Warning Lights: 4 Important Lights to Address Immediately
Warning Lights: 4 Important Lights to Address Immediately
Posted on February 22, 2023
It’s important to take all warnings lights seriously when they appear – even if your vehicle appears to be operating normally – especially if a light starts to flash. Neglecting any lights can compromise your safety and can cause major problems which effect the life of your vehicle. Below are four (4) important warning lights that may show up and should not be ignored.
1. Check Engine Light
This indicates that there is a problem with your vehicle’s engine. This light can appear for a few different reasons: A Loose Gas Cap, Emissions Issues, Bad Oxygen Sensor, Etc.
When this light appears as solid yellow-orange light, you can still drive your vehicle however you should still get it checked out as soon as possible as driving for a prolonged amount of time is not safe. If this light turns red and begins to flash, pull over immediately and have your vehicle towed as it is not safe to drive due a major failure within your engine.
2. Temperature Light
This light refers to your vehicle’s thermostat which regulates the heat of your engine. If this light appears, it most likely means that your engine is overheating. This can be caused by a few different issues such as a coolant or oil leak.
When this light appears, pull over and turn your vehicle to allow for your engine to cool down. Leaving your vehicle running with this light on can cause serious damage to your engine. Have this looked at as soon as possible, especially if your vehicle is continuously overheating.
3. Oil Light
This light refers to your oil pressure. As you drive, your vehicle circulates oil to all moving parts within your engine. If this light appears, it means that your oil pressure is low. This can be caused because your oil level is low due to an oil leak, or the pump not circulating oil efficiently due to a faulty sensor, or other issues.
Maintaining proper oil pressure is crucial. If this light appears, pull over and call a tow as driving with this light on, and therefore improper oil pressure, will ruin your engine.
4. Brake Light
This light refers to your brake system. This light can appear for a few different reasons such as: low or leaking brake fluid, or an electronic issue with brake system.
Brakes are one of the most vital components on your vehicle for safety. If this light appears, there is a serious issue and should be address quickly to ensure you and your family are safe on the road.
The four lights described above are not necessarily the most important these lights are just the ones you don’t want to ignore or hold off until your next oil change. Addressing any warning light promptly should always be a priority as it can save you time, money, and headaches in the long run. Maintaining regular oil changes and multi-point inspections is the best way to avoid any warning lights.
At Myers Kemptville Chev Buick GMC, our factory training technicians are always here to help. Whether it’s preventative maintenance or addressing any warning lights, give us a call at 613-258-3403 or schedule a drop off online here.