Your car is equipped with roughly 64 dashboard indicator lights. But what do the different dashboard symbols mean? For new and inexperienced drivers, seeing a blinking dash light can be a little nerve-wracking, but it’s important not to panic. Understanding what these lights mean can help you quickly identify and address your car’s issues.
The red door ajar symbol means that one of the doors has not been closed properly. It can also mean that the trunk door isn't latched.
If this symbol appears while driving, find somewhere safe to pull over and make sure that all the doors are properly closed.
The parking brake light means that your parking brake is engaged. If the light stays on after disengaging the emergency brake, it may indicate low brake fluid.
Do not drive while your emergency brake is engaged. Release the parking brake immediately if you notice the light is on while driving. If the light stays on, stop and call your mechanic.
The brake warning light can appear for several reasons. It will stay lit while your parking brake is engaged. It could also mean low brake fluid, a faulty brake system or faulty braking hydraulics.
If your parking brake isn't engaged, pull over and check the brake fluid. If the ABS light is also turned on, pull over immediately in a safe location and call your mechanic.
When you see the ABS light on, it may mean that there's a malfunction in your ABS system, which could cause your tires to lock in an emergency.
If this light stays on while you're driving, take your car to a mechanic as soon as you can.
If you see this dashboard symbol, it means that your car's brake pads have been worn down. They may need to be adjusted or replaced.
Driving may not be safe if your brake system's performance is affected. Call your mechanic for a service before making any long trips.
This light comes on when you start the car. If the check engine light is flashing or stays on, there may be an engine malfunction.
If the check engine light remains on while driving, take your car to be serviced as soon as you can. If the check engine light is blinking, slowly drive your car to the mechanic right away.
This red light indicates that there is an issue with your oil pressure. Your oil level is most likely low and not lubricating your engine correctly.
Pull over as soon as it's safe and check your oil pressure. You may need to add more oil. If the light stays on, take your car to a mechanic right away.
Your car's battery is not charging properly, or it's losing power. The battery light may also indicate a problem with your alternator.
If your car doesn't turn on, jump-start it with booster cables. If the battery is damaged or won't turn on with a jump start, call your mechanic for a battery replacement and inspection.
Your car's automatic transmission sensors have detected a problem. Possible problems include low fluid or high fluid temperatures. There could also be an issue with the fluid pressure.
If this light remains on while driving, take your car to be serviced as soon as you can. There could be a sensor malfunction, but a mechanic will be able to diagnose and fix the issue.
If you drive a diesel car, this symbol will light up when you turn the ignition. Don't start the car yet. This dashboard light will turn off when the glow plugs are warm enough.
Seeing this light before you start the car is normal. If the glow plug light doesn't turn off or is flashing, your glow plugs may be worn out. If you have difficulty starting your car, call a mechanic.
The tire pressure light warns you when the pressure in one or more of your tires is low.
Once you see this amber dashboard symbol, pull into a gas station to inspect your tires. You may need to pump air in your tires. Avoid long drives until this issue is addressed.
When the temperature warning light is on, it means your engine is overheating. There could be an issue with the engine coolant or water pipe.
Turn the heat all the way up and pull over as soon as you can. DO NOT check the coolant reservoir until the engine is completely cold. Once the engine has cooled, drive slowly to a mechanic.
This blue light indicates that your headlight's high beams are engaged, which allows you to see further at night.
Switch your high beams to low if you see a car approaching you, as the glare from your lights can make it difficult for the other driver to see the road ahead.
This dashboard symbol means that your turn signal is engaged.
This light should be on whenever you move the turn signal lever up or down to indicate your intention to turn right or left.
This light indicates that your hazard lights are on (both left and right turn signals are flashing). The light is usually located on the hazard warning signal control.
Turn on your hazard lights to alert drivers of possible danger. Turn off your hazard lights when the issue has been resolved.
This dashboard signal can indicate a faulty brake light, plate light or other exterior lights.
The car is still driveable, but it is not safe (or legal) to drive with faulty lights, especially at night. Ask your mechanic to replace your faulty bulb as soon as possible.
This green light will appear when you have turned on your parking lights.
Use your parking lights when you are stopped on the side of the road and want to alert drivers that you're there. Switch off the lights when you no longer need them.
This dashboard symbol indicates that the rear window defrost has been turned on to defog or defrost your rear window.
To turn off your rear window defrost, simply switch the control to the off position.
This car symbol indicates that your windshield defrost is turned on. This function is used to melt ice or defog your windscreen.
When you no longer need to use the windscreen defrost, turn it off.
When this dashboard icon lights up, there is an issue with the car's electric power steering (ESP) system. The ESP makes it easier for drivers to steer.
