What do dashboard warning lights in my car mean?

You could be forgiven for thinking you’re behind the yoke of a Boeing airliner when settling into the driver’s seat of a modern car.

Myriad electronic systems, new safety and driver aids, and the advent of digital instrument clusters make for a spectrum of different colours immediately ahead of the driver. Question is, what do all these colours and icons on your dashboard mean?

As a rule, there are two main types of dashboard warning lights: red and orange. If either of these appears on your dashboard, it is usually your vehicle’s way of communicating an issue. Ignoring warning lights can turn a relatively minor problem into a big, expensive and potentially dangerous one.

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 problem with the braking system.

In some modern cars, the presence of certain red lights will coincide with the vehicle going into ‘limp mode’, which can limit the vehicle’s top speed or its operating parameters in a bid to minimise damage and/or danger.

An orange dashboard warning light means the engine management system – the computer that runs the engine – has detected a fault. As a rule, you may continue to drive a car with an orange dashboard warning light, but you should head to your local service centre for diagnosis and repair as soon as possible.

What should I do if a dashboard warning light comes in my car?

It is important to pay attention to car dashboard warning lights because they can help you avoid a breakdown, keep you safe on the road, and potentially save you an expensive repair bill.

If a red or orange warning light appears on your dashboard, do not ignore it. Instead, pull over somewhere safe and look up what it means in the owner’s manual. If you are not sure what the problem is, ask a qualified mechanic or vehicle manufacturer for advice.

If a light momentarily illuminates then disappears, there may not be a problem, but it is a good idea to get it checked out by a mechanic for peace of mind.

What are the most common car dashboard warning lights?

The dashboard warning light landscape is constantly changing, particularly with the advent of modern technologies and more EVs on Australian roads than ever before.

Below is a guide to the warning lights featured in most modern cars, dating back to the advent of electronic ignition systems and on-board diagnostic systems which monitor vital engine components. Happily, many of these codes will also relate the vehicles which predate those technologies, too.

1. Fog light (front)

2. Power steering warning light

3. Fog light (rear)

4. Washer fluid low

5. Brake pad warning

6. Cruise control on

7. Direction indicators

8. Rain and light sensor

9. Winter mode

10. Information indicator

11. Glow plug/diesel pre-heat warning

12. Frost warning

13. Ignition switch warning

14. Key not in vehicle

15. Key fob battery low

16. Distance warning

17. Press clutch pedal

18. Press brake pedal

19. Steering lock warning

20. Main beam headlights

21. Tyre pressure low

22. Sidelight information

23. Exterior light fault

24. Brake lights warning

25. Diesel particulate filter warning

26. Trailer tow hitch warning

27. Air suspension warning

28. Lane departure warning

29. Catalytic converter warning

30. Seat belt not on

31. Parking brake light

32. Battery/alternator warning

33. Parking assist

34. Service required

35. Adaptive lighting

36. Headlight range control

37. Rear spoiler warning

38. Convertible roof warning

39. Airbag warning

40. Handbrake warning

41. Water in filter

42. Airbag deactivated

43. Fault problem

44. Dipped beam headlights

45. Dirty air filter

46. Eco driving indicator

47. Hill descent control

48. Temperature warning

49. ABS warning

50. Fuel filter warning

51. Door open

52. Bonnet open

53. Low fuel

54. Automatic gearbox warning

55. Speed limiter

56. Suspension dampers

57. Oil pressure low

58. Windscreen defrost

59. Boot open

60. Stability control off

61. Rain sensor

62. Engine/emissions warning

63. Rear window defrost

64. Auto windscreen wiping

Stay safe on the roads and catch any issues as soon as possible. If you are unsure, it’s always safer to ask a professional.

How do I reset my dashboard warning lights?

While DIY engine code scanners are available, simply removing persistent dashboard warning lights only treats the symptom and not the cause. Your car has been built with sensors to identify faults that range from mild to potentially catastrophic, so if you find a dashboard warning light keeps returning, it is likely indicative of a larger problem.

Quite often, these issues are most easily remedied with the help of a qualified technician, who will plug into your car with a special diagnostic tool to fix and then clear the engine code. It is not recommended to simply reset the warning light yourself.