When you first start your car’s engine, you’ll immediate see the dashboard light up with warning lights like the world’s worst Christmas tree.
Hopefully, once the engine is idling, the warnings will vanish and you’re good to go – and you won’t see them during your journey.
This is real life though so this is not always the case – but what do some of main lights mean and what should you do if one appears? Here’s Theory Test Pro’s guide:
Tyre Pressure Warning
What it looks like
An amber tyre in cross section with an exclamation mark in the middle.
What does it mean
The car has detected there is a low pressure issue with one of your tyres. Modern cars will also display which one in the infotainment display.
What you should do
Find your nearest petrol station and inspect the affected tyre. You may discover a nail or other object has caused a puncture. If so, do not drive any further and either call a recovery service or fit the spare tyre yourself.
If no obvious sign of puncture is present, you can pump up the affected tyre and continue on your journey. However, instead, we would strongly advise that you take your car (if safe to do so) to your nearest tyre specialist for a professional inspection.
Remember, even a small leak can impact on your car’s handling and in worst case scenarios, might lead to a blow out that will cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
Engine Management Warning
What it looks like
An amber image of the engine block.
What does it mean
Simple – sensors have detected an issue with your car’s engine.
What you should do
When safe to do so, stop your car and call a recovery service. If this is not possible, take your car to your nearest garage for an engine inspection. Remember, if you continue to drive your car after the light has come on, you risk causing damage to your engine that could be irreparable.
Electronic Stability Warning
What it looks like
An amber image of a car head-on with two curving lines in front of it.
What does it mean
Depends on the consistency of the light – see below.
What you should do
If the light flashes on and off, it means the car’s stability systems are working, intervening to help to keep you safe if you are on, say, a slippery surface. Our advice? Ease off the accelerator in such conditions so the stability systems aren’t triggered in the first place.
However, if the light remains on, this indicates the car’s stability systems have either inadvertently been turned off (check your manual to see how to turn them back on) or is faulty and should be inspected by a garage as soon as possible.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
What it looks like
An amber circle with the letters ‘ABS’ in the centre.
What does it mean
Your ABS system is not working.
What you should do
While ABS offers additional safety when braking sharply, you can continue to drive your car if it is deactivated as your brakes will still work. Just remember to extend the distance between you and the vehicle in front as your braking distance could be extended in an emergency stop because of the lack of ABS. When you can, take your car to a garage for inspection.
Oil warning light
What it looks like
A red oil can with a single drop of oil.
What does it mean
The temperature of your car’s engine oil is either too hot or its level/pressure is too low.
What you should do
Stop as soon as you can because an engine without proper oil temperature, pressure or levels is one that could be damaged permanently if you continue to drive. You should check oil levels and replace if low to see if this addresses the issue – though do check for signs of an oil leak under the car and in the engine bay. If you find a leak, don’t drive the car.
After filling up with oil and checking there are no leaks, f the light remains on or comes back on further down the road, you must stop and call a recovery service. Do not drive your car further under any circumstances or you risk a catastrophic repair bill.
Know Your Code
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