Dashboard warning lights.
What each instrument-panel warning light means and whether you can keep driving. Tap a light to see what to do.
Colour matters: red warns of danger or a serious fault, amber asks you to have it checked soon, and green or blue only tell you that something is switched on.
Which warning light is on?
Point the camera at the instrument cluster: we'll tell you which warning lights are on and whether you can keep driving.
Hold the phone close so the warning lights fill most of the photo, without flash or reflections.
Take a photo of the dashboard with the warning light on. The photo is sent to the AI provider without its location or other hidden data, and it is not stored.
- Stop nowStop in a safe place as soon as you can and switch off the engine.
- Go to a garage soonYou can drive on carefully, but have it checked as soon as possible.
- It can waitIt is not urgent: do what it says when you can.
List of warning lights
Oil pressureStop now
What it means
The engine doesn't have enough oil pressure. Carrying on driving can badly damage it very quickly.
What to do
Stop as soon as you can in a safe place, switch off the engine and do not start it again. Call for assistance.
Engine temperatureStop now
What it means
The engine is overheating.
What to do
Stop in a safe place and switch off the engine. Do not open the coolant tank while hot: wait for it to cool down and call for assistance.
Low coolant levelIn red: Stop nowIn another colour: Go to a garage soon
The answer depends on the colour the light shows.
What it means
Coolant is low and the engine could overheat.
What to do
With the engine cold, check the level in the tank and top up with the right coolant. If it drops often there is a leak: take it to a garage.
Battery chargingStop now
What it means
The battery is not charging, for example because of a fault in the alternator or its belt. The car may run out of power.
What to do
Switch off anything you don't need (air conditioning, radio) and go to a nearby garage. If the engine also overheats or the steering gets heavy, stop: the belt may have snapped.
Handbrake or brake systemStop now
What it means
The handbrake is on or there is a problem with the brakes, for example low brake fluid.
What to do
Check that the handbrake is released. If it stays on with the handbrake released, stop in a safe place and call for assistance: do not keep driving.
AirbagIn red: Stop nowIn another colour: Go to a garage soon
The answer depends on the colour the light shows.
What it means
There is a fault in the airbags or the seat belt pretensioners: they might not work in an accident.
What to do
Take it to a qualified garage as soon as possible. Do not touch the airbags or their connectors.
Power steeringIn red: Stop nowIn another colour: Go to a garage soon
The answer depends on the colour the light shows.
What it means
There is a fault in the power steering: the steering wheel may feel much heavier.
What to do
Drive carefully and slowly to a safe place or a garage. If it is red, stop and call for assistance.
GearboxIn red: Stop nowIn another colour: Go to a garage soon
The answer depends on the colour the light shows.
What it means
There is a fault or a high temperature in the gearbox.
What to do
Drive gently to a safe place. If it is red or there is a burning smell, stop and let it cool down; then take it to a garage.
Low oil levelGo to a garage soon
What it means
The engine is low on oil.
What to do
With the engine cold and the car on level ground, check the level with the dipstick and top up with the oil the manual specifies. If it happens again, take it to a garage.
Brake pad wearGo to a garage soon
What it means
The brake pads are reaching the end of their life.
What to do
Book into a garage soon to have them replaced. In the meantime, brake gently and leave more distance.
ABSGo to a garage soon
What it means
The anti-lock braking system is not working. The brakes still work, but the wheels can lock under hard braking.
What to do
Drive more carefully and leave more distance, especially in the rain, and take it to a garage.
Stability or traction controlGo to a garage soon
What it means
If it flashes while you're driving, the system is intervening because the car has lost grip. If it stays on, the system is switched off or has a fault.
What to do
If it flashes, ease off the accelerator and drive gently. If it stays on, check you haven't switched it off with its button; if you haven't, take it to a garage.
Door, bonnet or boot openGo to a garage soon
What it means
A door, the bonnet or the boot is not properly closed.
What to do
Stop where it is safe and close them properly.
Engine faultGo to a garage soon
What it means
The engine control unit has detected a fault in the engine or the emissions control.
What to do
If it stays on, you can drive gently and should take it to a garage soon to have the fault code read. If it flashes, slow down and stop: the catalytic converter could be damaged.
EPC (electronic engine control)Go to a garage soon
What it means
There is a fault in the electronic throttle or engine control, and the car may lose power.
What to do
Drive gently to a garage to have the fault code read.
Particulate filter (diesel)Go to a garage soon
What it means
The particulate filter is full and needs to regenerate.
What to do
When you can, drive for 15–20 minutes at a steady speed on a motorway. If it doesn't go out, take it to a garage.
AdBlueGo to a garage soon
What it means
AdBlue is low or there is a fault in its system. If it runs out, the car may not start again.
What to do
Top up AdBlue soon. If it stays on afterwards, take it to a garage.
Tyre pressureGo to a garage soon
What it means
One or more tyres have low pressure or there is a puncture.
What to do
Slow down, check the tyres and adjust the pressure at a petrol station. If a tyre is losing air, change it or call for assistance.
Reduced powerGo to a garage soon
What it means
The car limits its power to protect itself from a fault; this is common in hybrids and electric cars.
What to do
Drive carefully to a safe place or a garage.
Immobiliser or keyGo to a garage soon
What it means
If it flashes with the car switched off, that is normal: the immobiliser is active. If it stays on when starting, the car does not recognise the key.
What to do
Try the other key or change the battery in the remote. If it still won't start, call for assistance.
Cold engineIt can wait
What it means
The engine has not reached its working temperature yet.
What to do
Drive gently until it goes out. If it never goes out, mention it at the garage.
Seat beltIt can wait
What it means
Someone is not wearing their seat belt.
What to do
Fasten the seat belt. If it stays on with everyone buckled up, check there are no objects on the seats.
Glow plugs (diesel)It can wait
What it means
It is normal when starting: it shows the diesel engine is preheating. If it flashes or comes on while driving, there is an engine fault.
What to do
Wait for it to go out before starting. If it flashes while driving, take it to a garage.
Low fuelIt can wait
What it means
Fuel is running low.
What to do
Refuel as soon as you can.
Washer fluidIt can wait
What it means
Washer fluid is running low.
What to do
Top up the washer fluid tank.
Bulb failureIt can wait
What it means
An exterior light is not working.
What to do
Check the car's lights and change the bulb or have it changed.
Service dueIt can wait
What it means
Scheduled maintenance is due.
What to do
Book a service at your garage.
Ice warningIt can wait
What it means
The outside temperature is low and there may be ice on the road.
What to do
Drive with extra care.
Start-StopIt can wait
What it means
This is the automatic stop-start indicator; it usually isn't a fault.
What to do
If it is amber or crossed out all the time, check the manual.
Lane assistIt can wait
What it means
The lane keeping assist is switched off or cannot see the lines.
What to do
Check that the windscreen camera is clean. If it stays on, ask a garage about it.
Information lightIt can wait
What it means
It shows that something is on or active; it is not a fault.
What to do
Nothing needs to be done.
Not sure which one yours is?
Scan the dashboard with your camera and we'll tell you which warning lights are on and whether you can keep driving.
Scan my dashboardGuidance only. Symbols vary by brand and your car's manual always prevails. If you notice smoke, a burning smell or a loud noise, stop even if the light is not red.