Understand Your Car’s Emergency Lights

No one is happy when their car starts lighting up its dashboard with warning lights. Some need to be handled immediately, some can wait, and others can be confusing depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

If your dashboard starts lighting up, bring it to Boggs for help. Our expert mechanics provide full-service automotive repair and preventive maintenance services. We’re here to help you understand what your car’s emergency lights mean.

Not sure if that light on your dash means you need to bring your car in? Keep reading to learn what the most common car emergency lights could mean for your vehicle.

Oil Pressure Warning

When this light pops up on the dash, a common cause is a faulty oil pressure sender. This is a sensor that will need to be replaced soon once the light on your dash comes on. 

Even though the oil pressure sender has an important job of sensing the oil pressure, this is typically not a very expensive repair to complete.

Check Engine

If your check engine light is on and it is solid, don’t panic! This is one of the least specific warning lights because it could be set off by a variety of things such as: a loose gas cap, a voltage spike from the battery, or a catalytic converter code. 

If the check engine light is flashing, you do need to have the vehicle looked at immediately. This indicates an engine misfire, compression loss, or other potentially serious problems. 

Coolant Temperature

When this illuminates, it means your engine is overheating. For most cars, it looks like a red thermometer. Take this warning light seriously: always pull over and turn off your vehicle as quickly as possible to allow your engine to cool.

Learn what to do when your engine overheats

Oil Change

This is one of the most straightforward lights on our dashboards: get your oil changed routinely! Most modern vehicles have the oil change gauge, which is basically a timer, set to display an oil change is needed every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. 

Due to the life of the oil filter and because every motor will burn a little oil, Boggs recommends an oil change every 3,000 miles. 

You can easily schedule your next oil change with us We’ll even pick your car up for you!

Tire Pressure Warning

If this warning symbol comes on and stays on, it means your tire pressure is either too low or too high. Driving on incorrectly inflated tires is dangerous and can damage your tires. 

Stop driving and check the tire pressure to ensure they’re inflated to the correct pressure listed in your owner’s manual.

Battery

If your battery indicator light comes on, it means your car’s charging system isn’t working the way it should. The battery could need to be replaced, or it could indicate that there is a loose battery cable, your alternator could be having issues, or there could be a variety of other electrical problems in the system.

You might notice this light blink on when you turn your car on, and that’s normal! If it turns on while you’re driving, that’s when you know there is a problem with your vehicle. Remember, Boggs does test your battery life with every oil change.

Brake Warning

This light usually indicates that the parking brake has been engaged. If your parking brake isn’t in place and the light comes on your dash, that means there could be a problem with the braking system in your vehicle. 

This light will often come on if you have worn-out brake pads, discs, low brake fluid, or a problem with the ABS (anti-lock braking system).

Traction Control

If the Traction Control light is on, this indicates a problem with the wheel speed sensor. This will disable your anti-lock brake system (ABS). The most common problem is a bad wheel bearing. 

Along with the Traction Control light, you may also hear a humming noise coming from your wheel well.  

We’re Here To Help With Your Car’s Emergency Lights

Don’t risk damage to your vehicle by driving with your car’s emergency lights illuminated on your dashboard – we can help! We’re proud to be your local full-service car repair and maintenance shop with two convenient locations in Warsaw.

We also have free pick-up available with our Boggs Driver service for oil changes and preventative maintenance.

No appointment is necessary for oil changes at Boggs Pit Stop, but if you’d like to schedule an oil change or any other car repair or maintenance services at Boggs Automotive, click below to give us a call.