If there's an issue with your ESP system you may have to apply much more physical force when steering. This can be dangerous. Make an appointment with your mechanic as soon as possible.
This dashboard light indicates that your car is due for a routine service or maintenance. It could also mean that a fault in your system has been detected.
When you see this light, avoid driving your vehicle until you can take it to be inspected by a mechanic.
This green dashboard light indicates that your car's altered start/stop function is active, which temporarily shuts off the engine when you come to a stop.
No action needed. The engine will start immediately after pressing lightly on the gas pedal. To turn off this function, press the control button.
This red light indicates that your car's computer has detected an airbag malfunction. It may not deploy properly in the event of an accident.
It is unsafe to drive without airbags. If the airbag warning light stays on, slowly and carefully drive to a mechanic.
This amber indicator light turns on when the driver or a passenger has not put on their seat belt. The light may also be accompanied by an intermittent bell sound.
Make sure that everyone's seatbelt is fastened. The seat belt light will switch off when everyone is buckled up.
The green dashboard symbol means that your front fog lights have been turned on manually. Some new vehicles have sensors that automatically adjust the lighting to your driving environment.
Only activate the fog lights in bad weather, such as fog, rain, or snow; otherwise, they can distract oncoming drivers.
The amber car symbol means that your rear fog lights have been turned on manually. Some new vehicles have sensors that automatically adjust the lighting to your driving environment.
Only activate the fog lights in bad weather, such as fog, rain, or snow; otherwise, they can distract drivers behind you.
This amber light indicates that the car's ESC (electronic stability control, also called traction control) is activated. The ESC is usually activated to prevent skidding and to maintain traction.
The traction control light turns on temporarily when the ESC system is activated to achieve traction. Newer cars allow you to control this setting or to keep it engaged in certain drive modes.
This green dashboard light indicates that your car's cruise control system is engaged.
To deactivate the cruise control function, step on the brake or press the cruise control button again. There may also be an off button on your steering wheel.
This green light indicates that your car's low beams are turned on.
Turn on your low beams at dusk and keep them engaged while driving at night. You may need to switch to high beams in certain situations.
This amber (sometimes red) symbol indicates that your car is running out of fuel. When this light first appears, you have roughly 30 km worth of fuel left in the tank.
Drive to the nearest gas station as soon as possible to refuel your tank and avoid stalling in the middle of the road.
This light indicates that your hazard lights are on (both left and right turn signals are flashing). The light is usually located on the hazard warning signal control.
Turn on your hazard lights to alert drivers of possible danger. Turn off your hazard lights when the issue has been resolved.
The red door ajar symbol means that one of the doors has not been closed properly. It can also mean that the trunk door isn't latched.
If this symbol appears while driving, find somewhere safe to pull over and make sure that all the doors are properly closed.
This red light indicates that there is an issue with your oil pressure. Your oil level is most likely low and not lubricating your engine correctly.
Pull over as soon as it's safe and check your oil pressure. You may need to add more oil. If the light stays on, take your car to a mechanic right away.
When the temperature warning light is on, it means your engine is overheating. There could be an issue with the engine coolant or water pipe.
Turn the heat all the way up and pull over as soon as you can. DO NOT check the coolant reservoir until the engine is completely cold. Once the engine has cooled, drive slowly to a mechanic.
Your car's battery is not charging properly, or it's losing power. The battery light may also indicate a problem with your alternator.
If your car doesn't turn on, jump-start it with booster cables. If the battery is damaged or won't turn on with a jump start, call your mechanic for a battery replacement and inspection.
Your car's automatic transmission sensors have detected a problem. Possible problems include low fluid or high fluid temperatures. There could also be an issue with the fluid pressure.
If this light remains on while driving, take your car to be serviced as soon as you can. There could be a sensor malfunction, but a mechanic will be able to diagnose and fix the issue.
This amber indicator light turns on when the driver or a passenger has not put on their seat belt. The light may also be accompanied by an intermittent bell sound.
Make sure that everyone's seatbelt is fastened. The seat belt light will switch off when everyone is buckled up.
The parking brake light means that your parking brake is engaged. If the light stays on after disengaging the emergency brake, it may indicate low brake fluid.
Do not drive while your emergency brake is engaged. Release the parking brake immediately if you notice the light is on while driving. If the light stays on, stop and call your mechanic.
This red light indicates that your car's computer has detected an airbag malfunction. It may not deploy properly in the event of an accident.
It is unsafe to drive without airbags. If the airbag warning light stays on, slowly and carefully drive to a mechanic.
