Why do all the indicators on the dashboard of the car light up when the ignition is turned on

Even a novice driver knows that the dashboard contains more than just a speedometer, tachometer, trip meter and indicators for fuel levels and coolant temperature. On the dashboard there are also control lights that inform about the work or, on the contrary, a malfunction in the operation of various vehicle systems. And every time you turn on the ignition, they light up, and after starting the engine, they go out. Why, the AvtoVzglyad portal will tell.

The fresher and more sophisticated the car, the more indicators are crowded on the “tidy”. But the main ones are at the disposal of almost every car, unless, of course, the bulbs themselves have burned out.

The control icons can be divided into three groups - by color, so that the driver can understand at a glance whether one of the car's systems is simply working or a serious breakdown has occurred, with which it is dangerous to drive further. Icons that are green or blue indicate that it is working, such as high beam headlights or cruise control.

Red lights indicate that the door is open, the parking brake is on, a defect has been detected in the steering or airbag. Simply put, that it is life-threatening to continue moving on without eliminating the cause of the lit fire.

Yellow icons indicate that one of the electronic assistants has worked or is faulty, or the fuel is running out. Another label of this color can warn that something is broken in the car or is functioning, but not as required. It is worth noting that the pleasant dandelion color of the indicator, if it indicates a breakdown, does not mean at all that it can be ignored and carefree to go further.

So, when the driver just turns on the ignition, the on-board computer “communicates” with the sensors of all important car systems, checking if they give errors. That's why most of the lights on the dashboard light up like a garland on a Christmas tree: it's part of the test. The indicators go out a second or two after the engine is started.

If something went wrong and a malfunction occurred, the control light will remain in its place even after the engine has started, or it will go out, but with a long delay. Of course, a failure can also be detected while driving. In any case, this is a signal that it is worth visiting the service. Or, if you have experience, knowledge and diagnostic equipment, deal with the problem yourself.

It is worth noting that the number of indicators visible to the steering after turning on the ignition depends on the make and model of the car. Sometimes these are absolutely all the labels present on the "tidy". And in some cases, the shield gives out only a minimal set of icons, for example, those that indicate errors in the operation of the brake system, ABS and other basic electronic assistants that turn on in emergency situations, as well as tire pressure sensors and Check Engine.