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Service Light (SERV, Service Due, Wrench): What It Means and When to Book Maintenance When a service light or “SERV” / “service due” message pops up on your dashboard, it can be confusing. The car is still driving fine, but something is clearly asking for attention. Knowing what this reminder actually means helps you avoid […]
Airbag Warning Light: What It Means and Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It When the airbag warning light comes on, your car is telling you there’s a problem with the supplemental restraint system (SRS) that protects you in a crash. Unlike some other dashboard symbols, this one is directly tied to your safety, not just convenience […]
TPMS Tire Pressure Light: What It Means and Why It Matters When your TPMS tire pressure light pops up on the dashboard, it’s easy to ignore it for a while. But that small yellow icon is warning you that one or more tires may be underinflated, which can affect safety, fuel economy, and tire life. […]
ESP / ESC / Traction Control Light: Why It Comes On When the ESP / ESC / traction control light comes on, your car is telling you something important about stability and grip. Sometimes that light is normal, other times it’s a warning that a safety system isn’t working correctly. This guide explains what ESP/ESC […]
Power Steering Warning Light: Common Causes and How Urgent It Is When the power steering warning light comes on, your steering system is telling you something is wrong. Depending on your vehicle, that light may look like a steering wheel icon, sometimes with an exclamation point, or simply say “PS” or “EPS.” This light matters […]
The ABS warning light is one of the most misunderstood indicators on a vehicle’s dashboard. While it doesn’t mean your brakes have stopped working, it does signal that your car’s anti-lock braking system is no longer available to assist you during hard or slippery braking. Understanding what the light means, how it impacts braking safety, […]
What the brake warning light means The brake warning light is one of the most critical red indicators on a U.S. dashboard. It can represent two very different conditions: a parking brake that isn’t fully released or a hydraulic brake system fault that could compromise stopping ability. Because both conditions trigger the same core warning, […]
The engine temperature warning light is one of the most critical alerts on your dashboard. When it turns on, your vehicle is telling you the engine is running hotter than it should—sometimes dangerously so. Because overheating can quickly cause major engine damage, this warning demands immediate attention. Understanding what the light means, why it activates, […]
When the red oil pressure warning light turns on, your engine is potentially seconds away from serious damage. This is not a “finish the trip” light. It is a stop now warning. In U.S. dashboards, a solid red symbol almost always means you should stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe. This guide […]
Quick Summary The battery warning light means your vehicle’s charging system is not producing enough voltage. While a dying battery can trigger it, the most common cause is a failing alternator or an issue with the serpentine belt that drives it. Once the light is on, your car is running purely on stored battery power […]
The check engine light (CEL) remains one of the most common—and misunderstood—yellow dashboard warnings. Because it covers engine management, ignition, air–fuel mixture control, and emissions systems, its meaning ranges from minor to urgent. This guide breaks down why the CEL appears, how serious it may be, how it affects U.S. inspections, and what to do […]
Quick Summary Yellow dashboard lights alert you to a developing issue, reduced system performance, or a condition that needs scheduled attention. They are not emergency-red alerts, but they signal that a system requires evaluation soon to maintain safety, emissions compliance, or reliability. Yellow warnings commonly involve the engine management system, ABS, traction control/ESC, tire pressure […]
Red dashboard warning lights are the highest-level alerts found in modern vehicles. When one appears, it usually means a system essential to safety, engine protection, or vehicle control has encountered a critical issue. Whether you are cruising on the highway or pulling out of your driveway, knowing which red warning symbols require an immediate stop—and […]
Quick Summary Dashboard light colors follow a safety hierarchy used in modern U.S. vehicles. Red means stop safely, yellow means check soon, and green/blue confirm a system is active. Flashing versions signal elevated urgency. The color provides immediate context for risk before you interpret the icon’s shape. For symbol-by-symbol coverage, visit our complete dashboard warning […]