Car Dashboard Warning Lights Explained (UK)

This light tells you that The Adaptive Cruise Control and speed limiter are active.

If this light begins to flash or changes colour to amber, then you have exceeded the maximum speed set on the limiter.

Reduce your speed to remove any warning lights.

This dashboard light is informing you that your Electronic Parking Brake.

The EPB can be switched off manually and activates when your engine is running but have come to a stop.

This stops your vehicle from rolling backwards down a hill when you are about to pull away.

This light indicates that the lane assist system is switched on and active.

The lane assist system is capable of detecting road markings.

This system light will only appear on vehicles fitted with an automatic transmission.

The dashboard light is informing you that you need to press and hold the brake when the gear lever has been moved out of the park position.

The cruise control light will display when you activate the cruise control system.

The light informs you that it is active and your vehicle will maintain the speed you have set.

This dashboard warning light will appear when your brake light bulbs are defective or blown.

To fix this issue, simply check your bulbs and replace the faulty brake light bulb.

You can replace brake light bulbs through ABD.co.uk.

This light will warn you when your brake pads are worn.

Contact a garage and get this issue resolved as soon as possible.

If any of your bulbs are faulty or blown, this light will warn you that one of the exterior bulbs has an issue.

Most modern vehicles will tell you which bulb it is.

This system light will only appear on vehicles fitted with an automatic transmission.

The dashboard light is informing you that you need to press and hold the brake when the gear lever has been moved out of the park position.

The warning light indicates that there is an issue with the ABD or ESP functions and may they may not work correctly.

Either call roadside assistance or drive to a certified garage to inspect the issue.

There may be a fault with your power steering.

If it is safe to do so, drive to a garage to get this repaired or contact roadside assistance.

There may be a fault with either the airbag or the seatbelt system.

The airbags may not work if you get into an accident.

Ensure you take your vehicle to a garage  to examine this issue immediately.

It is possible that the lane assist system is failing to detect road markings.

This should not have any impact on your driving normally but should be repaired sooner rather than later.

The headlights will not dip automatically.

The dipped headlights will still operate manually.

This warning light is telling you that your windscreen washer fluid is nearly empty.

You will need to top this up shortly to ensure maximum vision and safety when driving.

This light can indicate that there may be an issue with your tyre pressure or the sensor needs to be repaired.

Check the tyre pressure with a tyre pressure gauge and ensure all levels are correct.

If they are low, refill your tyre pressure accordingly.

This light signifies that the rear lamp is switched on.

Please ensure your rear fog lights are turned off when visibility has returned.

Your vehicle is low on fuel and will need to be refilled shortly.

If the warning continues after you have topped up, take your vehicle to an authorised garage.

As the title indicates, you may have water in your fuel tank.

This can damage your engine so make sure to call a garage before proceeding to drive.

Action will be required as soon as possible with this warning light.

It indicates that there is a fault with your electronic parking brake.

This light shows there is a fault with your stability control or it has been manually disabled.

One of more of your airbags have been disabled.

Make sure the airbags that are off should be off.

There is a fault in the headlight control system.

You may not be able to adjust the height of your dipped beam headlight bulbs until this is fixed.

Your engine oil level may be low and require topping up.

If this light flashes, the sensor that checks your oil level may be faulty.

If this light appears, you will need to stop the car as soon as possible.

Your DPF may be blocked and need to be cleaned / regenerated.

This can be resolved by driving at least 37mph for 15 minutes, keeping your engine speed between 1800-2500rpm.

If this can’t be done, take the vehicle out of gear and rev for a minute or two.

Remove your key for 30 seconds and re-start the engine. If the vehicle is vibrating or down on power, contact roadside assistance immediately.

Engine management warning lamp on (petrol engines only)

These are often referred to as “spark plugs” and the light will come on before you turn the ignition to start you car.

If your handbrake is not applied, this may indicate there is an issue with the handbrake or brake fluid level.

If your handbrake is even slightly raised then this warning light will turn on.

Your bonnet might not be fully closed.

If the bonnet is completely secure and the warning light is still on then contact a repair service to fix this issue.

Your boot might not be fully closed.

If the boot is completely secure and the warning light is still on then contact a repair service to fix this issue.

This warning light indicates there is a fault with your airbags or seat belt system.

Drive carefully to your local garage, have the systems checked and repaired.

If there was an accident, your airbags might fail to deploy so get this checked immediately.

Their is an issue with your vehicle charging system.

This could typically be due to a faulty alternator failing to charge the battery as you drive or due to a faulty battery.

Either the driver or a passenger does not have their seat belt fastened.

If the warning light is appearing without any passengers in the vehicle or the seat belts are correctly secured, there may be an issue with a sensor.

If this warning light appears, do not drive your vehicle.

There may be an issue with your steering lock.

There may be an issue with your power steering.

Remove the key from the ignition for 30 seconds and start the engine again.

If the light still appears, contact a garage as soon as possible.

If this light appears, turn off the engine immediately and check the oil level.

Top up the required level and turn the vehicle back on. If the light still appears you will need to contact a technician as soon as possible.

Check your coolant level immediately.

If the coolant level is OK but the light is still appearing, contact a local garage to investigate the issue.