Every time you turn the ignition key or press the engine start button, the driver sees a whole garland of different symbols light up for a split second. This is a regular procedure of self-diagnosis of the onboard system OBD-II, which checks the serviceability of all the main components of the vehicle before starting the movement. However, if any of these symbols continues to burn or blink after the engine is started, it is a direct signal of a malfunction or a special mode of operation of the machine.
Understanding the language of car indicators is a critical skill that can save the engine from major repairs and passengers from a road accident. Color-coding Here, it plays a crucial role: red usually requires an immediate stop, yellow warns you about the need for a quick visit to the service, and green or blue only informs you about the inclusion of certain functions.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the meaning of the most common and frightening icons so that you can confidently assess the state of your life. motor-car. Do not ignore the signals of the onboard computer, as modern electronics can warn about the problem long before it becomes audible by ear or noticeable in the control.
Color classification of indicators and priority of actions
The first thing to look out for when you light up any symbol is its color. Car manufacturers adhere to a single international standard, according to which red indicates a critical malfunction that requires immediate intervention. If you see a red indicator, the movement is extremely undesirable, and in some cases it is strictly forbidden, as this can lead to the destruction of units or accidents.
Yellow or orange signals a warning. This means that deviations from the norm are found in the operation of the system, but the operation of the car in a gentle mode is possible until the moment of visiting the maintenance station. Ignoring such signals in the long run often results in costly repairs.
The green and blue indicators are informational. They tell the driver that a certain function is activated, for example, the passing beam is turned on, cruise control is running, or economical driving mode is activated. Such signs require no action other than awareness of the current state of the machine's systems.
- 🔴 Red. - danger, immediate stop and check (oil pressure, overheating, brake system) is required.
- 🟡 Yellow/Orange - warning, malfunction is not critical, but requires attention (low fuel level, engine error, wear of pads).
- 🟢 Green/Blue - information signal about the operation of service functions (light, turn indicators, eco-mode).
Critical indicators of red
The worst thing for any internal combustion engine is the burning of a red oil. This symbol indicates oil-pressure drop in the lubrication system. It is strictly forbidden to move with a burning oil pressure indicator: even a few hundred meters can lead to the turning of the crankshaft liners and the need for a complete replacement of the engine. The cause can be both low oil levels and malfunction of the oil pump.
The second important red symbol is a thermometer immersed in liquid, or an inscription. TEMP. It signals overheating of the coolant. Continuation of movement with an overheated engine leads to deformation of the cylinder head and jamming of the piston group. In such a situation, you need to stop, let the engine cool (without opening the radiator cover immediately to avoid burns) and check the level of antifreeze.
⚠️ Attention: If the red battery indicator lights up, it does not mean the battery is discharged, but the lack of charging from the generator. The car will work only until the battery is fully discharged, after which the engine will stall, and the electric power steering and braking system may fail.
Also to the red zone is the indicator of the braking system, often denoted by an exclamation mark in a circle or an abbreviation. BRAKE. It can light up with the hand brake lowered, but if the lever is raised and the lamp is burning, this indicates a drop in the level of brake fluid or depressurization of the contour. Operating a car in this condition is deadly.
The red indicator is always an order to stop. Ignoring these symbols makes the car an uncontrollable danger for all participants in the movement.
Yellow warning signals
Most often, drivers are frightened by the symbol “Check Engine” – the silhouette of the engine. This indicator lights up when the electronic control unit (EBOU) detects an error in the operation of the engine or exhaust systems. The causes can be trivial, such as poor fuel quality or candle failure, and serious, such as problems with a catalyst or lambda probe. If the lamp is on and the behavior of the car has not changed, you can get to the service. If it flashes, the load on the engine should be minimal.
Indicator ABS in the yellow circle reports a malfunction of the anti-lock brake system. It is important to understand that when this lamp is lit, the brake system itself continues to work properly, but the function of preventing wheel locking during emergency braking is disabled. The driver should be careful on a slippery road and avoid sudden movements.
Another common yellow sign is the picture of the battery with plus and minus inside. Unlike the red one, this symbol often indicates a battery malfunction or a charge chain problem in hybrid cars. Also, a low fuel indicator may be lit in yellow, which is a reminder of the need to refuel to avoid dirt from the tank entering the fuel system.
- 🔧 Check Engine - an error in the engine control system, computer diagnostics is required.
- 🛑 ABS - malfunction of the anti-lock system, the brakes work in normal mode.
- 🔋 Battery (yellow) Problems with the battery or energy recovery system.
- 💨 Exhaust pipe - malfunction of the exhaust gas neutralization system (catalyst, particulate filter).
Why is the Check Engine flashing?
If the Check Engine indicator flashes, this means that unburned fuel enters the engine cylinders, which burns out in the exhaust manifold. This causes the catalytic converter to overheat critically and can cause it to melt in minutes. It is necessary to immediately drop the gas and reduce the engine speed.
Stabilization and security systems
Modern cars are equipped with a variety of electronic assistants, the condition of which is also reported by the signs on the panel. Indicator ESP, DSC or VSC (depending on the brand of the car) can behave differently. The brief flashing of this icon during the movement indicates that the stabilization system is now interfering with the control, braking individual wheels to prevent skidding. It's a normal working situation.
