Automotive problems have been around since vehicles first graced the road. But human ingenuity has kept pace with modern mechanical wonders. Today, your vehicle uses dashboard warning lights to preempt problems or make current issues easy to solve. With dashboard warning lights, your vehicle can tell you (or your technician) what’s wrong. This leads to fast and proper service.  

DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS - HOW TO SPEAK CAR

Become a dashboard warning light interpreter to impress your friends, or identify what your vehicle is telling you right now if there’s an automotive problem. What follows is a list of common vehicle alerts, notifications, and warning lights.  

Check Engine

The Check Engine light is notorious for being one of the least helpful lights. Many drivers associate it with expensive repairs. However, there are many reasons the Check Engine light may turn on, and some of them are simple. Common triggers include: lose gas cap, bad catalytic converter, bad spark plug, faulty ignition coil, bad mass airflow, and failure of the oxygen sensor.  

ABS

ABS stands for Anti-lock Brake System. This is the system that helps you stop in bad conditions. It prevents your wheels from locking up to reduce the risk of skidding. When you first turn on your vehicle, the ABS light may turn on momentarily as a self-test. If the light stays on while you’re driving, then there’s a problem with the system and a technician should diagnose it. Keep in mind that your brakes will continue to function but without ABS benefits.  

ESP or ESC

Stay calm; your vehicle isn’t trying to tell you about its new psychic abilities. ESP stands for Electronic Stability Program. On some vehicles, this light appears as ESC (Electronic Stability Control) instead. Whatever its name, it’s not a problem. Instead, this dashboard light is letting you know that traction control has activated. It’s important to know that the ESP light or ESC light will not prevent skidding if traction fails, so drive careful.  

Stability Control Off

This light means your Stability Control System is off. Your vehicle will continue to operate normally, but you won’t have traction assistance to prevent skidding. If your Check Engine light is on, then stability control turns off. This is because it relies on sensors from other systems to determine when stability control is necessary. If it can’t get an accurate reading of the situation, it turns off. If this light blinks without the “off” while you’re diving and disappears, this indicates a working system.  

Check Engine

The Check Engine light is notorious for being one of the least helpful lights. Many drivers associate it with expensive repairs. However, there are many reasons the Check Engine light may turn on, and some of them are simple. Common triggers include: lose gas cap, bad catalytic converter, bad spark plug, faulty ignition coil, bad mass airflow, and failure of the oxygen sensor.  

ABS

ABS stands for Anti-lock Brake System. This is the system that helps you stop in bad conditions. It prevents your wheels from locking up to reduce the risk of skidding. When you first turn on your vehicle, the ABS light may turn on momentarily as a self-test. If the light stays on while you’re driving, then there’s a problem with the system and a technician should diagnose it. Keep in mind that your brakes will continue to function but without ABS benefits.  

ESP or ESC

Stay calm; your vehicle isn’t trying to tell you about its new psychic abilities. ESP stands for Electronic Stability Program. On some vehicles, this light appears as ESC (Electronic Stability Control) instead. Whatever its name, it’s not a problem. Instead, this dashboard light is letting you know that traction control has activated. It’s important to know that the ESP light or ESC light will not prevent skidding if traction fails, so drive careful.  

Stability Control Off

This light means your Stability Control System is off. Your vehicle will continue to operate normally, but you won’t have traction assistance to prevent skidding. If your Check Engine light is on, then stability control turns off. This is because it relies on sensors from other systems to determine when stability control is necessary. If it can’t get an accurate reading of the situation, it turns off. If this light blinks without the “off” while you’re diving and disappears, this indicates a working system.  

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