The 4 Most Common Dashboard Lights

Nov 14, 2016

9460454176_33f2d09ab7_b You’re probably used to seeing certain lights on your dashboard, but what happens when an unordinary light pops on? Well, fret not because most of these illuminated signs are actually quite common, and here’s what you need to know.

Check Engine Light

While many will tell you that this is the doomsday symbol for all cars and it always equals large dollar signs in terms of repairs, that’s not necessarily true. This commonly seen light illuminates a small engine icon on your car’s dash. Because your engine is arguably the most important part of the vehicle, you will need to take your car in to your professional mechanic as soon as possible when this light comes on.

Battery Charge Alert

This symbol looks like a small battery and indicates that your vehicle’s battery is not charging properly. So that your car doesn’t die on you, leaving you stranded, take it to your professional mechanic to have the problem diagnosed.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

If you see what looks like an exclamation point in wavy parenthesis, this is your tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) indicator. When this light turns on, it means that one or more of your tires is in need of air.

Antilock Braking System

Your antilock braking system (ABS) has an indicator that is a circle around the letters ‘ABS’. When you see this light, it usually means that there is something operating improperly with this system. ABS can be complex, so once again it’s best to take it to your mechanic.

Now that you know the most common maintenance lights in your vehicle, you can be better prepared when one illuminates.

Image via Flickr by Chris Isherwood