# Dashboard warning lights and what they mean

The colour tells you how urgent it is. Red means stop as soon as it is safe. Amber means get it checked soon. Green and blue are just information.

## All warning lights

| Light | Colour | What it means | Verdict |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [ABS warning light](/warning-lights/abs) | Amber | The ABS light means the anti-lock brake system has found a fault and turned itself off. | Drive to a shop this week |
| [Airbag (SRS) warning light](/warning-lights/airbag) | Red | The airbag or SRS light means the airbag computer found a fault and may have turned off some or all airbags. | Drive to a shop this week |
| [Battery (charging system) warning light](/warning-lights/battery) | Red | The battery light means the charging system is not keeping the battery charged, and most often the alternator or the belt that drives it has failed. | Drive to a shop this week |
| [Brake warning light](/warning-lights/brake) | Red | The red brake warning light most often means the parking brake is still on. | Stop driving |
| [Check engine light](/warning-lights/check-engine) | Amber | The check engine light means the engine computer has stored a diagnostic trouble code for an emissions, engine or transmission fault. | Drive to a shop this week |
| [Coolant temperature warning light](/warning-lights/coolant-temperature) | Red | A red coolant temperature light means the engine is overheating or about to. | Stop driving |
| [Oil pressure warning light](/warning-lights/oil-pressure) | Red | The red oil pressure light means oil pressure has dropped too low to protect the engine. | Stop driving |
| [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering) | Amber | The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. | Drive to a shop this week |
| [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](/warning-lights/tire-pressure) | Amber | A steady tire pressure light means one or more tires is significantly underinflated, usually 25% or more below the pressure on the driver door sticker. | Drive to a shop this week |
| [Traction control light](/warning-lights/traction-control) | Amber | A flashing traction control light is normal: it means the system is cutting power or braking a wheel to stop it from spinning on a slippery surface. | Drive to a shop this week |

## What do the colours mean?

| Colour | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Red | A fault that can damage the engine or affect safety | Stop as soon as it is safe and check before driving on |
| Amber / yellow | A system needs attention or has switched off | Drive carefully and have it checked soon |
| Green / blue | A system is on (headlights, cruise control) | Nothing; it is information |

## Frequently asked questions

### What does it mean when a warning light flashes?

A flashing light is more urgent than a steady one. A flashing check engine light, for example, means a misfire bad enough to damage the catalytic converter: reduce speed and get it checked right away.

### Why do all the warning lights come on when I start the car?

That is a bulb check. The car lights every warning for a second or two at start-up to show the bulbs work; they should go out once the engine is running. A light that stays on is the one to look up.

### Are warning light symbols the same on every car?

The main ones (oil, battery, temperature, brake, check engine, ABS, airbag, tire pressure) use standard ISO symbols and look much the same on every car. Less common lights vary by make, so check your owner's manual if a symbol is not listed here.

## Trouble codes

- [All OBD-II codes](https://diagxcar.com/codes)
- [Symptoms](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms)

---

Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights
General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.