Understanding car dashboard symbols and meanings can help you know what action to take when a warning light appears. Some car warning lights indicate a problem that needs immediate attention, while others simply let you know that a particular system or feature is operating.

The colour of the warning light can give you an indication of how urgently you need to act. As a general guide, red warning lights can indicate a serious problem, yellow car warning lights usually mean something needs checking, while green and blue symbols generally provide information about systems or features that are operating.

In this guide, we’ve covered some of the most common car dashboard symbols, what they mean and what you should do if one appears.

It’s important to remember that dashboard symbols and their meanings can vary between manufacturers and models, so always check your vehicle handbook for information specific to your car.

What Do the Different Car Warning Light Colours Mean?

Before looking at the individual car symbols, the colour is a useful place to start.

Red warning lights can indicate a potentially serious problem or something requiring immediate attention. Depending on the warning, you may need to find somewhere safe to stop and switch off the engine.

Amber or yellow warning lights generally mean the vehicle has detected something that needs checking. You may be able to continue driving depending on the warning and how the vehicle is behaving, but it shouldn’t simply be ignored.

Green and blue dashboard lights are generally informational and often confirm that a system or feature is switched on.

Colour alone doesn’t tell you exactly what you should do, so it’s important to identify the individual symbol and check the advice for your vehicle.

Red Car Dashboard Symbols and Meanings

Oil Pressure Warning Light

The oil pressure warning light normally looks like an oil can and is one of the warning lights you shouldn’t ignore.

If it comes on while you’re driving, it can indicate that the engine has lost oil pressure. Continuing to run an engine without adequate oil pressure could cause serious engine damage.

Find somewhere safe to stop and switch off the engine. Check your vehicle handbook and arrange for the problem to be investigated before continuing if advised.

Some vehicles also use a separate amber oil warning to indicate a low oil level rather than a loss of oil pressure, so make sure you know which warning your vehicle is displaying.

Brake Warning Light

The brake warning light can appear for several reasons. In some vehicles it will illuminate when the parking brake is applied. If it stays on after the parking brake has been fully released, however, there could be a problem with the braking system.

Your brakes are critical to the safety of your vehicle, so this isn’t a warning to ignore.

We’ve covered the possible causes and what you should do in more detail in our guide to what to do if your brake warning light comes on.

Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light

The coolant temperature warning symbol often looks like a thermometer sitting in liquid.

If it appears while you’re driving, your engine may be overheating. Find somewhere safe to stop and switch off the engine.

Allow the engine to cool before carrying out any checks and never remove the coolant cap while the engine is hot, as the cooling system can be under pressure and hot coolant can cause serious burns.

If the warning persists or you’re unsure why the engine has overheated, the cause needs to be investigated.

Battery or Charging System Warning Light

Although this symbol looks like a battery, it doesn’t necessarily mean the battery itself needs replacing.

If the light stays on while the engine is running, it can indicate a problem with the vehicle’s charging system. This could mean the battery isn’t being charged correctly while you’re driving.

If the charging system fails completely, the vehicle may eventually lose electrical power. Check your vehicle handbook and have the cause investigated promptly.

Power Steering Warning Light

The power steering warning light indicates that the vehicle has detected a problem with its power-assisted steering system.

You may notice that the steering becomes much heavier than normal.

If you’re having difficulty steering or don’t feel you can safely control the vehicle, find somewhere safe to stop and arrange for the problem to be investigated.

Seat Belt Warning Light

The seat belt warning light usually means the vehicle has detected that the driver or a passenger isn’t wearing their seat belt.

Check that everyone in the vehicle is properly secured.

On vehicles fitted with passenger-seat occupancy sensors, luggage or other items placed on a seat can sometimes trigger the warning.

Amber and Yellow Car Warning Lights

Yellow car warning lights generally indicate that something needs checking, although how urgently you need to act depends on the individual warning.

Engine Management Light

The engine management light usually looks like the outline of an engine.

If it comes on, your car has detected a problem associated with the engine management or emissions system. There are many possible causes, which is why the fault needs to be properly diagnosed rather than guessed at.

If the light is flashing rather than remaining steadily illuminated, follow the instructions in your vehicle handbook and seek advice promptly, as a flashing engine warning can indicate a more serious problem.

We’ve covered the engine warning light and possible causes in more detail in our dedicated guide.

ABS Warning Light

ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System.

If the ABS warning light stays illuminated, the vehicle has detected a problem with the system. The conventional braking system may still operate, but the anti-lock function may not work correctly when required.

Because ABS is an important safety system, the fault should be investigated.

If the ABS warning appears alongside the brake system warning light, find somewhere safe to stop and seek advice, as this can indicate a more serious braking problem. Check your vehicle handbook for the specific action recommended for your car.

Tyre Pressure Warning Light

The tyre pressure monitoring system, or TPMS, warning often looks like an exclamation mark inside a tyre-shaped symbol.

If it appears, one or more of your tyres may be underinflated. The warning can also indicate a problem with the monitoring system itself.

Check your tyres for any obvious signs of damage and check the pressures when it’s safe to do so. Inflate them to the pressures recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

If the warning remains after the pressures have been corrected, the system may need checking.

Airbag Warning Light

The airbag or SRS warning light commonly shows a seated person with a circle representing the airbag.

