Basic Knowledge Of Warning Light Of Your Car - Vol.197
Having a warning light show up on your dashboard is usually the first sign that you should expect a financial toll on your budget in the near future. But the warning light is also an important vehicle indicator letting you know ahead of time that something is wrong so that you don't end up sitting on the side of the road waiting on a tow truck. Understanding what each light means can help you alleviate any problem that your vehicle might have and to reduce the likelihood of more serious problems developing by ignoring or not being able to detect the problem in the first place. Here is a list of some of the most common symbols to give you some basic knowledge of the warning lights in your car and what they really mean.
Battery Warning
Battery warning lights are indicated by a picture of a battery on your dashboard and are meant to inform you that your battery is not holding a charge. Some reasons for this light coming on your dash could be as simple as a cable has come loose from the battery terminal, but could also signify something more serous such as a problem with alternator. The alternator is responsible for charging the vehicle as you drive, and if it does not perform its duty, the battery will drain and you will not be able to start your vehicle again once you turn off the engine.
Oil Pressure Warning
The oil pressure warning light looks like a small oil can with a drop of oil leaving the spout. This warning sign is an indicator that your vehicle is low on oil. If this warning light does come on, pull into your closest gas station or auto parts store and buy some oil to top it off until you can take your car in for an oil change. If you continue to drive around with low oil levels, your engine could become to hot and eventually weld itself together ruining the engine.
ABS Warning Light
ABS is a sign that there is a problem with the anti-lock breaking system or that the breaking fluid is too low. This warning light is shown by the letters ABS and perhaps a circle around the letters. The anti-lock break system is tasked with preventing your tires from skidding if you have to slam on your breaks to prevent an accident. If the ABS light is showing on your dash, you'll still be able to drive your vehicle as normal and break, but if something happens you could spin out of control and compromise your safety. Take the vehicle to the shop and get it fixed as soon as possible because the longer you ignore it, the riskier your driving activities will be.
Engine Management Light
An engine management light or sometimes known as the "check engine light" looks like an engine or a kind of like a small octagon. This light can mean a number of things and is one of the broadest indicators that something is wrong with your vehicle. If this light comes on and you are still driving your vehicle as usual, make your way over to an auto repair shop and auto parts store and have them run a diagnosis on your vehicle to determine the specific problem that triggered the light. Without this evaluation, you won't have any way of knowing what exactly the issue is.
If you're vehicle begins smoking or doing anything abnormal, pull over to the side of the road and call for a tow truck. Do not try to drive your vehicle down the road any further as this could result in additional damage and ultimately greater repair costs.