Vehicles, which hold an important place in our daily lives, provide great convenience in all areas of transportation. Depending on their intended use, vehicles have different features and operating principles. There are also several details designed to ensure driver safety and vehicle performance. Vehicle warning lights are one of these features. These indicators allow us to see the positive or negative conditions occurring in various vehicle systems.
For example, a problem with the handbrake or brake fluid becomes visible on the dashboard through a vehicle fault warning triangle with an exclamation mark. Dashboard warning lights carry different levels of importance depending on their color—red, yellow, and green being the primary ones.
As Maxray, we have prepared detailed information for you in this article about the meanings of dashboard warning lights and what each of these symbols represents.
Front fog light warning: Indicates that the front fog lights of the vehicle are turned on.
Rear fog light warning: Indicates that the rear fog lights of the vehicle are turned on.
Hazard lights on: Indicates that the vehicle’s hazard (emergency) lights are activated.
High beam warning: Indicates that the high-beam headlights are turned on.
Low beams, turn signals, and brake lights warning: This warning indicates that the low beams, turn signals, or brake lights are turned on or may have a malfunction. It is displayed with a green light.
Lighting malfunction: This warning appears with an amber/orange light. It indicates a fault in one of the vehicle’s lights, such as the parking light, brake light, rear fog light, turn signal, interior light, license plate light, or headlights. When this warning appears, all lights should be checked to identify the issue.
External brake bulb warning: This indicator shows that there is a malfunction in the vehicle’s external brake light bulb.
Headlight level control warning: This symbol indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s headlight level control system.
Adaptive lighting system warning: This indicates that the vehicle’s headlights will automatically adjust the angle of the high and low beams according to road conditions.
Low beam on warning: This light illuminates when the vehicle’s low beam headlights are turned on.
DRL system warning: Indicates that the vehicle automatically turns on the low beam headlights when driving during daylight conditions.
Battery malfunction warning: This warning appears in situations such as a depleted battery or an alternator (charging system) failure. If it appears while the engine is running, it indicates a serious issue.
Exterior light warning: Indicates a malfunction in one of the vehicle’s exterior lights.
Overdrive system off warning: Indicates that the vehicle’s overdrive system has been manually turned off. This warning may appear in blue or red.
Lighting, traction control, or electrical problem warning: This symbol indicates that there is an electrical issue, a lighting malfunction, or a traction control-related problem in the vehicle.
Engine – Fuel and Lubrication Related Vehicle Warning Indicators
Brake warning: When this warning appears, you must press the brake pedal for the engine to start.
Engine malfunction warning: If this light does not turn off after the vehicle starts, or if it turns on while driving, it indicates an engine malfunction.
Engine power warning: Indicates that the power output from the engine has decreased.
Injection system warning: If the warning light does not turn off after the vehicle starts, the vehicle should be stopped and a professional should be contacted.
Catalytic converter warning: This light indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s catalytic converter system.
Engine temperature warning: Indicates that the engine is overheating. The vehicle should be stopped immediately and the engine should be allowed to cool down.
Engine air filter warning: This symbol indicates that the engine’s air filter is dirty or needs to be replaced.
Low fuel warning: A yellow light indicates that the fuel level is low, while a red light signals that the tank is nearly empty. In general, after the red light turns on, the vehicle typically allows for 20 to 40 km of driving.
Fuel filter warning: Indicates that the vehicle’s fuel filter is faulty or clogged.
Fuel filter water level warning: Indicates that the water in the fuel filter has reached its maximum level. In this situation, the accumulated water must be drained from the filter.
Oil level warning: Indicates that the engine oil level is low. When the red light appears, it is accompanied by three beep sounds. The oil level should be checked and the necessary refill or oil change should be performed.
Oil level sensor warning: This warning appears in yellow and is accompanied by a single beep. It indicates a problem with the oil level sensor.
Minimum oil level warning: Indicates that the engine oil level has reached the minimum threshold. It appears in yellow and is accompanied by a single beep.
Change engine oil warning: This indicator light shows that the engine oil needs to be changed.
Gas cap warning: Indicates that the vehicle’s gas cap is not properly tightened or is incorrectly fitted.
Diesel particulate filter warning: This warning light appears when the diesel particulate filter (DPF) becomes clogged with soot.
Water in diesel warning: This warning light indicates the presence of water in the diesel fuel while the vehicle is in motion.
Diesel particulate filter saturation warning: This light illuminates when the diesel particulate filter is at risk of reaching saturation level.
Diesel engine glow plug warning: If this warning light is on, the engine’s glow plugs are heating. The engine should not be started until the warning light turns off.
DPF light warning: Indicates a problem with the diesel particulate filter (DPF) in diesel vehicles.
DEF light warning: Indicates that the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF/AdBlue) level is low.
AdBlue warning: Seen in some diesel vehicles. This light turns on when the tank needs to be refilled with diesel exhaust fluid (AdBlue).
AdBlue system fault warning: Indicates that the system is not filled with the correct standard fluid or that the AdBlue system is not functioning properly.
