We all start to panic a little when we see the check engine light blinking, but what does it really mean and what should be our next step of action? It's important to understand what dashboard blinking lights mean, as sometimes your car will need immediate attention. By brushing up on your owner's manual lingo, you'll be calm, cool, collected and ready to take action.
Below you'll find a list of common vehicle warning lights and what they really mean.
- Check engine light. When the check engine light comes on, it can mean a lot of things. In fact, over 4,000 things. Your check engine light is hiding a code and the problem to be determined lies within that code. You can stop by a mechanic's shop and have him uncover the problem or you can buy a reader and do it yourself.
Service engine light. This means that your car is getting close to a scheduled maintenance interval. If the light comes on for a couple of seconds and then turns off, it usually means you have a few hundred miles to go before the checkup. If it flashes, that probably means you've exceeded maintenance service and it's time to get your car checked out.Brake warning light. This light works to inform you that something is wrong with you car's breaking system. You should check your owner's manual for the exact reason behind this light, as the brake warning light doesn't have a standard meaning. In fact, every manufacturer has a different standard for this light, so it could mean fluid is low, the parking brake is on, or something more serious.Coolant warning light. If your coolant warning light comes on, this means that the level of coolant in your radiator is low and is in need of a fill up. Remember, when you fill the coolant bottle, do not open the radiator cap when the engine is still hot. This could result in a major burn, so make sure the engine has had sufficient time to cool off. You can easily purchase coolant fluid at a car shop and most gas stations sell it as well. This coolant mixture acts as a protectant, as it works like antifreeze in the winter and even a corrosion-inhibitor to stop engine rusting.Oil warning light. If you notice your oil warning light has come on, your oil pressure is too low and you need to do something about it ASAP. If you continue to drive with your oil warning light on, your car's engine will eventually die. Low oil pressure can be caused by a variety of things, including a blocked oil filter, a broken oil pump or simply low oil levels. Either way, this light needs to be attended to and fast. As you can see, warning lights can mean a variety of different things. However, by searching through your owner's manual and utilizing the tips listed above, you may be able to pinpoint a problem. It's nice to go into the auto shop and have some idea of why a certain light is flashing. Besides having knowledge, you'll also show the mechanics that you know a thing or two about cars, and you're not someone who will just fall for anything.
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