What do these car dashboard lights actually mean?

What do these car dashboard lights actually mean?

Drivers are being urged to familiarise themselves with their car’s warning lights to stay safe on the road.

Car insurance comparison experts at Quotezone.co.uk have highlighted the meanings behind seven of the more unusual dashboard safety lights.

Photo credit: Pexels

Warning lights on the dashboard indicate that there is something wrong with the vehicle and they should never be ignored.

There are so many symbols on the driver control panel and while most are self-explanatory, it’s good practice for drivers to regularly remind themselves of those relating to the car’s safety features, so they won’t be caught off guard should an incident arise.

The first thing to remember about dashboard alerts is that they follow a traffic light colour system: green means that everything is working correctly, yellow indicates that there is an issue that requires attention, and red signals a serious problem that should be addressed immediately.

Not paying attention to the flashing safety lights could lead to severe consequences, as some of them can indicate serious issues such as a leak in the engine, a flat battery, low levels of brake fluid or an overheated engine.

Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk said: “Understanding your car’s dashboard warning lights helps you decode crucial messages from your vehicle’s internal systems.

“I can’t stress enough how important it is for drivers to familiarise themselves with the meanings behind different safety lights.

“These symbols are the first signs of potential mechanical failures and can save drivers from costly repairs or, more importantly, minimise the risk of dangerous situations on the road.

“For example, if you can’t recognise the brake warning light symbol and don’t do anything about it, your brakes may not work properly which compromises your safety and that of others on the road.

“Taking the time to recap regularly on the warning signals could also help protect the longevity and performance of your vehicle.”

The team at Quotezone.co.uk are highlighting seven lesser-known warning lights:

1.Tyre pressure warning

The tyre pressure warning light comes on when the air in your tyres is low and needs topping up. This means that you should check the tyre pressure as soon as possible and top up at the next opportunity. If the light doesn’t turn off or appears again soon after topping up then it might be a sign of a puncture.

2.Brake fluid warning

If a symbol appears on your dashboard that looks like an exclamation mark in a circle then this indicates that the brake fluid level is low. When you see this red warning light it’s best to pull over as soon as possible while keeping your speed low and avoiding sudden braking. If you’re not sure how to check the brake fluid levels yourself, get to a professional garage with a good reputation as soon as possible for a double check.

3.Engine management warning

An amber engine management light lets you know there might be something wrong with the engine. The light can appear because of a minor issue or it can also indicate something serious such as a fault with your emission control system. You can continue driving to your destination but should get it checked out as soon as possible to prevent further damages to the engine.

4.Engine temperature warning

Engine temperature light is also known as the coolant temperature warning light. It indicates that the coolant levels are running low which is causing the engine to overheat. If this light is red then you should stop immediately, wait for the engine to cool down and top up the coolant. Make sure to also check if there are any obvious leaks.

5.Power steering warning

The power steering, also known as an EPS warning light, appears as a steering wheel symbol with an exclamation mark next to it. It warns you that there is a fault in the power steering system and if the system fails then your car will become difficult to steer. If you have a hydraulic power steering system, you should check the steering wheel fluid and top it up as required. If you have an electronic system, the issue may be solved by turning your car on and off again. If the light stays on then get it checked out promptly.

6.Brake pad warning

The brake pad warning light comes on when the brake pads are getting too worn and should be replaced soon. You can carry on driving to your destination, but you must not ignore these warning lights. You should get the brake pads changed as soon as possible – if they get too thin it can be extremely dangerous.

7.Oil warning

The oil warning light indicates that the oil level or pressure might be too low, the oil temperature is too high or that there is an oil leak. When this light comes on then you should stop the car at the next opportunity, check the oil levels and top up if necessary. You should also check if there are any oil leaks under the car. If the light has come on even though the oil levels are fine then it can be a sign of a faulty oil pump and in this case, you should call a mechanic or roadside assistance.

