Car Warning
Lights: Myths and Facts
Today’s
vehicles are equipped with an array of warning lights. Of
course we’re all familiar will the seat belt warning chime and the
door ajar indicator. However, with the automotive industry’s
technological advancements there are a number of warning lights that
can be quite alarming.
Auto repair prices are astronomical and few repairs to these systems
are cheap!
For
example, here are a few questions asked recently looking for car repair help…
- My
1993 Ford Aerostar Check Oil Light is on—what’s
wrong?
- What
is the Low Tire Pressure Warning Light reset procedure
- Help,
my Blazer ABS Light does not shift—what do I do?
- My
2001 Volvo S60 Check Emissions Warning Light is on—can I
drive it?
- My
Service Airbag Warning Light Chevy Avalanche is on—why?
Common Auto Repair Questions &
Answers
Following
is a helpful Question and Answer Guide on some of
the more common Warning Light concerns. Note:
due to the frequency of the Check Engine
Warning Light,
it has a section all its own.
SRS Light (Supplemental Restraint System): the supplemental
restraint system is your airbag system. It may incorporate a
variety of active, passive, and even pre-safe technology depending on
the vehicle. Given that the SRS system is a safety system, it
is well monitored with numerous sensors and automatic
self-tests. The slightest malfunction in this system
illuminates the SRS light.
Can
the vehicle be driven with an SRS Light on? Yes, at
the owner’s risk. There are thousands of vehicles
on the road without SRS technology.
Is
the airbag going to blow up? It’s
unlikely. When the SRS Light is on the system is
inoperative. If you’re nervous—tow it!
ABS
Lights: Illumination of the Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light is another common occurrence in today’s
vehicles. Simply put, the ABS system helps to keep you from
skidding out of control during braking by limiting your wheels from
locking up/skidding.
Note: the ABS system is often integrated
with traction control and stability systems, all of which are designed
to keep you safe during panic stops, wheel slippage, and handling.
Do
I need brakes? You might, but that’s not
why the ABS Light is on. The ABS Warning System does not
monitor disc brake pad or disc brake rotor wear (see the Padlight
Warning section below)
Can
the vehicle be driven? Like the SRS system, the
vehicle can be driven at the owner’s risk as there are many
vehicles still on the market without the enhanced safety features of
ABS.
Why
is my ABS light on? How do I reset the ABS Light? These are very common and simple questions illustrated below by the
list below. For a QUICK and FREE
solution, follow the guidelines for Resetting
Check Engine Light.
1.
How do I clear and why is the ABS Light on in my Honda
Passport?
2.
How to clear an ABS Light on Chevrolet?
3.
How do I reset a Honda ABS Light?
4.
What is the Audi ABS Light reset procedure?
5.
My Lexus ABS Light is coming
on—why?
6.
Why is the ABS Light on in my Suburban?
Low
Coolant Light: The Low Coolant Light will come on when the
coolant drops below the coolant level sensor—generally one to
two quarts. If this light is on, there are two primary
possibilities. The most common is a coolant leak. The other is an electrical fault in the warning lamp circuit. Have them
checked out.
Can
it be driven? If there are no major leaks, the
vehicle is not overheating (and does not start to overheat), and there
is still some evidence of coolant in the overflow bottle, it can be
driven. If you can see coolant leaking on the
ground—tow it. When in doubt, always tow it!
Red
Oil Light On: Stop
driving immediately and shut the engine off! If a Red Oil Warning Light comes on PAY HEED. The best case scenario is that your engine oil is a little low, or
there is an electrical issue with the Oil Level Warning System
circuit. Either way, follow your owners’
manual’s instructions to check your oil, and then add as
recommended. Get your vehicle checked out at your earliest
convenience. The worst case scenario is internal engine
damage.
Note:
many of today’s vehicles have very sensitive and
sophisticated Oil Level Warning Systems. You may be alerted
of oil level too high, or oil level too low. Again, follow
your owners’ manual’s instructions.
Whether
it’s a 1993 Ford Aerostar Check Oil Light, or a question of
“Why does my oil light flash in my Saab,” PAY
HEED!
