Dashboard warning lights
What each warning light on the dashboard means, why it comes on, what to do and whether you can keep driving. Red means stop safely, amber means have it checked soon.
Red lights
A serious fault or a safety risk: stop as soon as it is safe and check before driving on.
- Flashing check engine light
- Low oil pressure
- High coolant temperature
- Battery / charging system
- Catalytic converter overheating
- Brake system warning
- Parking brake applied
- Low brake fluid
- Airbag / SRS warning
- Seat belt reminder
- Power steering fault
- Transmission overheating
- Immobiliser / security
- Key not detected
- Door open
- Bonnet (hood) open
- Boot (trunk) open
- Forward collision warning
- Hybrid system warning
- Traction battery fault
- Exhaust fluid empty (no restart)
Amber and yellow lights
A fault or a system that needs attention: you can usually drive on, but have it checked soon.
- Check engine (malfunction indicator)
- Low oil level
- Low coolant level
- Electronic power control (EPC)
- Reduced engine power
- Glow plug (diesel preheat)
- Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
- AdBlue / diesel exhaust fluid (DEF)
- Water in fuel
- Fuel filter
- Low fuel
- Electric parking brake fault
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
- Brake pad wear
- Stability control (ESC/ESP) active or fault
- Stability control switched off
- Traction control
- Low tyre pressure (TPMS)
- Tyre pressure monitoring system fault
- Passenger airbag off
- Steering lock
- Transmission fault
- Clutch overheating
- All-wheel drive fault
- Differential lock
- Suspension fault
- Key fob battery low
- Low washer fluid
- Frost / ice warning
- Service due
- Oil change due
- Exterior bulb failure
- Adaptive headlight fault
- Rear fog light on
- Lane departure warning / lane assist
- Blind spot monitor
- Parking sensor fault
- Driver assistance system unavailable
- Driver attention / take a break
- Auto start-stop unavailable
- Low traction battery
- Charging cable connected
- Electric power limited (turtle)
- Pedestrian warning sound fault
- Overdrive off
- Turbocharger fault
- Heated windscreen on
- Rear window heater on
- Seat heating on
- Convertible roof fault
- Fuel cap / fuel door open
Green indicators
A system is switched on and working. No fault.
- Hill descent control
- Four-wheel drive engaged
- Dipped beam (low beam) on
- Side lights / parking lights on
- Front fog lights on
- Turn signals / hazard lights
- Automatic high beam
- Cruise control
- Adaptive cruise control
- Speed limiter
- Auto start-stop
- Eco mode
- Ready to drive (EV/hybrid)
- Trailer connected
- Gear shift indicator
- Press clutch to start
- Press brake to start
Blue indicators
A system is switched on, such as the high beams. No fault.