What Does That Warning Light Mean?

Your vehicle will let them know something isn’t right. No matter if it’s an improperly closed door or a warning light on your dash, your vehicle will alert you. Whenever a warning light comes on, you may want to consider visiting a mechanic. If you’re looking for a service center near Carolina Forest, SC, then schedule an appointment with Sparks Toyota, where you can depend on us to find a solution to your warning light. Let’s break down the common warning lights that you may encounter and what they mean.

Oil Pressure Warning Light

This warning light is usually a red oil can complete with oil dripping from the spout. This could be a simple fix of topping off your oil, or it may be something more serious that needs immediate attention. So, before you panic, check your oil dipstick. If the dipstick shows low oil and adding oil turns the light off, then you’re good to go. However, if adding oil doesn’t make the light go away you should schedule an appointment with our service center. If you drive without oil in your car, you risk damaging the engine, which could result in even more extensive repairs.

Tire Pressure Warning Light

The tire pressure light looks like two-thirds of a circle with an exclamation point in the middle, and the bottom of the circle is flat, resembling the tread of your vehicle tire. Some modern vehicles will display the pressure of the tires in the infotainment system or in the gauges. This is usually an easy fix, you can refill the air pressure yourself and if the light goes away, then you corrected the problem. If the light stays, then it could be a more severe problem that causes a leak.

Traction Control, Stability Control

This light is not saying your driving down a curvy road, but that’s absolutely what it looks like. This light is actually depicting what you're trying to avoid, which is slipping and sliding. This light is typically activated when the road conditions are poor; however, if the roads are dry and the light comes on, then there may be a flaw in the system. Bring your vehicle to be checked out by experienced staff, and we’ll perform a thorough inspection.

Check Engine Light

The dreaded check engine light, is typically yellow and looks like an engine, or in some vehicles, it could say “CHECK ENGINE”. This is potentially the scariest light to pop up on your dash and is also one of the hardest to diagnose. It could be anything from a simple loose wire to a major issue within the engine. If this light appears on your dash you should immediately bring it to our service center.

Battery Warning Light

This light is commonly seen as a red rectangle with a plus and minus sign in the center. The battery warning light is seen typically when you are attempted to start your vehicle with a flat battery. Check your battery for any loose wires or corrosion on the nodes. If you find corrosion, remove the battery and clean it. If that doesn’t work, bring it to our mechanics for a closer look. However, if you start your vehicle like normal and the light appears there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

Sparks Toyota Service Center

Warning lights that appear on your dash should not be ignored, and while some of them make you feel uneasy, they are just helping you understand an issue. Schedule your next service appointment with us at Sparks Toyota near Carolina Forest, SC.