What do car dashboard lights, symbols and colours mean? 

Monday 24th February 2025

Are you looking for tips as a new driver, maybe you’ve noticed a different colour light you don’t recognise, or just need a refresher on your car’s dashboard symbols? We’ll explain what each symbol means, the colour references, and actions you should take if they light up when you’re not expecting them to. 

Here’s a quick run-down of the article if you’re in a rush to find out:

• importance of knowing what they mean 

• colour significance and image chart 
• dashboard light symbols and actions 

Why should I know what my dashboard symbols mean? 

It’s a legal requirement for you to know, understand and respond to gauges, indicators and warning lights in your vehicle, as GOV.uk states.

All warning lights will appear when you turn your engine on. You shouldn’t worry as this is just a routine check to show they’re all functioning. The only lights that should stay lit are the ones activated, such as your main beam indicator if it’s on. Alternatively, if the lights remain on, there’s an issue. And if they flash, it’s critical. 

By recognising what each light indication means, you can prevent distress, damage and potential harm to you or your car.  

Car dashboard lights colour chart  

Red Dashboard Symbols 

Brake System Warning Light 

You’ll see this light when you’re stationary and the ignition is on, which means the handbrake or parking brake has been applied. If you’re driving and see this light, check your parking brake isn’t still on. If your handbrake is off, this indicates an issue with your brake system, such as low brake fluid, faulty brake pads, or the hydraulic brake circuits have failed. 

Action: Driving with this light on is dangerous so you should get it checked immediately. Don’t drive your car and call a roadside mechanic. Your vehicle may need to be towed. To prevent issues with your brakes, book a free brake check at your local Formula One Autocentres branch.  

Engine Temperature Warning Light 

The meaning of the Engine Temperature light depends on the colour it lights up. It can either be red, amber or blue, and respectively indicates if the engine is overheating, the coolant levels are too low, or the engine coolant is too cold 

Red - Your engine could be overheating, or the coolant level is below minimum. 

Action: Your car may be driveable, but you should allow half an hour for the engine to cool before you continue driving. If not, you risk causing expensive damage to your car and causing harm to you and your passengers by exposing your car to extremely high temperatures. If the light persists, take your car to your local mechanic.

Amber - This refers to a low coolant level. 

Action: Stop the car when it’s safe to and check your coolant level when the engine has cooled down. Top it up as appropriate. 

Blue - Your car’s antifreeze is too cold. This means the radiator can’t function properly and can freeze your engine. 

Action: The blue light will often show up during colder weather but should disappear when the engine has warmed up. If the symbol remains lit, it could indicate a deeper coolant issue like a leak. Avoid driving if the blue light persists. 

Engine Oil Warning Light 

This light indicates the engine oil pressure or oil level is low, or your vehicle’s oil temperature is too high. If this appears when your engine is running or while you’re driving, this means there’s a malfunction. 

Action: Find a safe spot to stop and turn your engine off. If you’ve checked your oil levels once the engine’s cooled and the levels are correct, don’t continue driving and call your mechanic. 

Power Steering Warning Light 

The Power Steering warning light can appear as red or amber depending on your car’s make and model. This symbol represents a possible lack of power steering fluid, power steering pump failure, a leak in the power steering system, or a faulty power steering belt. It could also signify electrical faults or software issues.

Action: Your car could become difficult to steer which presents a significant safety risk. Pull over and turn the engine off, then wait for the engine to cool. Assess if the power steering fluid container level is above the minimum. If the light persists, visit your local Formula One Autocentres garage.  

Door Ajar Warning Light  

This light indicates if your car’s boot, bonnet or doors are open. 

Action: If driving, pull over as soon as you can safely do so and make sure the relevant part is closed. 

Supplemental Restraint System Warning Light 

If you notice this symbol appear, it refers to the system which links airbags and seatbelts. The symbol’s colour can be red or orange depending on your car’s make and model. Even one slight fault in this safety system can cause it to light up. Both are life-saving features so you should not ignore it when it appears.

Action: You should not drive your vehicle and must get this system checked as soon as possible. Seatbelts and airbags are two of the most effective means of reducing the risk of injury in a collision. It’s extremely dangerous to you and your passengers to neglect this warning. 

Safety Belt Minder Warning Light 

This light will illuminate if you start the engine and someone is not wearing a seatbelt. A chime will repeat in the car’s cabin until they have fastened the belt correctly. The driver is responsible for checking each passenger’s seatbelt is appropriately fastened. 

Action: Do not drive until all relevant seatbelts are secured. If you have an issue with clipping your seatbelt in, you could fail your MOT. 

Ignition/Battery Warning Light 

This light suggests there’s a malfunction with your battery. It could indicate your battery is not charging, there’s a fault, or it’s an issue with your car’s electrical system, like a faulty alternator. The battery warning light is also more likely to appear when the temperature drops. 

Action: Do not drive if this warning light is on, as it could result in sudden power failure and cause you to break down. Get this checked by a mechanic as soon as you can, or if possible, try and jump-start it before taking it to your local garage. 

