What are 5 lights that might light up on your dashboard to tell you something needs attention or repair in your car?

These 5 car dashboard warning lights should be considered very serious when they illuminate.
  • Engine Temperature Warning Light. ...
  • Oil Pressure Warning Light. ...
  • Battery Charging Warning Light. ...
  • Brake Warning Light. ...
  • Check Engine Light.
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What are the most common dashboard warning lights?

18 Common Warning Lights on Your Car's Dashboard
  • Oil Pressure Warning Light.
  • Tire Pressure Warning Light.
  • Engine Temperature Warning Light.
  • Traction Control Alert Light.
  • Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light.
  • Traction Control Malfunction Light.
  • Engine Warning Light (Check Engine Light)
  • Battery Alert Light.
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What are the 3 main warning lights in a car?

But there are three warning lights that require immediate attention, and if you ignore them you could be stranded.
  • Lights Not to Ignore.
  • The red thermometer. ...
  • The red oil can: This means your oil is dangerously low. ...
  • The red battery: This means your alternator is no longer charging the battery. ...
  • Confusing Check Engine Light.
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What are the different lights on a dashboard?

There are two main types of dashboard warning lights: red and orange. A red warning light generally indicates a serious issue with your car. You should act quickly if your dashboard warning light is red – it could be an overheating engine, low engine oil pressure or a braking system problem.
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What does the dashboard light tell you?

Demystify those dashboard lights

It's an information hub that can tell you everything from your current oil levels to how many miles you can drive with the gas remaining in your tank. In the earliest days, car dashboard instruments gave drivers only the most basic data – like fuel levels and coolant temperature.
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5 Dashboard Lights You Should Not Ignore



What does maintenance light look like?

This light looks like a genie lamp with a drop coming out of the end, but in some models it is a red light that says OIL. Any red warning light that your vehicle displays is an indication that your vehicle needs maintenance as soon as possible to avoid serious damage.
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What does a check engine light look like?

If the check engine light illuminates, it will either blink or remain constantly illuminated, depending on the problem. A blinking light, or in some cars a red light instead of a yellow or orange light, indicates a problem that needs immediate attention. Either way, you should have the vehicle checked by a mechanic.
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Which dashboard light lets you know when the engine needs service?

A red warning light demands immediate attention (don't drive any further), while yellow/orange warning lights indicate a problem that needs to be serviced soon. If you see a green or blue light, this normally indicates that a certain car function is on or currently in use.
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Why does my car stop and show oil and battery signs on the dashboard?

The Oil and Battery lights come on when the engine stalls because; the engine oil pressure drops to zero, and the battery is not being charged due to the engine not running.
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What is the red flashing light on top of my dashboard?

1 Answer. That red flashing light is more than likely part of your vehicles security system. When it's flashing, it means your car is locked and the system is activated. Once you unlock the car with your key fob the system turns off so you can start the car.
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What is the most serious warning light in a car?

Oil pressure warning light

Aside from a brake warning light, an oil warning light is one of the most serious warning lights of all, hence it being red.
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What color are warning lights?

Warning lights and what they mean

Symbol lights can appear in different colors. Red – indicates a potentially serious problem or safety issue and should be taken to your dealer as soon as possible. Yellow/Orange – something needs to be serviced or repaired soon. Green/Blue – indicates that your system is operating.
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How many lights does a car have?

Types of Car Lights on the Exterior. On the exterior, the car has at least nine types of lights spread from the front to the back. But on some types of cars, there are also lights on the side of the body.
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What lights come on when you start your car?

As a general rule, amber warning lights mean something needs to be checked by a professional, while red lights require immediate action from the driver. Many of the lights will come on when you start the car and then quickly disappear, which isn't anything to worry about.
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What is the most common reason for check engine light?

The top 25 repairs account for 62% of all check engine repairs in the United States. Replacing a faulty oxygen sensor — a sensor used to optimize a vehicle's fuel-to-air mixture to increase gas mileage and reduce emissions — is the most common cause for a check engine light.
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What ABS light means?

CARS.COM — ABS stands for antilock braking system, and if the ABS warning light is illuminated in your car's gauge cluster, that means the antilock system has been deactivated because of a malfunction. Related: ABS System: What You Need to Know.
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What is alternator warning light?

The alternator light will either be a battery or an ALT, both can indicate that your alternator isn't working properly. Without an alternator, your battery isn't going to stay charged. During a ride in your vehicle, your alternator recycles energy and charges up your battery.
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How can you tell if its the battery or alternator?

If your car's battery isn't holding a charge, you have a problem with your alternator or battery. If your battery can start your vehicle but dies as the car runs, you have a faulty alternator. If your battery has been charged and can't start your vehicle, it's a battery issue.
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How do I know if my alternator is bad?

7 Signs of a Failing Alternator
  1. Dim or Overly Bright Lights. ...
  2. Dead Battery. ...
  3. Slow or Malfunctioning Accessories. ...
  4. Trouble Starting or Frequent Stalling. ...
  5. Growling or Whining Noises. ...
  6. Smell of Burning Rubber or Wires. ...
  7. Battery Warning Light on Dash.
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What does the check transmission light look like?

Some vehicles only turn on the transmission warning light when the transmission is perceived to be overheating. Other cars use the light as a general warning that can indicate a broad range of transmission-related problems. The check engine light will often turn on alongside the transmission warning light.
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What does a solid yellow check engine light mean?

The steady yellow light is telling you to take a look and fix the minor issue as soon as you can, but it's not usually serious. The flashing light means that your vehicle's engine is misfiring and you should investigate the problem immediately.
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What is the engine light symbol?

The light could be a minor issue, such as a faulty gas cap, or it could mean something more serious, such as a misfiring engine. In many cases, it means that you'll be visiting the car dealer to repair the issue and get the light turned off.
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What's the difference between check engine light and maintenance required?

The simplest explanation for the difference between a check engine light and service light is the former indicates a major problem and the latter indicates a need for maintenance or regularly scheduled service.
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Does your engine light come on when you need oil?

Your Car Needs an Oil Change

An illuminated check engine light is the first warning sign that your vehicle needs an oil change. It can activate because the oil is too dirty or when there's not enough flowing throughout the engine.
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Can I drive my car if it says maintenance required?

You can continue to drive your vehicle when the maintenance light comes on, but keep in mind you are driving at your own risk by failing to receive the scheduled or recommended service. To protect your vehicle from unexpected problems, it's important to have the right car insurance.
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