What every engine warning light means
A guide to the dashboard warning lights you should never ignore — and the ones you can drive with for a few miles.
Your dashboard has dozens of warning lights. Most can be ignored for a few miles. A few mean stop-now-or-pay-thousands. Here’s the working guide.
Red lights — stop the car
- Engine oil pressure (oil can icon) — pull over immediately. Engine will seize within minutes of low pressure.
- Engine temperature (thermometer / coolant) — pull over. Driving on overheats can crack the head.
- Brake warning (BRAKE / red exclamation in circle) — sometimes hand-brake on; sometimes brake fluid low or hydraulic failure. Stop and check.
- Battery / charging (battery icon) — alternator failed; the car is running on battery alone and will stop in 15–30 minutes. Drive directly to a garage.
Amber lights — drive carefully, book soon
- Engine warning / check engine (engine icon) — could be a sensor, a misfire, an EGR fault. Read the codes (diagnostics — €60). Drive normally meanwhile, but don’t ignore it.
- DPF (engine block with dots) — your diesel needs a regen. Drive at motorway speed for 30 minutes; if light persists, book a DPF clean.
- EPC / Electronic Throttle (yellow EPC) — usually a throttle body or pedal sensor. Drive carefully; don’t floor it.
- AdBlue low (specific to diesels) — top up within the displayed range or the car will refuse to start.
- TPMS / tyre pressure — check the pressures. If a tyre is slowly losing air, it’s a slow puncture.
- ABS — anti-lock braking system has a fault. Brakes still work but ABS won’t kick in. Book.
What we do at V.T. Motors
Bring the car in. We connect a diagnostic scan tool — multi-brand OBD-II plus manufacturer-specific. We tell you what the code means, what’s likely behind it, and what it’ll cost to fix. €60 fee, waived if we do the work.
Phone 01 847 5146 — diagnostic slots usually same-day Mon–Wed.