The coolant level warning light tells you that the fluid in your cooling system’s reservoir has dropped below the level the sensor expects. On many vehicles it shows a tank or thermometer symbol with a wavy line beneath it, and the color varies from amber to red depending on the manufacturer. Unlike an overheating warning, … Read more
The transmission warning light signals that the vehicle’s computer has detected a fault somewhere in the transmission system, from a sensor or solenoid problem to an electrical or mechanical issue. Unlike a heat alert, it points to something the system cannot correct on its own. Because modern transmissions are controlled electronically, many faults show up … Read more
A transmission temperature warning light tells you that the fluid inside your automatic transmission has become hotter than the system is designed to tolerate. It is a heat warning, not a general fault message, and it usually appears when the vehicle is working harder than normal. Transmission fluid lubricates gears, cools internal parts and transmits … Read more
The power steering warning light usually shows a steering wheel symbol, often with an exclamation point beside it, and it signals that the system helping you turn the wheel has detected a problem. Depending on the vehicle and the fault, it may glow amber or red. When power assistance is reduced or lost, the car … Read more
The electronic stability control light is your car’s way of reporting on a system designed to prevent skids before they turn into crashes. On many vehicles it shares the same skidding-car symbol as traction control, which is why drivers often confuse the two. Stability control does a broader job than traction control. It watches whether … Read more
The traction control warning light tells you something about how your car is managing grip at the drive wheels, but what it means depends on whether it is flashing, glowing steadily, or paired with an OFF label. Reading those differences correctly is the key to responding the right way. Traction control is a safety system … Read more
The tire pressure warning light is one of the most common dashboard alerts US drivers see, and on many vehicles it appears as an amber horseshoe shape with an exclamation point inside. It tells you that the vehicle believes one or more tires are below the pressure the manufacturer recommends. Because tires are the only … Read more
The seat belt warning light is the small symbol of a seated figure wearing a diagonal belt that appears when someone in the car is not buckled. On most vehicles it is red, and it often comes with a chime that grows more insistent the longer the belt stays unfastened. It is easy to see … Read more
The airbag warning light tells you that your car’s supplemental restraint system, often called SRS, has detected a fault. On many vehicles the symbol shows a seated person with a large circle in front, or the letters SRS or AIRBAG, and it is often red. This light matters because the restraint system works silently in … Read more
The anti lock braking system light, usually an amber symbol with the letters ABS inside a circle, tells you that your car has detected a fault in its anti-lock brakes. On many vehicles the anti-lock function is switched off until the problem is repaired. That sounds alarming, but it does not normally mean your brakes … Read more