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WARNING LIGHTS ON the instrument cluster are there to tell you information about how your car is performing and if certain systems need attention.
Many of the lights illuminate when the engine is turned on and go out after a second or two. But sometimes lights will stay on to indicate an issue.
Some of these icons are easy to read and fix, like adding water to the screen wash tank but some are a little more difficult to interpret. Here are some of the most common warning lights and what they actually mean… and we’re also showing you an easy-to-use tool to troubleshoot any warning lights that may be on in your vehicle.
AIRBAG WARNING
There may be an issue with one or more of your car’s airbags. A faulty airbag may not deploy if there is a crash or it may suddenly go off when you least expect it. Best get this checked out by a mechanic.
BATTERY CHARGE WARNING
This icon is usually one of the ones that lights up when you first turn your car on. However, if it doesn’t go off, or turns on again while driving, there could be an issue with the car’s electrical system – for example a faulty battery or alternator (the thing that charges the battery).
If the alternator isn’t working, then the car’s battery is not being charged and the vehicle will come to a stop at some stage. This is another one you should get looked at ASAP.
BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING
The warning light could mean the brake fluid level is low, that the brake pads should be replaced or that the anti-lock braking system is faulty. Either way, you need to get this checked out right away. Properly functioning brakes are a must for everyone’s safety on the road.
ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU) WARNING
This light could simply mean a sensor failure – but if it accompanies a lack of power in your car, most likely there is a fault with the engine or engine control unit.
It is best to get this checked by a trained mechanic as soon as possible before any costly and long-term damage to the engine occurs.
ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING
This light could simply mean that the coolant level is low and you need to top it up.
However, if this light comes on and you notice the temperature gauge is in the red zone it means the engine is overheating and it needs to cool down.
Pull over ASAP and turn off the engine to allow it to cool down. An overheating engine is a sign that there is something wrong, so even if it does cool down it is probably best to get it checked out to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
OIL PRESSURE WARNING
As much as this symbol looks like you are going to be granted three wishes, it simply means that there is an issue with the oil – for example high temperature, low oil level or low pressure.
Oil is like the blood flow to the engine – it keeps it running smoothly and prevents damage – so it is vital you check this out. The first step is to check the level yourself and top up if necessary. But if there is the correct amount of oil and this light is still on then you need to get it looked at.
POWER STEERING WARNING
This light indicates that there is an issue with the electric power-assisted steering (EPS/EPAS) system. If you notice that the steering becomes heavy, the EPAS may have failed.
This is quite noticeable at lower speeds, but at higher speeds you may not feel it until you need to change lanes or turn off – and this can be very dangerous. So if this light comes on, slow down, check the steering and try get to a garage quick.
TYRE PRESSURE WARNING
Most modern cars now have this handy feature which detects any abnormalities in tyre pressure – ie a possible puncture. If this light pops up, pull over into a garage and check the tyres for damage.
Then check their pressure and inflate them to the correct reading as indicated on the inside of the door or the car’s manual.
What can you do if there’s one light that KEEPS turning on without an obvious problem?
Do you have a particular light that keeps illuminating in your car? Want to know what is causing it and if you can fix it yourself? Well this gadget, the ScanGauge II, may be the solution.
What is it?
It is a an on-board diagnostics (OBD) tool and it plugs into the diagnostic connection under the dash. It is compatible with all OBDII protocols and with petrol cars from 2001 onwards, diesel cars from 2004 onwards and light commercial vehicles from 2007 onwards.
What does it do?
The ScanGauge II checks for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and displays how many there are as well as the codes themselves. It monitors the vehicle’s vital systems and provides real-time information – and it shows both set and pending trouble codes to show you what is going on under the bonnet.
It also has five built-in trip computers, which keep track of fuel cost, distance travelled, MPG, fuel used, max coolant temp, max rpm and a whole lot more.
Why would I want one?
Armed with the codes you can then use your car’s manual (or Google) to work out what they mean and what needs to be done. You may feel confident enough to fix the problem yourself, which will save you not only time but money too.
(As always though, best practice is to bring your car to a trusted mechanic to get it checked out.)
It also means that if you do decide to take the car to a mechanic, you have a bit more information about the issue so you can accurately describe the problem. You can also search online for how much it will cost to fix the problem so that you know what to expect to be billed by the garage.
You can buy it on Amazon for around €166 including delivery.
The public are against multinational commercial wind farms where the energy is sold to us, not wind energy itself.
Cooperatives like cloughjordan are an example of how beneficial and sustainable these community wind farms are
Nice soundbites, pity you don’t care about policy or facts. Millions will die from global warming but you’d rather stick to your narrow ideology than embrace change.
You mentioned the public are cautious of multinationals selling electricity to us from wind farms. Did you know ESBI is a multinational and owns quite a few wind farms outside of Ireland?? AND, who do you think really owns ESBI??
When the weather turns really bad and the price of electricity goes through the roof, they’ll be begging for the turbine to be erected.
We need change there is no doubt about that but wind turbines are not the way forward.
So what would you propose should be the way forward?? Let us all understand one thing. At this point any renewable energy is an alternative energy, not a primary energy. And please please don’t start with Nuclear energy is the way to go. That’s crap
That’s real internet hard talk David. Community participation is standard in the more civilised energy economies in Europe.
Any chance we could think outside the box for our energy in the future???? What’s the obsession with wind when we have other alternatives, looking more like cartels want to keep renewables to themselves instead of promoting this….. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=839925169365885&id=728257720532631&post_id=728257720532631_839925169365885#
Stanley. There are plenty of renewable energy sources that are miles ahead of wind. Wave energy being one. There are two irish companies pioneering ocean based renewable technology which far exceeded expectatioms and is far ahead of wind aswell. They had to go to scandinavia to test it because the irish government wouldn’t give them permission to test in irish waters. Osmosis is another one which is far ahead of wind energy.
Oh and btw nuclear is a much more efficient option than wind energy.
Eamon Ryan refused to do the legally binding SEA and CBA for windfarms. He is ignorant of engineering and while he may have good intentions at heart his policies have brought disaster to Ireland.
It’s a pity they didn’t cut their prices two !
Yes, it is a pity they didn’t cut their prices in two.
We are subsidising these wind turbines in a PEAK OIL market – despite all the waffle of the past decade… we need renewables because peak oil will put the price of energy beyond reach… to cloak the huge gap between the price of turbine energy and fossil fuels, they applied a carbon tax.
Remove the carbon tax and you would hardly notice the $100 barrel price.
I’d say Eamon Ryan is a wow at parties
He’s a great cure for insomnia!
If they could cut the ESB bills, like the Co2 emissions we be happy!
Eamons dream is a nightmare for the ordinary Joe soap. Cut carbon emission by what…with led technology and cfc bulbs coupled with A rated appliances most house holds have reduced their energy consumption. Wind farm did not reduce the carbon bill on its owen and that’s what’s wrong with Eamon he only sees the top level and always did. What anoys most is reduced energy consumption by the individual and carbon material intake equals an ever increasing energy bill. Why.
Every house hold has to stump up how much for this crap?
Is that why my PSO is going up again
PSO is 2 thirds gas and Peat, 1 third wind.
Wind is Ireland’s second cheapest electricity generation technology (after hydro).
59% of PSO due to wind
Hi, I think it is 28% for next year.
94m out of 335m.
Alan M.
If that much has been saved, where is the reduction in the pso levy or electricity tax????
“serious about transitioning to 100% decarbonised energy in Ireland.”
This statement proves Eamon Ryan does not know anything about energy systems. Its no wonder we are we are now.
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