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Car dashboard warning lights: what they mean and what to do

Dashboard lights follow a simple colour code on most cars. Red usually means stop safely and check, amber or yellow means get it checked soon, and green or blue just shows something is switched on. Your owner's manual has the exact meaning for your car.

General guide in plain words. It is not a diagnosis and gives no prices: only a workshop that inspects your car can say what is wrong.

Common warning lights

  1. Oil pressure light (red oil can)

    The engine may not be getting enough oil. Stop as soon as it is safe and switch off the engine. Driving on can damage the engine.

  2. Temperature light (red thermometer)

    The engine is getting too hot. Stop safely, switch off and let it cool. Do not open the radiator cap while it is hot.

  3. Battery or charging light

    The battery is not being charged while you drive, often an alternator or belt problem. The car may run until the battery is flat.

  4. Brake warning light

    It can mean the handbrake is on, brake fluid is low or there is a brake fault. If it stays on with the handbrake off, get it checked before driving on.

  5. Check engine light (amber engine shape)

    An engine or emissions fault has been stored. A steady light means get it checked soon; a flashing light means a more serious fault, so reduce speed and get it checked quickly.

  6. ABS, airbag and tyre pressure lights

    These show a fault in the anti-lock brakes, the airbag system or low tyre pressure. The car may drive normally, but safety systems may not work as they should.

What to tell the workshop

Stop safely and call for help if: a red oil, temperature or brake light comes on, the check engine light is flashing, or you see smoke or smell burning.

Workshops customers mention for this

Matched from what customers mention on Google Maps, in our own words. This is not an endorsement, and a workshop has to inspect the car to confirm any cause.

Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2

Bukit Batok Crescent (WCEGA Plaza)

1 more in Bukit Batok Crescent (WCEGA Plaza)

Bukit Merah Lane 3

Corporation Drive, Jurong East

Defu Industrial Estate (Defu Lane)

Jalan Lam Huat and Carros Centre

Kaki Bukit Industrial Estate

7 more in Kaki Bukit Industrial Estate

Loyang Way and Loyang Drive

MacPherson Road

Paya Ubi Industrial Park

Sin Ming Industrial Estate

Soon Lee Street (Pioneer Point)

Toh Guan Road East and Enterprise Hub

2 more in Toh Guan Road East and Enterprise Hub

Woodlands Industrial Park E9

Yishun Industrial Park A

Yishun Industrial Street 1

Yishun Ring Road

Workshops whose own website lists this

From each workshop's own website, as listed on its Google Maps profile. Ask the workshop to confirm it can help with your car.

More: Servicing

Questions

Can I keep driving with the check engine light on?

If it is steady and the car drives normally, you can usually drive carefully to a workshop soon. If it flashes or the car feels wrong, stop and get help.

Will the light go off by itself?

Some faults clear after the cause is fixed, such as a loose fuel cap. The workshop can read the stored code to tell you what it was.

Is this the same as the engine warning light guide?

This guide covers all the common lights. For the check engine light in more detail, see the engine warning light guide.

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