There are as many as 64 dashboard warning lights that can appear on your car’s dashboard to alert you when something is wrong. With so many symbols to understand, it’s no surprise that many drivers find them confusing and easy to overlook. However, ignoring these warnings can actually lead to significant repair costs.
Car leasing firm Hippo Leasing recently published the potential costs involved in fixing issues associated with these lights, using data from garages around the UK. They report that popular car dashboard lights, specifically the engine oil light, could set you back between £270 and a whopping £3,000.
In this blog post, we’re going to take a closer look at some of the most common dashboard warning lights, what might have caused them to appear, and what you should do if you see them.
What Do Car Dashboard Warning Light Colours Mean?
Dashboard warning lights use a traffic light colour system:
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Red: Serious, potentially dangerous issues – stop the car when it's safe and get it checked by a mechanic.
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Yellow/Orange: Something is wrong but not urgent – be cautious and get it checked soon.
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Green/Blue/White: The system is working correctly or currently in use.
You should be aware that It’s normal for some lights to briefly flash when starting the car. If they stay on, it means something needs your attention.
Red Dashboard Warning Lights
The most serious type of warning light, a red dashboard warning light indicates a severe and potentially dangerous issue with the vehicle. You should refrain from driving the car if it has red warning lights showing.
Battery Warning Light
This light resembles a battery. If this pops up, your car’s not charging the way it should. It could be due to a tired alternator, loose wiring, or the battery itself may be worn out.
Can I still drive with my battery charging system light on?
You shouldn't drive if this light is on—it could lead to a sudden power failure and leave you stranded.
Remedy:
Switch off any non-essential systems (like the A/C, radio, or heated seats). Don’t stop and turn off the engine right away, as your car may not start again. Instead, wait until you’re somewhere safe. If it still doesn’t go off, arrange for a mobile mechanic.
Brake Warning Light
Also known as the brake system or parking brake warning light, this usually looks like an exclamation mark inside a circle with two brackets. It means there’s a serious issue with your brakes.
If this light appears while you’re driving, it could simply mean your handbrake is still on. If it stays on even after releasing the handbrake, it might mean you’re low on brake fluid or there’s a problem with the hydraulic brake system—or even worn brake pads.
Can I still drive with my brake warning light on?
Don’t risk it. Brakes are one of your car’s most important safety features. You should not continue driving if this red warning light is on. Instead, keep your speed low, avoid sudden braking, and pull over safely as soon as possible.
Remedy:
It could be a simple fix like topping up the brake fluid. But unless you know how to check it yourself, leave this to a professional.
Power Steering Warning Light
This symbol looks like a steering wheel with an exclamation mark and signals an issue with your power steering system. You’ll usually feel that the wheel is stiffer than normal, making it harder to steer.
Can I drive with the power steering light on?
It’s not advisable because the steering wheel becomes stiffer, making the car harder to control and therefore dangerous to drive.
Remedy:
Find a safe place to stop, turn the car off, and wait a few minutes before restarting. If the light stays on, get it checked by a mechanic as soon as possible.
Engine Temperature Warning Light
Also called the coolant temperature warning light. It looks like a thermometer with a wavy line. This red light comes on when your engine is overheating. This could mean low coolant levels due to a leak or something more serious like a head gasket failure.
Can I still drive with my engine overheating light on?
No. Stop immediately. Driving with an overheating engine is extremely dangerous and could cause serious, irreversible damage.
Remedy:
Wait for the engine to cool before checking the coolant level under the bonnet. If it’s low, top it up. If the light comes back on, you might have a leaky radiator or a bigger issue—get it checked.
Engine Oil Light
This light looks like an oil can and comes on when the oil temperature is too high or when oil levels or pressure are too low.
Can I still drive with my engine oil light on?
No, you shouldn’t. Low or ineffective engine oil means your engine isn’t being lubricated properly, which can lead to expensive or even permanent damage.
Remedy:
Check your oil levels and top up if needed. If the level is fine, it could mean a more serious problem—you should get it checked out by a mechanic.
Amber Dashboard Warning Lights
Amber lights aren’t as urgent as red ones but still indicate something that needs attention.
Tyre Pressure Warning Light
This yellow light looks like an exclamation mark inside a horseshoe. It comes on when there's an issue with one or more tyres, often due to pressure loss, a puncture, or tyre damage.
Can I still drive with my tyre pressure light on?
No, stop as soon as it’s safe. Driving with improperly inflated tyres can lead to damage and increase the risk of accidents.
Remedy:
Avoid sudden braking or sharp turns and contact a professional mechanic.
Check Engine Light
The check engine light is one of the most crucial car warning lights. This light looks like an engine and can indicate anything from a broken sensor or loose fuel cap to serious engine issues. You might notice a loss of power or stuttering as you accelerate.
How long can I drive with the check engine light on?
Some say it's fine to drive for 50–100 miles, while others advise against it entirely. The safest option is to get it checked as soon as possible—driving with this light on could cause further, potentially irreparable damage.
Remedy:
Pull over when safe and call a mechanic.
Car Windscreen Dashboard Lights
These are lights that specifically relate to windscreens.
Windscreen Washer Fluid Light
This amber light looks like a windscreen with water spraying up. When it appears, it simply means your windscreen washer fluid is running low.
Can I still drive with my washer fluid light on?
You might be able to get away with it, but it’s risky. Driving without washer fluid can be dangerous as it's vital for visibility. It’s also a legal offence and could result in a fine of up to £100.
Remedy:
Refill the washer fluid reservoir immediately when the warning light comes on. To avoid being caught off guard by a low washer fluid warning, our premium car screen wash is designed to be compact, effective, and easy to use. Plus, with our flexible no-contract subscription, you’ll always have a fresh supply on hand—saving you the hassle and ensuring your visibility is never compromised when you need it most.
Automatic Windscreen Wipers On
This amber light looks like a windscreen with wiper blades and indicates that your automatic windscreen wipers are activated and will adjust based on rain intensity. Nothing to worry about—it’s more of a reminder than a warning.
So, what is the most serious car warning light?
The check engine warning light is considered one of the most serious dashboard symbols. If it lights up, it could indicate potentially serious damage, so it's important to stop driving your car as soon as it's safe to do so and call a professional mechanic.
If you ignore the check engine light, it could lead to severe engine damage, which might require costly repairs—and in some cases, a full engine replacement. While not every instance results in irreparable damage, continued driving with a serious engine issue can make the problem much worse and reduce the chances of a repair being possible.