level indicator and shouldn’t be ignored.
The Engine Temperature Light is another critical warning light (indicated by its red color). When illuminated, this light means the engine temperature has exceeded the safe maximum. Unless the temperature drops, major engine damage can result. Pull over to a safe location and seek immediate help. Do NOT attempt to open the radiator cap while the engine is hot.
If your vehicle’s Brake Warning Light is illuminated, it is NOT safe to drive. Safely pull over to the side of the road and check to make sure your emergency brake is not engaged. If it isn’t the problem could be a drop in hydraulic pressure and the brakes may be near total failure. Call for assistance. For more information on brakes and how to tell if your vehicle needs a brake job, visit the Brake Service page of our website.