The indicator light will tell you the truth. What do the icons on the dashboard mean?
The lights on the dashboard do not always indicate that something alarming is happening to our car, some of them are informational in nature. However, it is worth being able to read the value of individual controls, because thanks to this we will have no doubts about how to behave when one of them is displayed, and the correct reaction will avoid serious failures.
The task of owners of the latest cars equipped with on-board computers is simplified. The most common message on a computer screen is telling you that an indicator light is on. Well, how many drivers in our country have such cars? Indeed, in Poland, cars are on average more than 15 years old, and in the case of cars of the “previous era”, the instruction manual provided assistance in deciphering the controls.
For the driver, the red warning lights are the most important. They should not be underestimated, as they signal a car breakdown. Then we shouldn't keep moving. In such a situation, it is best to call for help or go to the nearest service center.
One of the most important warning signs is the shield symbol with jaws and an exclamation point inside. It is responsible for the auxiliary brake and should go out as soon as it is released. However, if this indicator lights up while driving or does not go out at all, this may be a message about the need to top up the brake fluid or a malfunction of the brake system. Equally important is an indicator with an oiler, indicating too low an oil level or its overexpenditure. In such a situation, you must immediately turn off the engine, add engine oil and take the car to a service to find the cause of the leak or excessive oil consumption so as not to damage the engine.
What does the battery indicator tell us? This does not necessarily mean that our battery is dead. Often this is a warning about improper battery charging, which can be caused, among other things, due to a slipping V-belt or a worn tensioner. On the other hand, when the thermometer symbol lights up on our dashboard, it means that the coolant temperature is too high or absent. Then you need to stop the car as soon as possible, turn off the engine, add the missing fluid and go to the service so that the mechanics check the radiator and the tightness of other elements of the cooling system.
Steering wheel illumination is also very important. If so, then the problem is with the power steering. In the event of such a defect, we must stop driving because it threatens our safety. In this case, both the gearbox and the power steering pump should be checked by a service department.
Airbags are also very important for the safety of travelers. If the warning light does not go out a few seconds after the key is turned, with the passenger's seat belts fastened and the wheel on the left side, this warns of a malfunction in the airbag system. You can drive with this malfunction, but keep in mind that in the event of an accident or impact, one of the airbags will not work.
The second group consists of information and warning indicators (usually yellow) - they signal a problem. Driving with this warning light is possible, but ignoring it may cause more serious problems. One of the most important yellow lights resembles... a helicopter and indicates a problem with the engine (Check engine). Often lights up when the unit is running on low-quality fuel, but can also be caused by a dirty or frozen fuel filter or a malfunction in the injection system. After this light comes on, the engine can run in emergency mode and then it will work at a much lower power. In such a situation, you need to go to a service center as soon as possible, otherwise the matter may end in an expensive engine repair. Diesel vehicles also have a yellow coil lamp. If it is on or flashing, it usually means it's time to replace the glow plugs.
The impetus for immediate action should be the lighting of the indicator with the word ABS. This indicates the failure of this system and the possibility of blocking the wheels during braking. If the handbrake symbol lights up on the instrument panel along with this warning light, this is a sign that the brake force distribution system may be malfunctioning, which can be very dangerous while driving. Our safety is also ensured by the track stabilization system. If the ESP indicator (or ESC, DCS, VCS - depending on the manufacturer) flashes when the clutch is opened, this is a signal that the system is working properly. However, if the warning light is on, it's time to service the electronic driving assistance system.
You can also see a round bulb with dotted semicircles in the center of the dashboard. It signals a high degree of brake pad wear, and therefore the need to replace them, because. braking efficiency in this case can be significantly lower. If we see that the tire pressure loss indicator is illuminated, we must of course check the condition of the tires, but it often happens that this is a “false alarm” and it is enough to reset the indicator on the on-board computer. This can happen, for example, after a seasonal tire change.
The third group consists of informative controls displayed in green. They indicate which functions or modes are active, such as dipped beam, cruise control or driving in economy mode. Their appearance does not require any action on the part of the driver. “Warning lights or fault messages from the on-board computer should always be taken seriously, although sometimes such messages appear despite the correct operation of the systems in the car. However, faults have different significance, so the consequences of ignoring a fault signal will also be different. Some may only have financial implications for us, while others may affect our security. And this should not be underestimated,” advises Radoslav Jaskulsky from Skoda Driving School.
