Four Dashboard Warning Lights You Shouldn’t Ignore

Your car’s dashboard is probably a part you rarely think about. That’s because it generally looks the same each time you drive in Lawrenceville unless something is amiss. When issues arise, so too do the warning lights on your car’s dashboard. You should never ignore those indicators, as they can tell you that you left your trunk open, you’re running low on gas, or something more serious. If you’re currently staring at your dashboard wondering, “What does the light on my dashboard mean?”, Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Duluth provides more information in the guide below. Read on to learn more about the different warning lights and what they mean.

Red Exclamation Point Inside a Circle

If your dashboard displays a red exclamation point enclosed in a circle and inside of parentheses, this indicates that there is a problem with your brakes. In addition to, or instead of seeing this symbol, you might also see the word “brake” in red letters, also displayed via dashboard lights. Either way, this indicator is associated with brake problems, and they could be so severe that it’s not safe to drive your car in Johns Creek. Instead of taking the chance and continuing on your way after seeing this light, you should head to a local service center immediately for a full brake check.

A Temperature Gauge On Top of Wavy Lines

This is yet another scarlet-colored indicator that something is wrong with your car. In this case, there’s an issue with the motor. When this light illuminates, it’s telling you that your engine is running too hot. This warning light roughly looks like a thermometer on top of wavy lines. Usually, the thermometer also has three bars extending out from the right side of the icon.

Driving with an overheated engine could ruin your car’s mechanics, not to mention cause a potentially dangerous explosion. If you see this warning light illuminate, pull to the side of the road as soon as it’s safe to do so and turn the engine off so it can cool down, or if it’s safe to do so, you can continue to run the car with the heat turned on to help pull some heat off the engine. Use your good judgment – if you’re seeing smoke, turn the engine fully off. After that, call a towing service to help you get to a mechanic you trust to inspect your vehicle.

What Does a Wrench Light Mean?

As you drive in Suwanee, you might notice a yellow or green warning light that features a wrench with the open portion pointed upward, or a symbol of a car with a wrench lying vertically in the center of it. What does the wrench light mean? Both of these symbols indicate that your car needs service. Usually, it’s because of some sort of time-based milestone not being met, or there’s a fault with the car that needs professional attention.

If you see these wrench-related symbols, don’t just brush them off by deciding you can deal with them later. Driving your car when it has a fault or is otherwise not in top condition could seriously compromise the amount of use and enjoyment you get from it. A professional can see what’s causing the wrench warning lights to illuminate, and will explain what needs to be done to get your car in better shape.

A Red Oil Can with a Drop of Oil

If you see a red oil can light accompanied by a drop of oil, it’s the oil pressure warning light. This generally comes on if your car’s oil level is low or it has an issue with the oil pressure system.

Visit Us to Take Care of Warning Lights

If any of the warning lights we discussed here are appearing on your dashboard and you’re asking yourself, “What does the light on my dashboard mean?”, you can count on the certified mechanics at our service center for help. Our team has the skills and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure your vehicle is properly cared for in a timely manner.

Contact us with questions about your warning lights or to schedule an appointment, and be sure to check out our service specials beforehand! Have other service questions in the meantime? Consult our online service tips for advice you can trust on tire rotation frequency and more.