A guide to 16 common dashboard lights: how to recognise them, what they can mean and when to stop safely.
Full guide
Dashboard warning lights: what each one means and what to do
Red means stop safely, yellow or amber means get it checked soon, green or blue is information. Learn what the 16 most common lights indicate and when to read the OBD codes.
A guide to 16 common dashboard lights: how to recognise them, what they can mean and when to stop safely.
Symbols, colours and instructions vary with model, year and equipment. The colours below are typical examples. The dashboard message and vehicle handbook take priority.
General guide Editorial review: 17 October 2026 Possible causes
- An active function or an ignition self-test, without a fault.
- A condition needing attention or a fault; the symbol, message and vehicle behaviour determine the next steps.
What to check
- Read the complete message and note the colour, flashing and whether the light stays on after starting.
- Record the model, year and engine; photograph the dashboard only when safely stopped.
- Do not clear faults or disconnect the battery merely to extinguish a warning.
Stop safely for a stop instruction, oil pressure warning, overheating or impaired braking. Switch off the engine for oil pressure warnings or overheating. Seek assistance and follow the handbook.
A warning light does not automatically identify an OBD code. A generic scanner may not access ABS, airbag or body modules; system-specific diagnostics may be needed.
How to interpret the colours
- Red — identify the warning immediately: it can signal a serious problem or a safety reminder such as an unfastened belt.
- Amber / yellow — needs attention; some functions may be unavailable. It does not automatically mean driving can continue without checks.
- Green — usually indicates an active function.
- Blue — commonly main beam; on some models, a blue thermometer indicates a cold engine.
Brief illumination at ignition can be a self-test. Flashing has different meanings across systems: ESP can be intervening normally, whereas a flashing engine light can require urgent action.
16 common dashboard lights
Illustrative symbol. Appearance may vary between models. Red Urgency: Stop safely urgently; switch off the engine if it stays on while driving.
- How to recognise it
- Oil can with a drop.
- What it can mean
- With the engine running, it can indicate insufficient pressure, not simply a low level.
- What to do
- Stop safely and switch off the engine. If the warning persists, do not drive even with a correct oil level; seek assistance.
Open the warning-light guide → Illustrative symbol. Appearance may vary between models. Red Urgency: Stop safely for an overheating warning; allow the engine to cool.
- How to recognise it
- Thermometer above waves.
- What it can mean
- A red warning can indicate overheating. On some cars, the same symbol in blue indicates a cold engine.
- What to do
- Stop safely and allow the engine to cool. Never open a hot expansion tank; follow the message and handbook.
Open the warning-light guide → Illustrative symbol. Appearance may vary between models. Red Urgency: Check the parking brake; if the warning persists or braking is affected, stop and seek assistance.
- How to recognise it
- Exclamation mark or P in a circle.
- What it can mean
- It can indicate an applied parking brake, low fluid or a braking fault.
- What to do
- If the red warning remains after releasing the parking brake, stop safely and do not continue, even if the pedal feels normal. Seek assistance.
Open the warning-light guide → Illustrative symbol. Appearance may vary between models. Red Urgency: Stop somewhere safe and arrange checks; the engine may stop as the battery runs down.
- How to recognise it
- Battery with plus and minus signs.
- What it can mean
- With the engine running, it indicates a charging problem, not necessarily a battery that needs replacement.
- What to do
- Switch off non-essential electrical loads and find a safe place. Arrange prompt checks; stop the engine for overheating or other serious warnings.
Open the warning-light guide → Illustrative symbol. Appearance may vary between models. Amber / yellow Urgency: Steady: arrange diagnosis promptly. Flashing, shaking or loss of power: urgent action, stop safely.
- How to recognise it
- Engine outline, usually amber.
- What it can mean
- Steady illumination: the system detected a fault. It does not identify the failed part.
- What to do
- Flashing can indicate catalyst-damaging misfires: avoid engine load and stop safely if it runs roughly. Arrange diagnostics; do not clear codes before reading them.
Open the warning-light guide → Illustrative symbol. Appearance may vary between models. Amber / yellow Urgency: Prompt inspection; with a brake warning or abnormal braking, stop safely.
- How to recognise it
- ABS lettering in a circle.
- What it can mean
- Anti-lock operation may be unavailable. Basic braking can remain, but do not assume all braking functions are normal.
- What to do
- Increase following distance and avoid abrupt braking. Arrange checks; stop and seek assistance for a red brake warning or abnormal pedal feel.
Open the warning-light guide → Illustrative symbol. Appearance may vary between models. Amber / yellow Urgency: Flashing: may be normal intervention. Steady: check whether disabled; if persistent, arrange diagnosis.
- How to recognise it
- Car with wavy skid marks; sometimes ESP or ESC text.
- What it can mean
- Flashing can mean the system is intervening on a slippery surface. A steady light can indicate deactivation or a fault, depending on the symbol and message.
- What to do
- Adjust speed to grip conditions. Check whether the system was switched off; arrange checks for an unexplained persistent warning.
Open the warning-light guide → Illustrative symbol. Appearance may vary between models. Red Urgency: Arrange inspection promptly: crash protection may be reduced.
- How to recognise it
- Seated person with a circle in front.
- What it can mean
- It can indicate a restraint system fault. The passenger airbag deactivation indicator is separate.
- What to do
- Arrange prompt inspection. Do not assume all airbags will operate; do not disconnect connectors or probe circuits with improvised equipment.
Open the warning-light guide → Illustrative symbol. Appearance may vary between models. Amber / yellow Urgency: Stop safely and check tyres; do not continue with a flat or severely low pressure.
- How to recognise it
- Exclamation mark inside a tyre outline.
- What it can mean
- It can indicate low pressure. Flashing followed by steady illumination may mean a monitoring fault, depending on the vehicle.
- What to do
- Stop safely and inspect the tyres. Check cold pressures against the vehicle placard; correct them before resetting. Do not drive on a damaged tyre.
Open the warning-light guide → Illustrative symbol. Appearance may vary between models. Amber / yellow Urgency: May be normal before starting; flashing or remaining lit after starting requires checks.
- How to recognise it
- Coil or spring-shaped symbol.
- What it can mean
- At ignition, it can indicate normal preheating. Illumination or flashing while driving can mean something else; it does not alone prove failed glow plugs.
- What to do
- Wait for it to go out before starting if the handbook requires it. For a warning while driving, read the message and arrange diagnostics.
Open the warning-light guide → Illustrative symbol. Appearance may vary between models. Amber / yellow Urgency: Follow the handbook promptly; with additional warnings or limp mode, arrange diagnosis.
- How to recognise it
- Rectangular dotted filter with exhaust lines.
- What it can mean
- It can request filter cleaning or indicate a system problem; the exact message matters.
- What to do
- Follow only the cleaning instructions for your vehicle. Do not initiate forced regeneration without diagnosis. Seek service for additional warnings or limited power.
Open the warning-light guide → Illustrative symbol. Appearance may vary between models. Amber / yellow Urgency: Act before the displayed range expires; an SCR fault needs diagnosis.
- How to recognise it
- AdBlue text or reagent/exhaust symbol.
- What it can mean
- It can mean low reagent level or an SCR fault. A countdown message can warn that restarting will be prevented.
- What to do
- Follow the message and refill the correct tank according to the handbook. Never add AdBlue to diesel fuel. Arrange checks if the level is sufficient or the warning persists.
Open the warning-light guide → Illustrative symbol. Appearance may vary between models. Red Urgency: Before driving: fasten occupants’ seat belts correctly.