What Does That Light on My Dash Mean?
Modern cars are full of wondrous technology, but sometimes, things go wrong.
To help warn a driver of a vehicle malfunction, a whole swarm of warning lights are included in a vehicle’s dashboard and center gauge cluster. But what do they all mean?
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Some are obvious while others are not, and many can’t be deciphered unless you look to the owner’s manual. Here is a comprehensive list of what the most common warning lights mean. Check back often, as this index will be updated all the time.
Want to get rid of a check engine light? Get an OBD Reader
The most common warning, the check engine light (CEL) is a catch-all light that may refer to an engine issue, loose gasoline cap or faulty sensor. If illuminated in yellow or amber, take your car to a mechanic at your earliest convenience. It glowing red, take your car in immediately.
A 20+ year industry veteran, Mike rejoins the AutoGuide team as the Managing Editor. He started his career at a young age working at dealerships, car rentals, and used car advertisers. He then found his true passion, automotive writing. After contributing to multiple websites for several years, he spent the next six years working at the head office of an automotive OEM, before returning back to the field he loves. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). He's the recipient of a feature writing of the year award and multiple video of the year awards.
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TPMS. Whats that mean?
I changed out my suspension and now a green light comes on and my car can barely hobble home.