What to Make of your Dashboard Lights

On starting your car, all the warning lights on the dashboard should light as a sign that they are in good working condition. Once the car is on the road however, the lights should not light unless to indicate a warning that something in the car needs your attention. There are several distinct lights on the dashboard. However, some cars will have some added features like seat belt lights. The main ones include brake lights, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) light, the oil pressure light, the engine light, the airbag light and the battery charge light. 

The oil pressure light:  When this light blinks, it is indicative of low oil pressure, which can result in rapid wear to your car. To make sure that this is the case, use the dipstick to check the oil levels and refill to the required levels. If the oil pressure light still blinks even after this, then you will need to have the oil pump checked. If the oil pump is not working, towing the car to a garage where the pump can be fixed is advisable in order to avoid excessive wears to the car. 

ABS light: When this light blinks when you are driving, it can indicate three different things: a faulty ABS, trapped brake caliper or low levels of brake fluid. The light may also mean that the parking brake has been left on.  Getting a technician to check the car is the best way to know which among the different causes is behind the constant blink. 

Engine light: this light is also called the engine-malfunction light. On most dashboards, the light is labeled ‘Check Engine’.  When this light blinks, it is indicative that is a problem with engine functions. Sometimes, this light blinks when other lights indicative of transmission problems are on. When such is the case, dealing with the transmission issue will most likely be the right diagnosis. If the car is not running, as it should, getting a car technician to check the system is advisable. 

Battery Charge light: When this light is on, it indicates that the battery is not charging. The condition can be caused by a loose battery plug, which you can fix without necessarily involving a technician. A faulty alternator can also be a cause if battery-charge failure as does a loose slipping belt. To save on power and avoid being stranded, you should turn off electrical devices, such as radio, and heater in the car.

Airbag light: This light indicates that the airbag system is faulty, which means that they would fail to activate if an accident occurs. You should drive the car to a shop where technicians can inspect the entire airbag system and fix the problematic area. 

Brake Lights: This could indicate that the handbrake is on. If not, you should check the level of the car’s brake fluid. The lights could also indicate faulty braking system. When the braking system is faulty, you should have your car towed since driving with this light on can be quite dangerous.