Indicator lights in the car: An overview

Assistance systems and aids for drivers are becoming more and more common. Partially autonomous driving in modern cars is already part of everyday life and many drivers rely on these features. As a result, there are more and more warning and control lights that appear in certain situations. It would be good to know them – it is inevitable that you don’t remember them all and that some of them are forgotten. In general, the warning lights can be differentiated by color for clarity. In all cars there are red, yellow, green, blue and white lights and they have a specific meaning depending on the color.

Red indicator light

If something lights up red, this indicates an acute and more serious problem. Most of the time, this is a malfunction or a malfunction. The red warning light should not be ignored. The best thing to do is to stop the vehicle immediately and not move it until you can be sure what the exact problem is.

Yellow indicator light

A yellow or sometimes orange symbol indicates that there is something wrong with the vehicle or a system and that a workshop should be visited as soon as possible. The tire pressure warning light or the fuel tank symbol are also yellow – of course, this does not require a visit to the mechanic.

Green indicator light

This color usually indicates that a particular system or function is activated.

Blue indicator light

A blue light represents the high beam

White indicator light

White symbols are instructions and recommendations relating to the vehicle. For example, how to increase the range of an electric car or when the next inspection is due.

General control and warning lights

All important indicator lights, their exact warnings and what to do next can be found in the owner’s manual of the respective vehicle. It is important to familiarize yourself with this before setting off in an unfamiliar car. An overview of important general warning lights can be found here:

ABS warning light

The anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking during emergency braking, thus increasing the risk of an accident. If the system fails or is malfunctioning, the warning light will come on and you should visit a workshop immediately.

Airbag warning light

This light appears when the passenger airbag, other airbags or the associated sensors are defective or the control unit has a fault. Since a functioning airbag can save lives in accident situations, it is essential that you visit a workshop.

Seat belt warning light

The illuminated symbol indicates that passengers are not wearing seat belts or that a heavy object is on a seat. This symbol is usually also linked to an acoustic warning signal.

Battery indicator light

If this symbol lights up, it means that the voltage in the battery is too low. The cause may be insufficient charging of the battery, a broken or slipped V-belt, a defective voltage regulator or a general problem with the battery. If the V-belt is broken and this is the cause, we do not recommend continuing to drive. If the V-belt appears to be OK, the symbol should still not be ignored and you should visit a workshop.

Warning light for the brake system

The red symbol indicates whether the handbrake is on or not. If the warning light does not go out when the handbrake is released, it would be advisable to call the breakdown service, as there may be a defect in the braking system.

Brake wear indicator light

The symbol differs from the warning light for the brake system only in its color and is usually yellow or orange instead of red. The indicator light comes on when the vehicle’s brake pads are close to the wear limit or the brake fluid level is too low. Here too, it is advisable to visit a workshop as soon as possible and have the brakes and brake fluid checked.

ESP indicator light

The orange symbol lights up when you switch the ESP function on or off. If the symbol flashes while driving, it is active at that moment and the system is trying to stabilize the vehicle, for example on slippery roads. This is also a reminder to reduce speed and adapt your general driving style to the conditions. If the symbol lights up permanently, this indicates a defect.

Coolant temperature warning light

Similar to the oil level warning light, this symbol can light up for a variety of reasons. Too little coolant, a defective sensor or V-belt, or a broken water pump can cause the temperature of the cooling circuit in the engine to rise rapidly. In this case, you should park the vehicle as quickly as possible, switch off the engine, and let it cool down. To help, you can top up the coolant. If you don’t have any on hand, water will do the trick in a pinch. If the indicator does not go out, you should go to a workshop. If the indicator flashes blue, it means that the coolant has not yet reached the optimal operating temperature. You can then drive carefully at low speeds until the symbol stops flashing.

Oil level warning light

If the oil pressure in the engine is too low or the oil filter is clogged, this symbol lights up. A defective oil pump or a leak in the oil circuit could also be the cause. Since continuing to drive could lead to possible engine damage, it is highly advisable to stop immediately and inform a breakdown service.

Tire pressure warning light

The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sounds an alarm when the air pressure in at least one tire is too low. For this reason, you should drive to the nearest gas station and check the tire pressure on the wheels. The exact manufacturer’s information can be found in the owner’s manual or often on the side of the door frame. If the display does not go out, there is a problem with the sensors.

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