The cars of today are impressively kitted out with the latest engine management technology, including your vehicle’s warning lights. Every modern car uses these and they’re the most effective tool for keeping your motor running reliably all year round.
It’s therefore important to get familiar with what a warning light means, should one illuminate on your dashboard. In all cases it’s recommended to pull over as soon as possible and take the necessary action to fix the problem. In this way, you’ll avoid a complete system failure or serious breakdown. Afterall, solving simple engine issues saves motorists hundreds of pounds in repair bills and roadside call outs every year.
Airbag warning light
When airbags were introduced they were the biggest step forward in occupant safety in over a decade. This means, if your airbag warning light illuminates it’s more than worth your time to have it looked at by a professional.
The airbag warning light indicates that the airbag is faulty and could potentially deploy without warning or worse still, not deploy at all in the event of a crash. Both scenarios could lead to serious injury and a prematurely deployed airbag is expensive to rectify.
Battery charge warning light
Battery charge warning lights illuminate on starting the car and then go out. If the light stays on, you could have a fault in your electrical system.
The problem could be the alternator, battery, bad connections, damaged cables or corroded terminals. When a fault with the electrics prevents the car from charging its own battery, the car will eventually run out of its onboard electricity supply and come to a stop.
Further still, if the alternator is faulty or a belt connected to the alternator has broken, you may experience issues with the power steering and the coolant pump. These systems use the alternator belt to run, so don’t ignore your battery charge warning light.
Brake system/fluid warning light
Brake system/fluid lights are possibly the most important warning light because your car’s brakes are its most important safety feature. If it illuminates, have the brakes assessed by a professional and get them fixed as soon as possible.
Coolant warning light
The coolant warning light is a simple warning to top up your coolant fluid. Once illuminated, park the car when it is safe to do so and check the coolant tank under the bonnet. Fill to the recommended level marked on the tank. Ideally, you should check the coolant level at regular intervals along with oil level, screen wash and tyre pressures. Without coolant your engine will seize solid and will be irreparable.
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) warning light
Today’s diesels are fitted with diesel particulate filters which do the job of removing large quantities of soot and particulates from exhaust gases. This greatly reduces the vehicle’s emissions.
Not only could you be breaking the law with regards to particulates emissions, you could be causing untold damage to your engine. Blocked DPFs are costly to replace, so the earlier yours is checked over the better.
ECU/ engine warning light
Engine warning lights can indicate anything from a faulty electrical sensor to a more serious mechanical issue with the engine. When the light illuminates you will probably notice a lack of responsiveness in the engine or a lack of power overall. If this happens, do not fret too soon, as your car could have put itself into a ‘safe mode’ to protect its engine from further damage.
To have the cause of the light looked over, take your car to the nearest garage who will be able to diagnose the problem before it causes further expense.
Oil warning light
A low level of oil, low oil pressure or high oil temperature causes the oil warning light to illuminate. Like the coolant warning light, the oil warning light is usually put right by stopping the car and topping up the engine oil. However, if your engine develops low oil pressure for whatever reason, this is a serious problem and must be checked by a professional. The oil in your engine keeps it running smooth and cool, so pay attention to your oil level as part of a regular levels check.
Power steering/ EPAS warning light
A power steering or ‘EPAS’ warning light means there’s a fault with the steering system. Of course, this is a serious issue and needs to be corrected swiftly. If the power steering fails the wheel will become ‘heavy’ and require far more effort to turn. This is a nuisance when driving slow, but a real safety risk at high speeds.
Tyre pressure warning light
More and more vehicles are being fitted with tyre pressure sensors. Typically, this will indicate a puncture or other loss of tyre pressure and therefore prevents you from driving on the rims, damaging them and the tyre. Never drive on tyres that are inadequately filled. Stop and check them immediately.
If you need assistance with warning lights that have illuminated in your vehicle, do not hesitate to contact the experts at Universal Tyres – the tyre and autocentre specialists. Our professional and friendly staff will have you back on the road in no time. To avoid warning lights all together, make sure to have regular servicing for your vehicle from an experienced technician. We have over 90 years of experience. So, for the best auto services in London, Essex and the South East, call Universal Tyres today or use our handy branch finder.