Yellow (sometimes orange) dashboard lightsusually mean something needs to be repaired or serviced soonand to operate with caution. Green (sometimes blue) dashboardlights usually indicate a system is on or isoperating, and the light is giving you a visualcue.
Ford dashboard warning lights are nothing new,but car light symbols and the number of messages theyindicate have increased. Basically, warning lights eithertell you something is on, or indicate that a problem has occurredinside your car's system.
Power Steering Warning Light, Fluid andFailure
This light, a steering wheel andexclamation point, indicates that your vehicle's powersteering fluid levels are low or that there is a fault in thesystem. If the power steering fails, you can still driveyour car or truck, but it will be significantly harder tosteer.This same symbol, an exclamation point in atriangle, in yellow/amber has been used by European andAsian vehicle manufacturers to indicate a fault in the vehicle'sStability Control System, as well as a slip indicator. Click herefor more.
That symbol means you have low tire pressure. Youshould stop the car immediately and check the tire pressures. Ayellow light means a loss of 10% or more in pressure. A redlight shows a large or rapid loss of pressure.
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) isalso known as the Check Engine Light. The OBD2 systemilluminates the light when there is a problem with the car'sengine, transmission or emission control system. The lightturns on only for a reason and you should not ignore it. You shouldalways investigate the cause.
15 Common Warning Lights on Your Car's Dashboard
- Oil Pressure Light.
- Tire Pressure Warning Light.
- Engine Temperature Warning.
- Traction Control Light.
- Anti-lock Brake Warning Light.
- Engine Warning (Check Engine Light)
- Battery Alert.
- Low Fuel Indicator.
Safe to drive: No, you need to stop andcheck your oil level as this light shows whenthere's no oil pressure in the engine. The problem: If thewarning light is on when the oil level is right,there's a problem with the oil supply which could be causedby the oil pump or a blocked oil filter.
If the check engine light comes on:
Look for a serious problem that requires immediateattention. Check your dashboard gauges and lights forindications of low oil pressure or overheating. These conditionsmean you should pull over and shut off the engine as soon asyou can find a safe place to do so.If the check engine light comes on while you'redriving, it can be unnerving. The check engine lightmeans there's a problem somewhere in your emissions system.Regardless, you're safe to drive for now as long as the carisn't performing strangely. Just have the check engine lightchecked and the problem repaired.
Is It Safe to Drive With the Coolant Pressure LightOn?
- First, pull over immediately and turn off your engine.
- Check your coolant level, but don't do it until your engine hascooled down.
- If the level of coolant is low, a mixture of 50% distilledwater and 50% antifreeze can be added.
The blinking key symbol is not for indicating thekey is inside. That is the security system indicatingthat the key is not being read when inserted. Since you havelocked the door, that could mean the security issensing something is lodged inside the lock or the sensoris not working correctly.
How to Reset an Airbag Light
- Put the key into the ignition and turn the switch to the "on"position.
- Watch for the airbag light to turn on. It will stay illuminatedfor seven seconds and then shut itself off. After it shuts off,immediately turn the switch off and wait three seconds.
- Repeat Steps 1 and 2 two more times. Start the engine.
The indicator light stops flash- ing after theregistered key has been inserted into the engine switch toindicate that the system has been can- celed.Vehicles with a smart key system The indicator light flashesafter the “ENGINE START STOP” switch has beenturned off to indicate that the system isoperating.
Once it reaches 5,000 miles again, the“MAINTENANCE REQUIRED” light will turn onagain. While the maintenance reminder system can be used asa reminder to the driver to have the vehicle serviced, it only beused as a guideline that only takes into account how the vehicle isdriven and under what driving conditions.
The routine 5,000-mile service called for by themaintenance required light in a Toyota or Lexus, forexample, includes an engine oil and filter change, tirerotation, multi-point inspection, as well as an inspection andadjustment of all fluids.
However, a Maintenance Required light is alight that comes on after a set amount of miles. It's thereto remind you every so often to check and change things likeyour oil and such. It can usually be reset, whichwill turn it off until the car has recorded that setamount of miles again.
Toyota Maintenance Required Light. This lightcomes on to remind you to change your oil. It comes on5,000 miles after the last time it was reset.
The “Maintenance Required”light on the Toyota Corolla is illuminated when thevehicle has traveled 4,500 miles after it has been reset. If your“Maintenance Required” light is lit butyou no longer need the reminder, you can reset the lightwith these steps.
The maintenance required light isn't present inevery vehicle on the market. Its sole purpose is to remind thedriver that after so many miles the car needs to be taken in forregular maintenance. This can include oil or fluid changes,tire rotations, or changing the spark plugs.
Toyota Maintenance Required Light
- Turn the key to the on position.
- Determine that the odometer reading is displayed.
- Turn the key back off.
- Push and hold the reset button for the trip meters.
- While continuing to depress the reset button, turn the key backto the “on” position, but not so far as the“start” position.
Maintenance Required. The maintenance requiredlight, also known as service required light, istriggered strictly by mileage. The purpose of the maintenancerequired light is to encourage drivers to take their vehicle infor regular scheduled maintenance, such as oil changes,spark plugs, new tires, etc.
