A lot of different parts and systems need to be in working order for your vehicle to run smoothly. If something goes wrong, you need to be able to find and fix the problem quickly. Even minor issues can lead to serious damage and repairs if you let them sit for long enough. That’s why the car dashboard is full of different lights to let you know when something isn’t working the way it should.

Dashboard warning lights offer a language of their own that you must understand if you want to take good care of your vehicle. Brush up on your knowledge with this guide to the most important car dashboard warning lights and what they mean.

Low Fuel

We’ve all been there: you’re on a tight schedule or traveling along an empty interstate, and you put off stopping for gas. Surely, you can make it a few extra miles, right? That’s when the low fuel light comes on to tell you a pit stop needs to be in your near future. The low fuel indicator pictures the silhouette of a fuel pump.

Luckily, the low fuel light gives you a little bit of a buffer: most vehicles can keep going for at least 30 miles after the light comes on. That said, you never know when traffic, weather, and other complications are going to throw a wrench in your plans. It’s best to plan ahead and find a gas station as soon as that light comes on.

Lamp Out Indicator

The lamp out indicator shows the symbol of a lit bulb or a sun. When this warning light comes on, it means you have a headlamp or a taillight out. While one busted or burnt-out bulb might not be that dangerous—especially if you live in more urban areas—it can lead to pricey tickets if you’re not careful. More importantly, that busted light is going to be frustrating the next time you try to drive in the dark or during bad weather. Save yourself the hassle by replacing that bulb as soon as possible.

Check Engine Light

The check engine light has a way of making your stomach drop whenever you see it, but there’s no need to panic. This warning light shows the silhouette of an engine and indicates that something is wrong with the motor and emissions systems.

Of course, that can mean a lot of different things, which means the check engine light is notoriously ambiguous. The issue might be as minor as a poorly fitted gas cap, but it could also mean something is seriously wrong with your engine.

When the check engine light comes on, your first step is to run a diagnostic scan with the vehicle’s On Board Diagnostic system. This will help you or your mechanic pinpoint the problem and determine how to fix it.

Battery Alert

The battery warning light displays a rectangular battery and shows up when something is wrong with your vehicle’s charging system. This might mean an issue with the battery, such as a dead battery making it impossible to start the car. However, the battery warning light can also indicate an issue with the car’s wiring, alternator, or other electrical components.

Whether you need a jump, a new battery cable, or something else, make sure you find and solve the problem as quickly as you can. Even if your car continues to run normally, the battery warning light might mean that a more subtle and long-term issue exists. By fixing the problem early, you prevent larger, more severe issues from occurring.

Engine Temperature Warning

An overheated engine can cause a lot of problems, including warped cylinder heads, leaky gaskets, and other melted components. If your engine gets too hot, the engine temperature warning light will come on. This shows the image of a thermometer with wavy lines beneath it.

An engine temperature warning light might simply mean that the coolant levels are low. But it can also indicate more serious problems, such as a damaged radiator, broken water pump, or damage to your coolant hose.

Driving with an overheated engine is dangerous for both you and your vehicle. Locate and fix the problem as soon as you can so that you can continue to drive safely and responsibly.

Oil Pressure Light

When learning about important car dashboard warning lights and what they mean, you can’t overlook the oil pressure light. This is a common light that’s pretty easy to decipher. It depicts the image is of an old-fashioned oil can with a drip of oil at the end of the spout. The oil pressure light, as you might have guessed, indicates that something is wrong with your car’s oil pressure system. Usually, this is your sign that it’s time to top off your engine’s oil levels. That said, the oil warning light might also mean something is wrong with the way your engine is circulating fluid.

A lot of things can go wrong if your engine isn’t getting enough lubrication. Keep an eye out for larger problems in the oil pump or piston rings, especially if the light continues to shine after you’ve topped off the oil.

Anti-Lock Braking System Warning

A vehicle’s anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking up when you have to brake suddenly. This allows the tires to maintain traction on the road, which in turn prevents skidding and sliding. When the ABS warning light comes on—with the letters “ABS” inside a circle—it means something is wrong with your anti-lock braking system. There might be a problem with a sensor or wiring somewhere within the system.

Driving without a fully functioning ABS won’t cause any damage to your vehicle, but that doesn’t mean you should put off the repair. The ABS is a crucial part of a completely effective braking system, especially when you come across situations where you have to brake sharply and suddenly.

Tire Pressure Warning Light

Your vehicle’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) monitors the pressure of your tires to make sure none of them are over- or underinflated. If a tire has too much or too little air pressure, the tire pressure warning light will come on. This symbol looks like a round tire with treads on the bottom and an exclamation point in the center.

When this warning light comes on, check each individual tire’s pressure to find the source of the problem. As soon as you’re able, add or deplete air as needed to reach your vehicle’s optimal tire pressure.

Car trouble can be a hassle, but the process becomes much less stressful once you know what you’re dealing with. Once your dashboard lights tell you what the problem is, get to work fixing it with high-quality parts and tools from Auto Value. Our online car parts store has everything you need to keep your vehicle running smoothly mile after mile.