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Typically thought of as being an easy to clean area of the home, hard floors have risen in popularity in recent decades. Globally, hard floors are the most common floor type,2 and research released today by Dyson has uncovered poor cleaning habits that mean hard floors are likely to be harbouring an array of hidden nasties. This comes as 32% of Brits – equating to 21.6 million people in the UK – will use the same dirty mop head for six months or more before replacing it. What’s more, one in 20 also admit to keeping the same mop for a year or longer, and one in 10 think it is acceptable to use the same mop 100 times, spreading dirt around their floors every time they use it. Cross contamination is a primary issue for most common and traditional mopping methods with germs and bacteria further being unknowingly spread around homes as Brits use dirty water to clean floors.3 45% only change the water to new water between rooms, whereas 41% wait even longer until it looks dirty. This could mean that floors are being washed with dirty water, adding more dirt rather than taking it away. Surprisingly, almost one in 10 (9%) even admit to not changing the dirty water at all when mopping. Over a quarter (28%) admit to mopping their floors once a fortnight or less while over half (53%) admit they don’t regularly clean behind appliances and leave dirt to build up for as long as six months at a time. image002.jpg On how to achieve a perfect barefoot clean feel after mopping, Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert offers their top tips for eliminating dirt around the home: 1. Create a cleaning schedule to stay on top of dirt build-up. In the last year, there has been a 15% global reduction in the number of people who maintain regular cleaning schedules. 47% of the British public admitted to only being motivated to clean when they spot visible dirt or dust.4 Regular floor cleaning with a wet hard floor cleaner like the Dyson WashG1™ removes more stubborn dirt than vacuuming alone. It is important to have a debris free surface, clear any clutter from the floor or other surfaces. Choose the right machine: Different vacuums are designed for different floor types and home sizes. Some machines will be engineered with hard floors in mind and will struggle on thick pile carpets, for example. Choosing the right machine for your home will make a big difference to the ease and speed with which you’re able to clean your home. Clean your floors ‘little and often’. Washing your floors frequently in areas that receive more foot fall will help to stop dirt building up and getting trodden into your floor. Using a dedicated wet floor cleaner on hard flooring such as the Dyson WashG1 is helpful for this, as the versatile format means it vacuums and washes the floor simultaneously. Cleaning schedules have also become less regimented. In recent years only 41% of people claim to have a regular cleaning schedule, and 60% admit to cleaning reactively; being motivated to clean only when there is visible dirt or dust5. It’s perhaps not surprising, that a fifth of people are still concerned their floors are dirty after they’ve mopped them (22%) and one in four6 feel extremely worried about indoor dust at home. Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert reveals why it is important to change the way we mop: “Cleaning your hard floors properly and regularly is important for maintaining a healthy environment around your home. Without a proper cleaning routine, dirt may unknowingly build up and spread around your home. It is evident from our research that current mopping habits mean British households aren’t cleaning their floors as effectively as they should. “From ignoring problem areas where dust and debris build up, cross contamination with dirty water to not replacing mop heads or inconsistent cleaning, current mopping behaviours may be making floors dirtier as opposed to cleaner. Moving away from traditional methods, wet floor cleaners like the Dyson WashG1 simplify the floor cleaning experience and provide a modern efficient and hygienic solution” To help take the guesswork out of mopping, the brand new WashG1 is Dyson’s first dedicated wet floor cleaner that tackles wet and dry debris in one go. Engineered for hygienic cleaning and maintenance, the WashG1 is revolutionising wet floor cleaning, removing the need for multi-products and multi-steps to achieve a barefoot clean feel around the home. To put the product to the test, Dyson have cleaned one of London’s most iconic landmarks The Victoria and Albert Museum. From cleaning the grand marble floors housing the most prestigious exhibits, to cleaning up leftover food in the Gamble Room Cafe, the WashG1 had a dirt busting tour of the museum leaving it spotless. Images can be found here. The WashG1 introduces Dyson’s engineering expertise to cleaning hard floors. With a 1 litre clean-water tank to cover flooring up to 290m2, the Dyson WashG1 uses a combination of hydration, absorption, and extraction technologies to remove wet and dry spills and stains simultaneously. The Dyson WashG1 is available to purchase now from Dyson.co.uk, retailing at £599.99.

Typically thought of as being an easy to clean area of the home, hard floors have risen in popularity in recent decades. Globally, hard floors are the most common floor type,2 and research released today by Dyson has uncovered poor cleaning habits that mean hard floors are likely to be harbouring an array of hidden nasties. This comes as 32% of Brits – equating to 21.6 million people in the UK – will use the same dirty mop head for six months or more before replacing it. What’s more, one in 20 also admit to keeping the same mop for a year or longer, and one in 10 think it is acceptable to use the same mop 100 times, spreading dirt around their floors every time they use it. Cross contamination is a primary issue for most common and traditional mopping methods with germs and bacteria further being unknowingly spread around homes as Brits use dirty water to clean floors.3 45% only change the water to new water between rooms, whereas 41% wait even longer until it looks dirty. This could mean that floors are being washed with dirty water, adding more dirt rather than taking it away. Surprisingly, almost one in 10 (9%) even admit to not changing the dirty water at all when mopping. Over a quarter (28%) admit to mopping their floors once a fortnight or less while over half (53%) admit they don’t regularly clean behind appliances and leave dirt to build up for as long as six months at a time. image002.jpg On how to achieve a perfect barefoot clean feel after mopping, Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert offers their top tips for eliminating dirt around the home: 1. Create a cleaning schedule to stay on top of dirt build-up. In the last year, there has been a 15% global reduction in the number of people who maintain regular cleaning schedules. 47% of the British public admitted to only being motivated to clean when they spot visible dirt or dust.4 Regular floor cleaning with a wet hard floor cleaner like the Dyson WashG1™ removes more stubborn dirt than vacuuming alone. It is important to have a debris free surface, clear any clutter from the floor or other surfaces. Choose the right machine: Different vacuums are designed for different floor types and home sizes. Some machines will be engineered with hard floors in mind and will struggle on thick pile carpets, for example. Choosing the right machine for your home will make a big difference to the ease and speed with which you’re able to clean your home. Clean your floors ‘little and often’. Washing your floors frequently in areas that receive more foot fall will help to stop dirt building up and getting trodden into your floor. Using a dedicated wet floor cleaner on hard flooring such as the Dyson WashG1 is helpful for this, as the versatile format means it vacuums and washes the floor simultaneously. Cleaning schedules have also become less regimented. In recent years only 41% of people claim to have a regular cleaning schedule, and 60% admit to cleaning reactively; being motivated to clean only when there is visible dirt or dust5. It’s perhaps not surprising, that a fifth of people are still concerned their floors are dirty after they’ve mopped them (22%) and one in four6 feel extremely worried about indoor dust at home. Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert reveals why it is important to change the way we mop: “Cleaning your hard floors properly and regularly is important for maintaining a healthy environment around your home. Without a proper cleaning routine, dirt may unknowingly build up and spread around your home. It is evident from our research that current mopping habits mean British households aren’t cleaning their floors as effectively as they should. “From ignoring problem areas where dust and debris build up, cross contamination with dirty water to not replacing mop heads or inconsistent cleaning, current mopping behaviours may be making floors dirtier as opposed to cleaner. