What does this warning light mean? Tap it and find out.
Plain-English explanations of the common dashboard lights: what it means, how urgent it is, and whether you should keep driving. Then book it in or ask Lois.
Pick the light that's showing
Tap the light that's showing. Colours follow the usual rule: red = stop when safeamber = get it checked soongreen/blue = information
General guidance for common lights — symbols and meanings vary by make, so check your handbook. Not sure which light it is? Photograph it and ask Lois.
Three rules that cover most lights
- Red means stop. Oil pressure, coolant temperature, brakes, charging: pull over when it's safe and don't drive on until you know why. The car is usually telling you it's about to hurt itself.
- Amber means soon. Engine management, ABS, DPF, tyre pressure: drive carefully and book a check in the next few days. Most amber lights are also MOT fails, so they don't go away by themselves.
- Flashing is worse than steady. A flashing engine light is a misfire that's dumping fuel into the exhaust; a flashing glow-plug light is a fault. Treat flashing as red.
What a diagnostic actually is
We plug in and read the stored fault codes, but the code only says which circuit complained — not why. The diagnostic hour is spent testing the part, the wiring and the readings so we fix the cause rather than clearing the light and hoping. You get the findings and a photographed quote before anything is done, and it's £48 an hour including VAT.
This guide is general. Symbols, colours and the exact meaning vary between manufacturers — your handbook is the final word, and if you're unsure whether the car is safe to drive, stop and ring us.
Quick answers
Can I drive with the engine management light on?
A steady amber engine management light usually means you can drive gently and book a diagnostic. If it is flashing, or the engine is juddering or losing power, stop when safe: a misfire can damage the catalytic converter.
What should I do if the oil pressure light comes on?
Stop when safe and switch the engine off. Low oil pressure means the engine is not being lubricated and can be destroyed in minutes. Check the oil level; if it is fine, have the car recovered rather than driven.
What does a red warning light mean compared with amber?
Red lights mean stop when it is safe and investigate before driving on. Amber lights mean a fault or a reminder that should be checked soon. Green and blue lights are information only.