Red Brake Warning Lights: Generally, Red Warning Lights
mean DANGER. In the case of a Red Brake Warning Light, there
may be a hydraulic brake fluid leak. If the brake pedal feels
abnormal or spongy—don’t drive—Tow
It!
Note: make sure that your emergency
brake is not on as this will illuminate a Red Brake Warning Light.
Yellow Brake Warning Light (Padlight): This is an early warning
system for brake pad wear. Essentially, as your disc brake
pads wear down, at a certain point a sensor is tripped to alert you
that you will need brakes soon.
Can
I drive the vehicle, and for how long? Yes, you can
continue to drive. How long depends on your driving
style. In other words, city drivers (city driving is
generally harder on brakes due to the constant stop and go) will likely
need their brakes addressed before someone who does primarily highway
driving.
Will
I do more damage to the brakes? Depending on how
long you continue to drive you could conceivably wear your disc brake
pads down to the metal backing plate, which could then damage your disc
brake rotors and, in rare cases, the disc brake calipers.
However,
with many of today’s brake systems, the replacement of the
disc brake rotors along with the disc brake pads is required or
strongly recommended anyway. Calipers rarely need replacing
during regular brake work.
If
your Yellow Brake Warning Light is on, it is better to have your brakes
checked early to increase the possibility of saving
money by not having to replace the rotors.
Note:
many of
today’s brake disc pads and rotors require replacement due to
rust and corrosion versus wear; thus rotor replacement is often
necessary anyway.
BEWARE:
Brake work is easy money for service centers so they tend to be
aggressive in their suggestions. Learn what you can do to
protect yourself from these tactics inside our eBook trilogy. Click car repair costs to learn more. Or visit our unique auto repair cost estimate service that will protect you from paying too much.
Air Suspension Lights (Airmatic, Air Ride,
Hydraulic Suspensions): Suspension Warning Lights illuminate when the suspension’s
monitoring system has detected a fault. Often there is a
leak—either air or hydraulic fluid.
Can
your vehicle be driven? Sometimes.
But if the suspension is lower than usual, and/or the vehicle just
doesn’t feel right—Tow It! Extensive
damage could result if the suspension drops too low while driving.
Note:suspension repairs are best left to the best, state-of-the-art service
center you can find, preferably a dealership.
Tire Pressure Warning Light: this recent technological
development causes quite a bit of confusion. Put simply, if
your tire is getting low on air, your car lets you know via sensors
mounted in various places depending on the model.
Sometimes
the reset procedure is as simple as pressing a button. Other
times one has to set the tire pressures, recalibrate the on-board
computer, genuflect and cross two fingers. Check your
owners’ manual and see the next question…
What
is the low tire pressure warning light reset procedure? The answer to this simple question depends on the vehicle. Check your owners’ manual or call a specialist or
dealer.
Local shops and franchises (for the most part) lack
familiarity with Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems given that this is a
fairly recent technological development. Few auto repair shops even have the tools to fix these systems.
Emission Warning Light: This light is similar to the Check
Engine Light. Many European models such as Volvos have this
type of Warning System. It’s essentially letting you know
that an emissions component has failed or detected a fault. Follow the check engine light tips to address this particular warning light.
Make
sure you take it to a shop equipped to handle emissions work, and PAY
ATTENTION to how you are billed as emission work can get “unnecessarily”
very pricey.
Resetting Oil Lights
Next
to resetting check engine lights,
resetting oil lights is the most common question I receive. Whether it’s a Toyota Oil Light Reset Procedure, an Oil Change
Warning Light Reset Procedure on a 2005 GMC Envoy, or the process to reset a 1999 BMW M3 Oil
Service Light, they all require a specific course of action.
Most
owners’ manuals have this information. You should
find it under maintenance or oil service.You can also call your local mechanic, who resets oil service lights
everyday on a variety of models.
A dealership will certainly
have the information; however, finding someone in a dealership who can
translate it effectively to you may be difficult.
If
the above fails, see the process for Resetting Check
Engine Light.
Note:
several European models require special tools to reset the oil service
light, thus it’s best to call or visit a specialist or dealer.
Note:
This information is not a substitute for your vehicle’s
owners’ manual. It is meant to be a general
guide. Always refer to manufacturer vehicle-specific
guidelines.
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