Car Dashboard Lights You Shouldn't Ignore

These lights warn you about serious mechanical problems.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Jan 27, 2025 | 3 min read

Manuel Carrillo III | Capital One

There are some dashboard warning lights meant to indicate a problem so serious that you should pull over as soon as it is safe and turn off the vehicle. Heeding the warning lights may help you avoid a dangerous situation or a potentially expensive repair.

Here's an overview of which car dashboard lights you should never ignore and which lights you may be able to deal with later.

Manuel Carrillo III

Stop Driving If You See an Oil-Pressure Light

The oil-pressure warning light is set to come on when either the engine's oil pressure or oil level has fallen below a safe level. Both of these situations can lead to serious damage to a vehicle's engine, so seeing the oil light on the dashboard generally means it's time to pull over, park, turn off the engine, and call a tow truck immediately.

A coolant-temperature light (sometimes paired with a temperature gauge) is just as important. This light illuminates to tell you that the engine's coolant temperature has risen higher than is safe, which can lead to damage.

If you see this light, it's best to pull over, turn off the ignition, and wait for the engine to cool before assessing the situation. It can be dangerous to lift the hood while everything is still hot. In this case, too, a tow may be necessary.

Manuel Carrillo III

Understanding Your Check-Engine Light

There are some lights that should be taken seriously but don't necessarily signal an impending catastrophe.

Your check-engine light, also referred to as the malfunction indicator lamp, appears when the onboard diagnostic system has logged a problem with one of the vehicle's systems. The issue might be a small one, but it could be a major problem.

When you see the check-engine light, you can scan the code yourself using an onboard diagnostic (OBD) scanner or visit your mechanic so they can diagnose what's going on.

Generally speaking, if your vehicle is free of any other warning lights or symptoms, you should be okay to drive home. Don't delay in making an appointment to diagnose the issue, however.

If the ABS light comes up on your dashboard, that means there's a problem with your car's anti-lock braking system. The issue could be a few different things, such as a wheel-speed sensor, the system's computer controller, low brake fluid, or a blown fuse.

In some cases, the problem might even be the result of low tire pressure causing one wheel to rotate faster than another, confusing the system.

Manuel Carrillo III

You May Be Able to Handle These Car Warning Lights Yourself

The battery light on your dashboard indicates that the vehicle's charging system is operating outside its normal range. This can be due to a battery that won't hold a charge, a dying alternator, or a problem with the connections between those components, such as loose or corroded cables.

If the wiring looks good and tightening the cable clamps doesn't help, it might be time to get your battery tested — automotive supplier AutoZone, for example, will perform such tests. Should the battery still be healthy, however, a visit to your mechanic to have your electrical system diagnosed is likely a good idea.

A tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light usually indicates that you have low air pressure in one or more wheels. On many modern cars, these lights are accompanied by a readout of the air pressure at each corner.

If the light TPMS light comes on, fill your tires to the pressure recommended in your owner's manual. If, however, all tire pressures are within operating range, the TPMS light could indicate a problem with one of the system's in-wheel sensors, in which case you should take the vehicle to a repair shop.

Benjamin Hunting

Nearly two decades into his career as an automotive journalist, Benjamin has had his hands greasy, his hair blown back, and his heart broken by more than one project car. In addition to his work at Capital One, he has contributed features and reviews to Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Hagerty, Driving Line, Inside Hook, Super Street, European Car, Roadkill Magazine, Motor 1, The Drive, the Toronto Star, the National Post, Business Insider, NAPA, Autoblog, Automotive News Canada, and AutoGuide. He is also cohost of the Unnamed Automotive Podcast and cocreator of the Code 45 and Dead Air graphic novels. In his spare time, he's a friend to vinyl and enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days.