Dashboard warning lights explained
Find the light on your dashboard: what it means, whether you can keep driving and what to do now.
Red lights: stop or act now
A red light means a safety problem or a fault that can damage the car. Stop when it is safe, or act right away.
Amber and yellow lights: check soon
An amber light means a fault or a reminder. You can usually drive on carefully, but have it checked soon.
Green and blue lights: information
Green and blue lights show that a system is switched on. They are not warnings.
Check engine light on?
The check engine light always stores a trouble code. Read it with an OBD-II scanner (many auto parts stores do it for free), then look it up:
Warning light questions
What do the colors of dashboard lights mean?
Like traffic lights: red means stop or act now, amber or yellow means check soon, green and blue only show that a system is on.
Why do all the lights come on when I start the car?
It is a bulb check. Every light should come on for a moment with the ignition and then go out. A light that stays on has something to tell you.
Do the symbols look the same in every car?
Mostly, but not exactly. Makers draw some symbols their own way and add their own lights. Your owner's manual has the full list for your car.
Can I find the cause of a warning light myself?
Many lights store a trouble code. An OBD-II scanner reads it, and our free OBD-II code lookup explains what it means.