Warning lights are important signs that something in your car needs to be checked. Usually, a dashboard light means that either your car needs a routine maintenance service such as an oil change, or that a part of your vehicle, such as the brakes, tire pressure monitoring system, airbag system, or engine is not functioning properly. While warning lights are sometimes for routine procedures, ignoring warning lights is extremely dangerous. By ignoring a car warning light, you could be allowing a minor problem to worsen, or putting yourself more at risk for an emergency situation due to a serious issue.
Understanding Car Dashboard Warning Lights
Common warning lights may be either yellow/orange or red, with red lights indicating an emergency where urgent attention is needed, and yellow/orange indicating that the affected part of your vehicle should be checked by a mechanic as soon as possible.
Common dashboard warning lights include:
- Check engine light
- Oil pressure warning light
- Tire pressure warning light
- Brake system warning light
- Seat belt reminder light
- Airbag warning light
- Engine temperature warning light
- Oil pressure warning light
- Lane departure warning light
- Anti-lock braking system warning light (ABS warning light)
- Low fuel indicator light
- Power steering system warning light
- Traction control system light
It’s important to be familiar with the car dashboard symbols for each issue when you encounter them, as well as to know the steps to take depending on the color of the light — these can be found in the owner’s manual for your car. Red lights mean that you need to pull over immediately, turn off the car, and call a repair shop to determine whether your car is safe to drive or needs to be towed. Yellow or orange lights typically mean that your car is due for a particular service soon, so you should take your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible.
Reasons People Ignore Warning Lights
People ignore warning lights for several reasons, including a lack of knowledge or understanding about warning lights, fear of needing expensive repairs or maintenance, beliefs that the issue will resolve on its own, or misguided reliance on outdated driving habits. If you’re thinking of ignoring a warning light for any reason, it’s important to remember the risk that comes to both you and other drivers by doing so. While the warning light may look unimportant, it is possible to worsen into a dangerous situation if not taken care of, so it’s crucial you never ignore any light on your car’s dashboard.
Consequences of Ignoring a Warning Light
Ignoring warning lights can lead to increased safety risks for the driver and passengers, as well as possible damage to the vehicle’s engine or other vital components. Not only that, but ignoring a warning light can also escalate minor repairs into major, expensive repairs, which you want to avoid. It can also negatively impact vehicle performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions.
The Importance of Timely Action
Properly addressing warning lights keeps you, your passengers, and your vehicle safe; it prevents further damage to your car and is the most cost-effective option compared to ignoring the issue and dealing with an expensive repair down the road. Taking early intervention against any issues in your car also extends the lifespan of your vehicle by ensuring problems are taken care of before they become dangerous or harder to repair.
If you experience a warning light and do not know what to do, don’t hesitate to call or schedule an appointment with Specialty Automotive. We’ll let you know the service you need to keep your car running at the most affordable cost.
Seeking Professional Help
When a warning light begins to appear on your dashboard, seeking professional diagnostics and maintenance is your best — and safest — option. It’s important to choose a reputable repair shop, like Specialty Automotive, to assess whether your car needs immediate repairs or simply a routine service.
Preventative Measures to Avoid Warning Lights
To avoid running into warning lights and needing services down the road, you should schedule regular vehicle maintenance and servicing to keep your car in top shape. If you are experiencing an unusual sound or smell coming from your car, or if your car is not accelerating or braking properly, it’s important to take your car to a repair shop to be checked, even if no warning light has yet appeared.
Responsible driving can also minimize issues, including pulling over as soon as a warning light appears. Being defensive and attentive in your driving also lowers the risk of running into any issues that would trigger a warning light initially.
Conclusion
Paying attention to warning lights ensures that your vehicle remains safe to drive. If any warning light appears on your vehicle’s dashboard, it’s important to take the proper steps to get your car repaired or checked. Properly addressing warning lights can only help you, both right away and for your vehicle’s safety in the long run, so it’s important you take them seriously.