If the lamp of the stability system burns constantly, this indicates its disconnection by the driver or malfunction. In this case, the car remains controlled, but loses an important safety mechanism, especially useful in the rain or snow. Often, along with this indicator, the triangle symbol with an exclamation point lights up, dubbing a general warning.
The indicator of airbags deserves special attention (SRS or Airbag). If the engine does not go out at start, then the passive safety system is defective. In the event of an accident, the pillows may not open or, worse, open spontaneously. Self-repair of this system is prohibited due to the risk of explosion of the pyropatron.
| Symbol | System system | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car with tracks | ESP / DSC | Migayette | Slow down, the system is working. |
| Car with tracks | ESP / DSC | horite | System is disabled or malfunctioning |
| The man with the pillow | SRS (Airbag) | horite | Pill failure, need service |
| Keyhole | Immobilizer | Migayette | Normal security work |
If the ESP light caught fire after washing the car under high pressure, it is possible that water got into the sensor connectors. Let the car dry in a warm garage and the error may disappear.
Wheel and brake condition indicators
Control of the state of the chassis is carried out using specialized sensors. The symbol depicting the cross-section of the tire with an exclamation mark inside refers to the system. TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) The lighting of this lamp means that the pressure in one or more tires has dropped below the permissible threshold (usually by 20-25%).
Riding on flat wheels not only increases fuel consumption and rubber wear, but also drastically reduces the stability of the car on the road, especially in corners. It is necessary to check the pressure with a pressure gauge and pump the wheels to the values indicated on the door rack or gas tank hatch. If the pressure is normal, the sensor inside the wheel may be faulty.
It is also worth mentioning the indicator of wear of brake pads. It often looks like a circle in brackets with a dotted side. When the friction layer of the pad thins to a critical value, the chain closes and the warning lights up on the panel. This means that the replacement of brake pads must be made in the near future, before the brake discs are damaged.
☑️ Checking at tyre pressure sensor
Lighting and electrical equipment
The instrument panel also monitors the operation of external lighting. A green lamp in the form of arrows indicates the operation of direction indicators. The blue badge of the headlight with direct beams signals the high beam on, which must be switched to the near when driving on the opposite road, so as not to blind other drivers.
A yellow headlamp indicator with downward and left beams usually indicates a failure of the passing beam or dimensions. In some cars with xenon or LED optics, the same symbol may indicate an error in the ignition unit. Driving with non-working lights in the dark is prohibited by traffic rules and is life-threatening.
Separately, it is worth noting the indicator of rear fog lamps, which is often confused with the front. It has an orange or yellow color, the rays are directed horizontally and crossed out by a wavy line. It is important not to confuse it with front fog lights (green, down rays), as bright "back fogs" can blind drivers behind cars in good weather.
- 🔦 Blue light. - the high beam is on.
- 💡 Green lights - passing light or dimensions.
- 🌫️ Orange headlight with wave - Rear fog lights are on.
- ⚡ Spiral light bulb One of the external lamps burned out.
Specific designations for diesel and hybrid cars
Owners of diesel cars are well familiar with the symbol of spiral wire. This is the indicator of the heating of incandescent candles. In the cold season, it lights up when the ignition is turned on, and the engine should start only after it is quenched. If this symbol lights up while driving, it indicates a malfunction of the preheating system or a problem with the particulate filter (see below).DPF).
Hybrid and electric cars have their own unique designations. For example, the turtle symbol often indicates a power limit mode ("Power Limit") when the battery is discharged or overheated and the car cannot reach full speed. Also there are indicators of readiness of high-voltage system (Ready) and state of charging of traction battery.
⚠️ Attention: The particulate filter indicator (DPF) in the form of a rectangle with points inside requires special attention. If it caught fire, it is often required to carry out a regeneration procedure, having traveled several kilometers at high engine speeds along the track.
Understanding these specific signs allows owners of modern cars to effectively manage the resource of expensive nodes. Ignoring environmental and exhaust signals can cause the car to go into emergency mode, limiting the speed of movement to 20-40 km / h.
Specific indicators of diesel and electric systems require studying the instructions for your model, as their logic can differ significantly from the usual gasoline cars.
What to do if an indicator that is not in the instructions is lit?
If an unfamiliar symbol appears on the panel, first make sure it is not a service icon (for example, a TO reminder). Try to find the icon image on the Internet by requesting "car brand + icon on the panel". If the information is not found, it is better to be safe and contact the dealer, as this can be a specific error of a particular model.
Can you reset errors just by removing the battery terminal?
Removing the terminal may extinguish the light bulb for a while, but if the physical malfunction is not fixed, the electronics will again detect the error after several cycles of engine operation and light the indicator again. In addition, power resets can result in loss of tape recorder settings, gearbox adaptations, and throttle training.
Is it true that the yellow indicator can be ignored?
You can’t ignore it, but you shouldn’t panic either. Yellow gives you time to get to the garage or service. However, a long ride with a burning Check Engine or ABS sensor can lead to the fact that secondary breakdown will cost much more than the primary one.
Why do the indicators light up in rainy weather?
Increased humidity can cause short-term circuits in contact groups or oxidized sensor connectors. If the indicators go out after the car drys out, most likely, the problem lies in the violation of the tightness of the wiring or corroded contacts.