The brake warning light can appear for several reasons. It will stay lit while your parking brake is engaged. It could also mean low brake fluid, a faulty brake system or faulty braking hydraulics.
If your parking brake isn't engaged, pull over and check the brake fluid. If the ABS light is also turned on, pull over immediately in a safe location and call your mechanic.
The amber car symbol means that your rear fog lights have been turned on manually. Some new vehicles have sensors that automatically adjust the lighting to your driving environment.
Only activate the fog lights in bad weather, such as fog, rain, or snow; otherwise, they can distract drivers behind you.
This amber (sometimes red) symbol indicates that your car is running out of fuel. When this light first appears, you have roughly 30 km worth of fuel left in the tank.
Drive to the nearest gas station as soon as possible to refuel your tank and avoid stalling in the middle of the road.
This dashboard symbol indicates that the rear window defrost has been turned on to defog or defrost your rear window.
To turn off your rear window defrost, simply switch the control to the off position.
This car symbol indicates that your windshield defrost is turned on. This function is used to melt ice or defog your windscreen.
When you no longer need to use the windscreen defrost, turn it off.
This light comes on when you start the car. If the check engine light is flashing or stays on, there may be an engine malfunction.
If the check engine light remains on while driving, take your car to be serviced as soon as you can. If the check engine light is blinking, slowly drive your car to the mechanic right away.
If you drive a diesel car, this symbol will light up when you turn the ignition. Don't start the car yet. This dashboard light will turn off when the glow plugs are warm enough.
Seeing this light before you start the car is normal. If the glow plug light doesn't turn off or is flashing, your glow plugs may be worn out. If you have difficulty starting your car, call a mechanic.
The tire pressure light warns you when the pressure in one or more of your tires is low.
Once you see this amber dashboard symbol, pull into a gas station to inspect your tires. You may need to pump air in your tires. Avoid long drives until this issue is addressed.
When this dashboard icon lights up, there is an issue with the car's electric power steering (ESP) system. The ESP makes it easier for drivers to steer.
If there's an issue with your ESP system you may have to apply much more physical force when steering. This can be dangerous. Make an appointment with your mechanic as soon as possible.
This amber light indicates that the car's ESC (electronic stability control, also called traction control) is activated. The ESC is usually activated to prevent skidding and to maintain traction.
The traction control light turns on temporarily when the ESC system is activated to achieve traction. Newer cars allow you to control this setting or to keep it engaged in certain drive modes.
When you see the ABS light on, it may mean that there's a malfunction in your ABS system, which could cause your tires to lock in an emergency.
If this light stays on while you're driving, take your car to a mechanic as soon as you can.
If you see this dashboard symbol, it means that your car's brake pads have been worn down. They may need to be adjusted or replaced.
Driving may not be safe if your brake system's performance is affected. Call your mechanic for a service before making any long trips.
This dashboard light indicates that your car is due for a routine service or maintenance. It could also mean that a fault in your system has been detected.
When you see this light, avoid driving your vehicle until you can take it to be inspected by a mechanic.
This dashboard signal can indicate a faulty brake light, plate light or other exterior lights.
The car is still driveable, but it is not safe (or legal) to drive with faulty lights, especially at night. Ask your mechanic to replace your faulty bulb as soon as possible.
This green light indicates that your car's low beams are turned on.
Turn on your low beams at dusk and keep them engaged while driving at night. You may need to switch to high beams in certain situations.
This dashboard symbol means that your turn signal is engaged.
This light should be on whenever you move the turn signal lever up or down to indicate your intention to turn right or left.
The green dashboard symbol means that your front fog lights have been turned on manually. Some new vehicles have sensors that automatically adjust the lighting to your driving environment.
Only activate the fog lights in bad weather, such as fog, rain, or snow; otherwise, they can distract oncoming drivers.
This green light will appear when you have turned on your parking lights.
Use your parking lights when you are stopped on the side of the road and want to alert drivers that you're there. Switch off the lights when you no longer need them.
This green dashboard light indicates that your car's cruise control system is engaged.
To deactivate the cruise control function, step on the brake or press the cruise control button again. There may also be an off button on your steering wheel.
This green dashboard light indicates that your car's altered start/stop function is active, which temporarily shuts off the engine when you come to a stop.
No action needed. The engine will start immediately after pressing lightly on the gas pedal. To turn off this function, press the control button.
This blue light indicates that your headlight's high beams are engaged, which allows you to see further at night.
Switch your high beams to low if you see a car approaching you, as the glare from your lights can make it difficult for the other driver to see the road ahead.
Knowing what your dashboard lights mean is half the battle. Get all the information you need about the various dashboard symbols with our free downloadable and printable PDF guide.
Download PDF
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