Control lights and warning signals in the car: these are the meanings
If one of the indicator lights in your car lights up, you should under no circumstances ignore the warning signals and act immediately. We show you what the different signals mean and what to do in such a case.
Auto: Coolant indicator light flashes
The coolant lamp consists of a thermometer and two shafts. The coolant ensures that the engine does not overheat and can do its job in optimal conditions.
- If the coolant lamp lights up right at the start, the problem is with the supply. The container for the coolant is usually leaking or a hose is defective.
- You can easily check for yourself whether coolant is missing or has leaked. On many models you will find a round, transparent container with an often pink liquid under the bonnet. If you have coolant, you can refill the cooling water yourself.
- If the car is regularly inspected, it is usually not necessary to add cooling water. Therefore, drive to the nearest workshop immediately and have the problem remedied. As long as the engine is cold and you only drive a few kilometers, the engine cannot overheat. However, keep an eye on the temperature display in the cockpit.
- If the problem occurs while driving, you should also visit a workshop as soon as possible. Keep an eye on the temperature, the limit of 100 degrees should not be exceeded. If so, leave the car there and let it cool down.
Engine control lamp is on - what to do?
- In contrast to many other warning signals, the engine warning light is orange and not red. However, this does not mean that you should underestimate the danger.
- If the lamp lights up, you should also immediately go to the nearest workshop. The fault memory is read out there to determine the exact problem.
- The engine warning light can address many problems. The fault is not necessarily in the engine itself, the downstream exhaust system can also be affected.
Battery lamp in the car lights up
- If the battery indicator light comes on, in the worst case you cannot even start the car. If the battery is defective or the charge is too weak, the engine will not be ignited.
- The battery discharges quickly, especially in winter. In such a case, you can charge the car battery yourself or bypass the car battery.
- If the car still starts, the cause is not the battery. Alternator or voltage regulator can cause problems. Here, too, you should have the error clarified and repaired in the workshop.
Control lamp for the brake
- If you pulled the handbrake while driving, the lamp lights up directly. But this lamp can also come on while driving.
- Then special caution is required. The brake or the brake hoses may have a defect. Release the gas and try to brake gently.
- Even if you do not notice any problems with the brakes, you should only drive very carefully from now on and not accelerate unnecessarily. Drive to the nearest workshop immediately.
- Modern cars recognize when the brake pads are over. The two outer lines are then mostly broken. In such a case, there is no acute danger yet, but a change is imminent.
Oil control lights: oil level too low?
If the oil indicator light comes on, the problem is critical, but you can fix it pretty quickly.
- The lamp lights up whenever the oil level is too low. When the engine is warmed up, you can measure the oil level and see how much oil is missing.
- In general, however, you should refill the oil directly when the lamp lights up. You can get new oil at any workshop or petrol station.
- In the following practical tip, we will show you how to measure the oil level in your car and how to add oil.
In the next practical tip we will show you 10 brilliant lifehacks for your car.