If it stays illuminated, there may be a fault with the airbag or supplementary restraint system. This could mean part of the system won’t operate as intended if you’re involved in an accident.

The fault should therefore be checked rather than ignored.

Traction Control or Electronic Stability Control Warning Light

This car dashboard symbol often shows a vehicle with wavy lines underneath it.

If it flashes briefly while you’re driving, it can simply mean the traction or stability control system is actively working to help the vehicle maintain grip.

If the light remains on continuously, there may be a fault with the system or, depending on the vehicle, the system may have been manually switched off.

Check your vehicle handbook if you’re unsure why the light is staying on.

Diesel Particulate Filter Warning Light

Diesel vehicles fitted with a diesel particulate filter, or DPF, may display a warning when the filter needs attention.

The DPF helps trap particulate matter from the vehicle’s exhaust gases and periodically needs to regenerate.

The correct action when the warning appears varies between vehicles and can depend on why the warning has been triggered. Follow the instructions in your vehicle handbook rather than assuming that simply taking the car for a longer drive will always resolve it.

If the warning remains or other warning lights appear, have the vehicle checked.

Glow Plug Warning Light

Diesel vehicles may display a coil-shaped glow plug symbol when you switch on the ignition. It will normally go out once the vehicle is ready to start.

If the warning stays illuminated, begins flashing or appears while you’re driving, it can indicate a fault that needs investigating.

Again, the exact meaning can vary between vehicles, so check your handbook.

AdBlue Warning Light

Many modern diesel vehicles use AdBlue as part of their emissions control system.

An AdBlue warning can indicate that the fluid level is getting low and needs topping up. Follow the instructions provided by the vehicle manufacturer and make sure you use the correct fluid.

Don’t leave the warning indefinitely. On vehicles that require AdBlue, allowing the level to run out can eventually prevent the engine from restarting after it has been switched off.

Low Fuel Warning Light

The fuel pump symbol is one of the most familiar warning lights on cars.

When it appears, your fuel level is low and it’s time to fill up.

Many vehicles also have a small arrow next to the fuel pump symbol showing which side of the car the fuel filler is located on.

Low Screen Wash Warning Light

Some vehicles display a warning when the windscreen washer fluid is running low.

It isn’t usually a mechanical fault, but being able to keep your windscreen clean is important for visibility. Top up the reservoir with suitable screen wash when you can.

Service Warning or Reminder

A spanner or similar service symbol can indicate that your vehicle is due for scheduled maintenance.

However, the meaning of this symbol varies between manufacturers. On some vehicles, a spanner or service symbol can indicate a fault rather than simply reminding you that a service is due.

If you’re unsure why it has appeared, check your vehicle handbook.

Green and Blue Car Dashboard Symbols

Not all car dashboard symbols are warning you about a fault.

Green and blue symbols generally tell you that a particular function is switched on or operating.

Dipped Headlights

A green headlight symbol commonly indicates that your dipped headlights are switched on.

Main Beam Headlights

The main beam symbol is normally blue and tells you that your full beam headlights are operating.

Remember to dip your headlights when necessary so that you don’t dazzle other road users.

Front and Rear Fog Lights

Fog light symbols indicate when your front or rear fog lights are switched on.

Under the Highway Code, you must not use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced, and you must switch them off when visibility improves.

Direction Indicators

The familiar green arrows flash when you’re indicating left or right.

If an indicator starts flashing noticeably faster than usual, this can sometimes indicate a problem with one of the indicators, although the way faults are shown can vary between vehicles.

Cruise Control

A cruise control symbol generally indicates that the system is switched on or that a cruising speed has been set.

The exact symbol and colour can vary between manufacturers, particularly on vehicles fitted with adaptive cruise control or other driver assistance systems.

Why Do Car Dashboard Symbols Vary Between Cars?

Although many car warning lights use similar symbols, their appearance and exact meaning can vary between makes and models.

Modern vehicles may also display a message alongside the symbol giving you more information about the warning.

This is why it’s important to check your vehicle handbook if a warning appears that you don’t recognise. The handbook will explain the car symbols used specifically by your vehicle and the action the manufacturer recommends.

What Should You Do If a Car Warning Light Comes On?

The most important thing is not to ignore a warning light simply because the car still appears to be driving normally.

If a warning appears:

• Identify the symbol and its colour.
• Check for any accompanying message on the dashboard.
• Pay attention to any changes in the way the car sounds, feels or drives.
• Stop somewhere safe if the warning or the way the vehicle is behaving indicates a potentially serious problem.
• Check your vehicle handbook for advice specific to your car.
• Arrange for the problem to be investigated if the warning remains or you’re unsure what has caused it.

The Highway Code advises drivers to understand their vehicle’s instrument panel warning displays and to be aware of warning lights that may indicate a dangerous fault is developing.

Understanding Your Car Dashboard Warning Lights

There are a lot of different car dashboard symbols and meanings, and with modern vehicles using increasingly sophisticated systems, it’s understandable that you won’t recognise every symbol immediately.

As a general guide, red warning lights can require urgent attention, amber or yellow lights usually mean something needs checking, while green and blue symbols tend to provide information about systems that are operating.

However, the exact meaning and action you should take depends on the individual warning and your vehicle.

If you’re unsure what a warning light means, check your vehicle handbook and don’t continue driving if you believe there may be a serious mechanical or safety problem.