Vehicle Warning Lights

Your complete guide to understanding dashboard warning lights and symbols for all major vehicle brands. Quickly identify what those warning lights mean and what action you should take.

Browse Car Brands by Letter

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A

Acura Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Acura dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Acura dashboard symbols

Audi Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Audi dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Audi dashboard symbols

B

BMW Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious BMW dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the BMW dashboard symbols

C

Chevy Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Chevy dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

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D

Dodge Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Dodge dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Dodge dashboard symbols

F

Ford Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Ford dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Ford dashboard symbols

Freightliner Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Freightliner dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Freightliner dashboard symbols

G

GMC Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious GMC dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the GMC dashboard symbols

H

Honda Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Honda dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Honda dashboard symbols

Hyundai Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Hyundai dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Hyundai dashboard symbols

I

Infiniti Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Infiniti dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Infiniti dashboard symbols

Isuzu Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Isuzu dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Isuzu dashboard symbols

J

Jeep Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Jeep dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Jeep dashboard symbols

K

Kenworth Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Kenworth dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Kenworth dashboard symbols

Kia Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Kia dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Kia dashboard symbols

L

Lexus Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Lexus dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Lexus dashboard symbols

M

Mazda Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Mazda dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Mazda dashboard symbols

Mercedes-Benz Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Mercedes-Benz dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Mercedes-Benz dashboard symbols

Mini-Cooper Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Mini-Cooper dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Mini-Cooper dashboard symbols

N

Nissan Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Nissan dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Nissan dashboard symbols

S

Subaru Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Subaru dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Subaru dashboard symbols

T

Toyota Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Toyota dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Toyota dashboard symbols

V

Volvo Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious Volvo dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the Volvo dashboard symbols

VW Warning Lights and Meanings

That mysterious VW dashboard light—financial emergency or minor alert? Most drivers can't tell the difference, wasting time and money from uncertainty. Decode these symbols once, drive with confidence forever.

Check the VW dashboard symbols

Understanding Vehicle Warning Lights

Modern vehicles are equipped with sophisticated computer systems that monitor everything from engine performance to tire pressure. When these systems detect an issue, they alert the driver through warning lights on the dashboard.

Warning lights typically come in five colors:

  • Red: Indicates a serious issue that requires immediate attention. You should stop driving as soon as it's safe to do so.
  • Amber/Yellow: Suggests a less urgent problem that should be checked soon, but doesn't require immediate action.
  • Green: Usually informational, indicating that a system is active or functioning normally.
  • Blue: Usually informational, indicating features like high beam headlights or coolant temperature.
  • White: Usually informational, indicating that certain systems or features are currently active.

Understanding what these lights mean can help you respond appropriately, potentially avoiding expensive repairs or dangerous situations.

Common Warning Lights Across All Brands

Check Engine Light

Indicates an issue with the engine or emissions system. Severity varies from minor to serious.

Brake Warning Light

Signals low brake fluid, engaged parking brake, or a problem with the braking system.

Battery/Charging Alert

Indicates an issue with the vehicle's charging system or battery.

Oil Pressure Warning

Signals low oil pressure, which can cause serious engine damage if ignored.

Tire Pressure Warning

Indicates one or more tires have pressure that's too low or too high.

ABS Warning

Signals a problem with the Anti-lock Braking System.