It can be a bit alarming when all of a sudden you're driving and you see your dashboard flashing with a light you haven't seen before, it can be something as simple as a loose fuel cap or an issue with your brakes. Some of these lights may not require immediate action, but there are some warnings you should never ignore. Keep your eye out for these 5 dashboard lights:
ABS (Anti-lock brake system) : Causes can include low brake fluid, a blown fuse, or abnormal signals from wheel sensors. If you ignore this light there's a chance of skidding if you need to slam on your brakes to avoid hitting something.
OIL LIGHT: An oil warning light should be taken seriously. It indicates that your oil level in the engine is low or that the oil pump is not circulating oil properly. If ignored, the chance of engine damage is likely to occur.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT: This may be the most obvious one here, but this is the light you really can't afford to ignore. A check engine light can mean many things: oxygen sensor needs to be swapped out, catalytic converter may need upgrading, or maybe your spark plugs need to be exchanged. It can be as simple as a loose gas but you will never know until you have this inspected!
BATTERY ALERT: Usually this light goes on when you put your car key to turn on the ignition and the light goes away once the engine starts. If this doesn’t happen, or the symbol lights up when you’re driving, this is a sign that there may be a problem with your charging system. This light could also refer to your alternator so it’s advised to get to a safe location and switch off the engine to prevent further damage.
AIRBAG LIGHT: If your airbag light comes on, it means there's a problem with one of the airbags within your car's system.
If you choose to ignore this, they won't go off properly (or possibly at all) when you need need them the most.
Be preventative and get your airbags checked right away. This is something you should check w/ your vehicle manufacturer.
Depending on your vehicle there could be more warning lights that indicate there is a problem, if you have any questions or concerns with any one of them, feel free to contact us - we are happy to discuss what each one means so you can respond to them effectively and keep yourself safe on the road.
Give us a call 310-323-1824 or schedule an appointment online to have one of our service technicians perform a courtesy inspection at your earliest convenience.
For your safety and the safety of your passengers, we recommend getting your car inspected as soon as you notice any flashing dashboard lights!
