Have you ever wondered exactly what all of your dashboard lights mean? Many motorists are driving around completely unaware of what all of the lights mean and this is dangerous because many communicate important messages that all motorists should be aware of when behind the wheel. So, here is a look at a few of the lesser-known lights and what they mean (keep in mind that your dashboard may differ with different designs/colours etc).
Warning Symbols
The most important are the warning symbols which indicate potential problems and safety issues which should always be checked by a professional. These include the engine temperature warning light which communicates that the coolant is overheating, the oil pressure warning light and the battery charge warning. Other important warning symbols include the brake warning light (this means you have left your handbrake on or the car is low on brake fluid), the airbag indicator and the seatbelt indicator.
Safety Symbols
The safety symbols are typically yellow but could be different in your own car. They include engine warning (could be minor but should always be checked), traction control (car is losing grip) and the ABS indicator (a fault with the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)). The other safety symbols include tire pressure warning and the glow plug indicator (engine is cold in a diesel).
Common Symbols
Other symbols which are not quite as critical but are still communicating important messages are common symbols which can be a range of different colours. These include the high beam light indicator, the low windshield fluid indicator, low fuel indicator and service reminder.
Checking the Lights
As you can see, these are all important messages with some being particularly critical and will require immediate action. One of the most important things to do when looking over a used car from either a private seller or dealer like AA Cars is to check that all of these lights and to take the car for a test drive to see if any light up whilst the vehicle is in use. In addition to this, you should always read the service history notes to make sure that everything is in order too.
There are many lights on the dashboard which can make it confusing, but it is important for motorists to understand what these mean as they all communicate important messages about the vehicle and in some cases these will be information that needs immediate attention.