Amber, Orange and Yellow Dashboard Symbols 

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) 

This means you have a malfunction with the anti-lock braking system. It’s often activated by low brake fluid, faulty wheel speed sensors, or a faulty ABS fuse.

Action: It’s safe to drive while the ABS light is on, but if the brake warning light also shows, it indicates a serious fault with your car’s braking system. Immediately stop in a safe place and call a mechanic if both simultaneously show. Otherwise, if only the ABS light appears, book a free brake check to identify the issue that’s causing the light to show. 

Engine Management Light 

Also known as the Engine Control Unit (ECU), this signifies you need to check your engine. It’s often the most dreaded light, but it could mean something as minor as a loose wire or broken sensors. However, it can also indicate a major underlying issue with other parts of your car, such as the catalytic converter or emission control system. 

Action: It’s safe to drive if it’s lit and there’s no power loss but you should get it checked as soon as possible. If you’re driving and it starts to flash, avoid picking up your speed and drive steadily. Stop your car when it’s safe to do so and call your mechanic.

Brake Pad Warning Light 

When this symbol shows up, it means a sensor has detected your brake pads are worn. 

Action: Contact your local Formula One Autocentres branch for a free brake check and get replacements as soon as you can. This light usually only comes on when your brake pads are extremely thin, so take extra care when driving. 

Low Fuel Level Warning Light 

This light warns you that you have low fuel and to refuel as soon as possible. It usually appears when you have roughly 50-100 miles left in the tank, however, it’s best not to assume and fill up when it first appears. 

Action: Find your nearest fuel station and refuel as soon as possible.

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Warning Light 

If you have a diesel vehicle, this symbol signals a problem with the exhaust particulate filter. The filter could be blocked with soot which could damage your car and release black fumes whenever you accelerate, increasing the toxicity in the air. 

Action: Take your car to your local garage. Our exhaust technicians can assess the filter through a free exhaust check.  

Frost Warning Light 

When the outside temperature is below 4ºC, this light will show. Your car has detected weather conditions which could make the roads slippery and dangerous. 

Action: Drive cautiously, slow down and stay aware on the roads. 

Glow Plug Indicator 

You may only see this if you have a diesel car. This symbol indicates the glow plugs are heating up to start the engine quickly and efficiently. If it starts to flash, there could be an issue with your glow plugs, the timer or the engine. Leaving it unchecked for a prolonged time can result in engine problems. 

Action: Wait until this light goes off before starting your car as it needs to complete a heating cycle. If it flashes, it’s best to get it checked out by your local Formula One Autocentres mechanic. 

Rear Fog Lights Indicator 

This symbol will light up if you have your rear fog lights on. 

Action: The Highway Code states you should turn your fog lights off when visibility improves. Rear fog lights can obscure brake lights.  

Stability Control Indicator 

Also known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). When this light is on, it means the ESC system is malfunctioning. This could be down to issues with sensors, tyres, brakes, the battery or the computer system which controls the ESC. If the same symbol shows with ‘OFF’ underneath, this shows you’ve switched off the stability control.

Action: Driving while this symbol is lit may increase the risks of an accident, especially in challenging driving conditions. Get this checked as soon as possible to rectify any potential issues and avoid system failure and potential accidents. 

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System 

You’ll see this light if one or more of your tyres are significantly under-inflated. 

Action: Stop your car when it’s safe and wait for the tyres to cool down. Once cool, check your tyre pressure and inflate them. If issues still persist, you may need to replace your tyres. Not sure what type you need? Read our guide on buying tyres.

Green, Blue and White Dashboard Symbols 

Cruise Control Indicator 

A green indication signifies information only. This shows when cruise control is activated. If it’s amber, cruise control may be enabled but not set. 

Direction Indicators and Hazards 

When you indicate left or right, or press your hazard light button, these arrows will flash when activated. Check for a burnt-out bulb if it stays on or flashes faster than normal.

Front Fog Lights Indicator 

This illuminates when the front fog lights are on. Although cars have automatic headlights, fog lights must be manually turned on and off. Remember to turn these off when they’re not needed, as your front fog lights may dazzle drivers ahead. 

Headlamp Indicator 

This symbol will appear when you have your dipped beam headlights or the side and tail lights on. 

Main Beam Indicator 

When you switch your main beam headlights on, you’ll see this blue symbol. It will flash when you use the headlight flasher.

Gear Shift Indicator 

This will show as either an up or down arrow and inform you if a higher or lower gear may provide better performance. Operating in an appropriate gear helps reduce fuel consumption and reduce CO2 emissions. It won’t light up during high acceleration, braking or if the clutch is pressed down.

Start-Stop Indicator 

When the engine has automatically stopped, this symbol will light up green. When it flashes, it indicates you need to restart the engine. It will illuminate white with a strikethrough when the system isn’t available. 

How can Formula One Autocentres help?  

If any red dashboard symbols appear or amber symbols persist, book in for a diagnostic test to ensure your vehicle is operating safely and performing as it should. Still have questions about dashboard warning lights? Speak with an experienced technician from your local Formula One Autocentres branch.