Brake fluid warning: This warning light illuminates when the vehicle’s brake fluid level is running low.
Automatic transmission warning: This green warning light indicates that you must press the brake pedal for the automatic gear selector to be activated.
Power steering warning: Indicates a problem in the vehicle’s hydraulic power steering system.
Air suspension warning: Indicates an issue with the air suspension system, such as the compressor not generating enough pressure or a possible air leak.
Suspension warning: This red warning light indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s suspension system.
Automatic transmission warning: This yellow warning light appears when there is a malfunction in the automatic transmission system.
Transmission warning: Indicates that the transmission is operating at an inappropriate temperature.
Brake pad warning: This warning appears when the vehicle’s brake pads are worn out.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) active warning: Indicates that the vehicle is currently operating with all-wheel drive engaged.
AWD / 4WD system warning: Shows that there is a malfunction in the vehicle’s four-wheel-drive system.
AWD / 4WD Lock Mode Warning: A red indicator showing that the vehicle’s 4WD Lock mode is currently active.
Master Warning Light: This warning usually appears together with one or more additional warning lights. It indicates that multiple issues may be present in the vehicle.
Injection Warning: If this light turns on while driving, it indicates a possible issue in the automatic transmission system or the injection control unit.
Powertrain Warning: This warning light illuminates when a power transfer or AWD (All-Wheel Drive) fault is detected in the vehicle.
Weather-Related Vehicle Warning Indicators
Winter Mode: A button that should be used for slippery and icy road conditions.
Weather Display: Shows the current outside weather conditions.
Rain Sensor: Measures light refraction during rainy conditions.
Front Defrost Warning: This warning light illuminates when the vehicle’s front windshield defrost function is active.
Rear Defrost Warning: This warning light illuminates when the rear window defrost function is active.
Rain Sensor Warning: This indicator lights up when the vehicle’s rain sensor is active.
Automatic Wiper Warning: Indicates that the vehicle’s automatic windshield wiper system is active.
Windshield Washer Fluid Warning: Indicates that the windshield washer fluid used for cleaning the vehicle’s windows is empty.
Driving and Driving Safety-Related Vehicle Warning Indicators
Following Distance Warning:
This red indicator light warns that the vehicle’s following distance is too close.
Speed Limit Warning:
This warning light illuminates when the vehicle exceeds the set speed limit.
Cruise Control Warning:
This indicator light turns on when the cruise control system is activated.
Lane Departure Warning:
In vehicles equipped with lane assist, this light comes on when a lane change is made without using the turn signal.
Lane Keeping Assist Warning:
This warning appears on the dashboard when the lane keeping assist system is activated.
Adaptive Cruise Control:
This green indicator shows that the vehicle’s adaptive cruise control system is active.
Door Ajar Warning:
Indicates that one or more of the vehicle’s doors are open.
Seat Belt Warning:
Indicates that the driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
Tire Pressure Warning:
This yellow indicator light shows that one or more of the vehicle’s tires have low pressure.
ABS System Warning:
If this light stays on while driving or does not flash when the vehicle starts, it indicates a malfunction in the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
Parking Brake Warning:
This warning light illuminates when the vehicle is fully stopped and the parking brake is engaged.
Parking Assist Warning:
In modern vehicles, this light indicates that the parking assist system is active.
Park Pilot Warning:
This indicator shows that the vehicle’s park pilot (automatic parking assistance) feature is active.
Eco Driving Warning:
This green indicator light shows that the vehicle is in eco or economical driving mode.
Handbrake Warning:
This light illuminates when the handbrake is engaged. If it stays on continuously, it indicates a problem in the braking system.
Steering Lock Warning:
A yellow warning light indicates that the vehicle should be serviced soon, while a red warning light means the vehicle must not be driven.
Airbag or Seat Belt Warning:
Indicates a problem with the vehicle’s airbag system or seat belts.
Trunk Open Warning:
Shows that the vehicle’s trunk lid is open.
Hood Open Warning:
Indicates that the vehicle’s engine hood is open.
Key Warning:
Indicates that the key is not detected in the vehicle or the key chip is not recognized.
Traction Control System Warning:
This light illuminates when the vehicle’s traction control system is active.
Airbag System Warning:
Indicates that the vehicle’s airbag system is deactivated.
Key Warning:
This red indicator light shows that there may be a problem with the key or the ignition system.
Security System Warning:
If this light illuminates while the vehicle is running, it indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s security system.
Key Fob Battery Warning:
This warning light indicates that the battery in the key fob is low.
Traction Control System Warning:
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s traction control system.
Hill Descent Warning:
Shows that the vehicle’s hill descent assist feature is active.
Interior Ventilation Warning:
Indicates that the vehicle’s interior ventilation system is operating.
Forward Collision Warning:
This warning light illuminates when there is a potential risk of a collision.
Blind Spot Warning:
This indicator lights up when an object or vehicle is detected in the vehicle’s blind spot.
