Guides
32 guides from Dashboard Warnings.
Driver assistance warnings: lane assist, emergency braking and cruise
Warnings for lane-keeping, autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise often mean a sensor is blocked. How to clear them and when to worry.
Glow plug warning light on diesel cars
The coil-shaped light on a diesel normally shows briefly before starting. When it flashes or stays on, here is what it means.
OBD-II code readers vs garage diagnostics: what a home scanner can and can't tell you
How plug-in OBD code readers work, what the fault codes mean, where they fall short of professional diagnostics, and how to use one sensibly.
Oil pressure warning light: why you should stop
The red oil-can light means oil pressure has dropped. Why it is one of the most serious warnings, what to check and when to call for help.
Low fuel warning light: how far can you go?
The fuel pump light means you are on reserve. Why the 'miles to empty' figure is only an estimate and the risks of running low, especially on motorways.
Exterior bulb failure warning light
A light bulb symbol with an exclamation mark means an exterior lamp has failed. How to find which bulb, the law and the MOT.
How to find what your car's warning light means
Symbols vary between makes. Where to find the official meaning for your car's lights: the handbook, digital manuals, apps and the dealer.
ABS warning light: can you still brake?
The amber ABS light means anti-lock braking is not working. Normal brakes should still work, but here is what to watch for and how it affects the MOT.
Traction control and stability control (ESC) lights
A car with skid marks: flashing means the system is working, steady means a fault or that it has been switched off.
Engine temperature warning light: what to do if your car overheats
The red thermometer light means the engine is too hot. Safe steps to take, why you must not open a hot radiator cap and common causes.
Brake pad wear warning light
A circle with dashed lines on each side means your brake pads are worn. How long you have and why you should not delay.
Service due indicator: what the spanner light means
A spanner or 'service due' message is a reminder, not a fault. How service intervals work and how to reset the light.
Seatbelt reminder light and chime
The red seatbelt symbol and chime remind occupants to belt up. The law, fines, passenger sensors and false alarms.
Battery and charging warning light
The red battery light usually means the car is not charging its battery, not that the battery is flat. Causes and what to do.
Digital dashboards: how warnings work on a digital instrument display
How warning lights and messages work on digital instrument clusters, and how to find warnings you have dismissed.
Power steering warning light
The steering wheel light means power steering assistance has a fault. Steering will feel heavy. What to do and what causes it.
What warning lights really cost: why acting early is cheaper
Why repair bills for the same warning light vary so widely, what drives the cost, how to get a fair diagnosis and quote, and when an early fix saves money.
Oil pressure vs oil level warning lights: the difference
Red oil pressure light means stop now; amber oil level means top up soon. How to check and top up your oil safely.
AdBlue warning light
Diesels with SCR need AdBlue. What the warning means, how to top up and why the car may refuse to start if it runs out.
Gearbox and transmission warning lights
A gear symbol or a thermometer-in-gear light warns of an automatic gearbox fault or overheating. What to do and limp mode explained.
Key, immobiliser and security warning lights
A car-and-key or padlock symbol relates to the immobiliser. Why it flashes when parked, and what it means if the car will not start.
Brake warning light: the handbrake symbol that is not always the handbrake
The red brake warning light can mean the parking brake is on, brake fluid is low or there is a brake system fault. How to tell the difference.
Airbag (SRS) warning light
An airbag light that stays on means the airbags may not deploy in a crash. Common causes and why it should be fixed promptly.
Car warning lights explained: what each colour and symbol means
A UK driver's guide to dashboard warning lights: what red, amber and green mean, which lights mean stop now, and what to do next.
Which dashboard warning lights fail an MOT?
Since May 2018 several dashboard warning lights mean an automatic MOT failure in Great Britain. The list, and why.
Engine management light (check engine): what it means
The amber engine-shaped light means the engine computer has logged a fault. Steady versus flashing, common causes, what to do and MOT rules.
The snowflake (frost) warning light
A snowflake on the dashboard warns that the outside temperature is near freezing. What it means for driving and why it is not a fault.
Tyre pressure (TPMS) warning light
The horseshoe-with-exclamation light means a tyre may be low. How to check, how to reset, and the MOT rule for cars from 2012.
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) warning light
The DPF light means the filter in a diesel exhaust is getting blocked. How regeneration works and what driving helps clear it.
Warning lights on electric cars
EV-specific warnings: tortoise or reduced-power mode, high-voltage system faults, 12 V battery warnings and charging alerts.
Door, bonnet and boot open warning lights
A car with open doors on the dashboard means a door, bonnet or boot is not fully latched. Why it matters and what to do if it stays on.
Buying a used car? Check the dashboard warning lights first
Six quick dashboard checks before buying a used car in the UK: the bulb test, a cold start, MOT history, fault codes and recalls.