Dashboard Warning Lights: What Each Symbol Means
Dashboard warning lights follow a color code: red means stop or act now (oil pressure, engine temperature, brakes), amber or yellow means a fault to check soon (check engine, ABS, traction control, tire pressure), and green or blue means a system is on. Here are 27 common lights, what each means and whether you can keep driving.
Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research
Stop drivingStop driving
Pull over where it is safe and shut the engine off, or do not start the trip.
Flashing Check Engine Light
The Flashing Check Engine Light means the engine is misfiring severely enough to send unburned fuel into the exhaust, which can quickly overheat and damage the catalytic converter.
Oil Pressure Light
The Oil Pressure Light means the engine's oil pressure has dropped below a safe level, so moving parts may not be getting enough lubrication.
Coolant Temperature Light
The Coolant Temperature Light means the engine coolant is too hot, and continued driving can warp the cylinder head, blow the head gasket, or seize the engine.
Brake Warning Light
The Brake Warning Light means the parking brake is applied or the brake system has a problem such as low brake fluid or a hydraulic fault.
Transmission Temperature Light
The Transmission Temperature Light means the transmission fluid is too hot, which can quickly break down the fluid and damage clutches, bands, and seals.
Get it checked soonGet it checked soon
Usually drivable with care, but a safety system or the engine may be compromised.
Check Engine Light
The Check Engine Light means the engine computer has detected a fault in the engine, fuel, ignition, or emissions system and stored a diagnostic trouble code.
ABS Light
The ABS Light means the anti-lock brake system has detected a fault and turned itself off, so the wheels can lock up during hard braking.
Airbag Light
The Airbag Light means the supplemental restraint system has found a fault, and one or more airbags or seat belt pretensioners may not deploy in a crash.
Battery Light
The Battery Light means the charging system is not supplying the expected voltage, so the vehicle is running on battery power and may soon stall or fail to restart.
Tire Pressure Light
The Tire Pressure Light means at least one tire is significantly below its recommended pressure, or the tire pressure monitoring system has a fault.
Power Steering Light
The Power Steering Light means the power steering assist system has a fault and steering may become heavy, especially at low speeds.
DEF Light
The DEF Light means the diesel exhaust fluid tank is low or the selective catalytic reduction system has a fault that will limit engine performance if not corrected.
Reduced Engine Power
The Reduced Engine Power warning means the engine computer has limited throttle and power to protect the engine or for safety after detecting a fault, often in the electronic throttle system.
Wrench Light
The Wrench Light on Ford and Lincoln vehicles is a powertrain malfunction indicator meaning the engine or transmission computer has found a fault, often in the electronic throttle or transmission.
Service StabiliTrak
The Service StabiliTrak message means GM's electronic stability and traction control system has detected a fault and has been disabled.
DPF Light
The DPF Light means the diesel particulate filter is becoming clogged with soot and needs a regeneration, or the filter system has a fault.
Brake Pad Wear Light
The Brake Pad Wear Light means a pad-wear sensor has detected that the brake pads have worn down to their replacement limit.
Master Warning Light
The Master Warning Light means the vehicle has a message on the driver information display that needs your attention, and the severity depends on that message.
CautionCaution
A feature is off or something needs attention at the next convenient stop.
Traction Control Light
The Traction Control Light means the system that limits wheel spin is either working right now (flashing), switched off, or disabled by a fault (steady).
Glow Plug Light
The Glow Plug Light shows that a diesel engine's glow plugs are preheating the cylinders, and if it flashes or stays on while driving it signals a fault.
Lane Departure Warning Light
The Lane Departure Warning Light shows the status of the camera-based system that alerts you when the car drifts out of its lane, and amber means it is unavailable or faulty.
Forward Collision Warning Light
The Forward Collision Warning Light alerts you to an imminent risk of hitting a vehicle ahead, or, when steady amber, shows that the collision warning or automatic braking system is unavailable.
Low Fuel Light
The Low Fuel Light means the fuel tank has reached its reserve level and you should refuel soon.
Security Light
The Security Light shows the status of the anti-theft immobilizer, and if it stays on or flashes rapidly when trying to start, the system may not recognize the key.
AWD/4WD Light
The AWD/4WD Light shows the status of the all-wheel or four-wheel-drive system, and amber or flashing means a fault or temporary disablement.
Seat Belt Light
The Seat Belt Light means the driver or a front passenger is not buckled, or the system thinks a seat is occupied without a fastened belt.
IndicatorIndicators & reminders
Status lights and reminders rather than faults.
Have a code from a scanner?
Look it up in our OBD-II codes list — meaning, severity, causes and fixes for common generic codes like P0420, P0171 and P0300.
Frequently asked questions
What do the colors of dashboard warning lights mean?
By convention, red means a serious problem or safety issue that needs attention now, amber or yellow means a fault or condition to check soon, and green or blue means a system is on. Exact symbols and colors vary by manufacturer, so the owner’s manual is the final word.
Which warning lights mean stop driving immediately?
A red oil pressure light, a red engine temperature light, a red brake warning light with a soft or low brake pedal, and a flashing check engine light are the most urgent. Pull over where it is safe and shut the engine off rather than continuing.
Why do all the lights come on when I start the car?
Most warning lights illuminate briefly at key-on as a bulb and system check, then go out within a few seconds. A light that stays on after the engine starts is reporting a real condition.
Can a warning light be checked with an OBD-II scanner?
The check engine light is tied to OBD-II powertrain codes that any generic scan tool can read. ABS, airbag, traction control and TPMS lights store codes in their own modules, which usually needs a scan tool that can read those systems.
Sources
- 49 CFR 571.101 (FMVSS No. 101) — Controls and displays: telltale symbols and colors
- 49 CFR 571.135 (FMVSS No. 135) — Light vehicle brake systems, including the brake warning telltale
- 49 CFR 571.138 (FMVSS No. 138) — Tire pressure monitoring systems
- 49 CFR 571.126 (FMVSS No. 126) — Electronic stability control systems
- 49 CFR 571.208 (FMVSS No. 208) — Occupant crash protection, including the air bag readiness indicator
- U.S. EPA — Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs
General information, not a diagnosis of your vehicle. Symbols and colors vary by manufacturer; check your owner’s manual.