Knowing the meaning of your dashboard lights is key to preventing safety hazards on the road. Keep reading this post by AED Marketing Inc. in Pasadena for more information on the matter.

As a car owner, you should understand the meaning behind each warning light and how to react when they come on. Still, dashboard lights can be confusing to many drivers. That's why this post has listed the most common ones. Read on to learn what they mean, why they pop on, and how to react to them!

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What Do the Dashboard Lights in Your Car Mean?

Brake Warning Light

Have you seen the brake warning light come on in your dash before? Hopefully not, since it can warn about serious issues! At sight, this symbol looks like an exclamation mark inside a circle in parenthesis. When it comes on, it usually means that the handbrake or parking brake is still applied, so make sure to release it. If the light remains on, chances are the brake system is leaking. Thus, pull over and call the tow truck. This is the safest way to proceed, as loss of hydraulic pressure could prevent you from reaching a safe stop. To avoid putting yourself and other people and danger, have your car towed to a certified shop. That way, you can have it diagnosed and repaired immediately.

Oil Pressure Warning Light

Oil is your engine's lifeblood, so it is crucial to pay attention to this light. When it comes on, it looks like a genie's lamp with a tiny droplet coming out. It sometimes pops up because the unit that triggers the light sends a false reading. Other times, the oil pressure warning light pops up because the engine leaks and burns oil. Such a scenario can not only be dangerous but lead to costly repairs as well. In either case, the best thing you can do if this light comes on is to stop your car to check its oil levels. Once you pull over at a safe location, wait a few minutes for the oil to cool down. Then, check the oil levels. If the reading shows your engine is low on oil, you can temporarily refill the reservoir. But still, get your car to a mechanic to fix the problem as soon as possible.

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Temperature Warning Light

In most cars, the temperature warning light looks like a thermometer floating on a river. When it illuminates, it means your engine is on the brink of overheating, so don't ignore it. Instead, check the temperature gauge at the dash to see if it creeps up towards the "H." Pull over if the temperature warning light and the gauge tell you the engine is running too hot. Then, wait a few minutes for the engine to cool down. Once it's safe to open the hood, check the coolant levels. If needed, top the coolant reservoir with water as a temporary solution. Still, have your cooling system inspected by a certified mechanic to diagnose and fix it.

Battery Charge Warning Light

When this indicator pops on, it looks like a brick with plus and minus signs. You are probably already familiar with this light, as it briefly pops on as part of the car starting routine. However, seeing this light continuously on while driving means the battery has low power. There could be something wrong with the alternator, the battery, or the terminals. Regardless of the cause, you should first turn off anything drawing power, such as the stereo or the AC. Then, go to a certified shop to have your charging system checked. Failure to do so could leave you stranded without power at any time.

Check Engine Light

Lastly, there's the "check engine" light, one of the most popular yet misunderstood on this list. Almost anything can activate this engine-shaped light. At times it appears due to a loose fuel cap, and at others, it warns of a fuel system malfunction. Either way, this indicator warns you something needs your attention. Thus, it's vital to have your engine inspected by a mechanic once you see this warning light blinking.

Keep your car in good shape to prevent your dashboard lights from coming on. Call AED Marketing Inc. at (281) 507-8721 to get the top synthetic oil change in Pasadena. Likewise, stop by AMSOIL's online store to place an order for the top oils, additives, and maintenance products for your rig.