Car servicing guide: 9 common warning lights and what they mean

 When you're behind the wheel, your vehicle communicates with you through a language of lights on the dashboard. These warning lights are  your car's way of telling you something is or is about to go wrong. In this blog post, we'll decode 6 common dashboard warning lights, helping you understand what they mean for your vehicle's health.  Knowing how to interpret these signals can save you time, money, and keep your car running smoothly.

The Check Engine Light:

• What it looks like: Usually, it's an engine-shaped icon.
• What it means: This light can indicate a wide range of issues, from minor to severe. It's essential to have it diagnosed promptly to identify the specific problem. Common causes include issues with the engine, exhaust, or emissions systems.

The Battery Warning Light:

• What it looks like: It resembles a battery or a "+/-" sign.
• What it means: When this light comes on, it typically indicates a problem with your car's charging system that requires repairs. It could be a failing battery, a faulty alternator, or loose/damaged wires.

The Service Light:

• What it looks like: Usually displayed in the form of a spanner and sometimes in text form such as "service due now".
• What it means: This one isn't so bad and simply means that it's time to book your car in for its annual service.

The Oil Pressure Warning Light:

• What it looks like: A dripping oil can or an oil canister.
• What it means: This light warns you about low oil pressure, which can be caused by low oil levels or problems with the oil pump. Running your engine with low oil pressure can lead to severe engine damage.

The Coolant Temperature Warning Light:

• What it looks like: Often, it's a thermometer symbol.
• What it means: This light tells you that your engine is overheating. It could be due to a coolant leak, a malfunctioning thermostat, or a faulty radiator. Ignoring this warning can lead to engine damage.

The Tire Pressure Warning Light:

• What it looks like: A tire with an exclamation mark.
• What it means: This light alerts you to low tire pressure, which can impact safety and fuel efficiency. Ensure all tires are properly inflated to the recommended levels.

The ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Light:

• What it looks like: Usually, it's the letters "ABS."
• What it means: When this light is on, your vehicle's anti-lock braking system may not be functioning correctly. It's crucial for safe braking, especially in slippery conditions.

The Traction Control Light:

• What it looks like: A car symbol with tyre tracks under the wheels in most cases
• What it means: If you see this flash while accelerating it simply means the system is doing its job. If its permanently illuminated then there is an issue with the traction control system and it may not be engaged.

The Glow Plug Light

• What it looks like: A wire coil 
• What it means: Diesel cars use glow plugs instead of spark plugs and this symbol means that the are in their warm up phase. If the light stays on after the engine starts or comes on while driving you have a glow plug issue.

Understanding your cars warning lights can be the difference between a quick fix and expensive repair work. If you have any warning lights appear that you are not sure about simply call E&J Jarvis service centre and our professional technicians will be happy to diagnose any faults and carry out repair work.