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What it means: The pressure in one or more of your tires is too low What you should do: Nothing Tyre Pressure Warning Light What it means: Car’s traction control system is engaged
Car dashboard symbols how to#
For a detailed guide on how to treat this, click here. What you should do: Drive extremely safely, especially in snow or rainy conditions.
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Which means that it might shut off completely, without warning. What it means: There might be an issue with your anti-skid system.
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What you should do: Ensure that you have your car keys on you before moving off Traction Control Malfunction Light It can also mean that your car is unlocked but missing the keys to trigger the ignition. What it means: There’s an issue with your car’s anti-theft system. Using them outside of these conditions is regarded as an offence. What you should do: Only use in heavy downpours or hazy conditions. What you should do: Ensure that all car doors are properly closed and light is switched off before moving off Fog Warning Light Do not turn on your headlights on the highway. The lights are mainly used in unlit or dark rural areas. What you should do: These lights blind oncoming traffic and should only to be used when no other cars are around. What you should do: Get to the nearest petrol station and replenish the fuel tank Main Beam Headlights What it means: Level of fuel in the car is low, potentially running on reserve fuel What you should do: Turn it on when it gets dusty or pungent outside your car Fuel Indicator Symbol Which helps to keep the car cooler without making it stale. What it means: Air is recirculated around the cabin, as opposed to using outside air. Windshield washer fluid is not expensive and can be found at most petrol stations What you should do: Add windshield washer fluid to the windshield washer fluid tank. What it means: Level of windshield washer fluid is low Switch off when driving Washer Fluid Warning Light What you should do: Switch on when you are stationary (that you’re a hazard) or when there’s an accident ahead. What it means: Hazard lights are switched on What you should do: Nothing Hazard Lights They are dipped down by design so they don’t dazzle oncoming traffic What you should do: Bring your car to the nearest mechanic and have the codes scanned by a mechanic Dipped Headlights What it means: ABS brakes are malfunctioning What you should do: Stop driving immediately and do not attempt to open the radiator cap. What it means: Vehicle is overheating (running too hot) and there is something wrong with the cooling system What you should do: Take the vehicle to the nearest mechanic. What it means: Problem with the seat belt system, the airbag, the computer or associated wiring. What you should do: Buckle your seatbelt Airbag Indicator
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What you should do: If your battery charging light comes on while you’re driving, you should pull over as soon as it’s safe and turn off electrical items (like the radio, air conditioning, etc). What it means: Car alternator is not making electricity and the car is running off of battery power alone. What you should do: Stop driving immediately and turn the engine off. For a detailed guide on how to treat this, click here. What it means: Car engine is running low on oil, or engine has lost normal oil pressure. With so many symbols and indicators on your dashboard, do you know what each of them represents? Or what you should do when one of these symbols light up? No?ĭon’t worry! Here’s a guide on the 18 common symbols that are on your dashboard and what each of them means. These indicators cover a wide range of issues, from a spoilt taillight to more serious issues like an engine leak. A signal funnels through the electrical system and into the dashboard when something goes wrong with your car or if a feature gets activated.
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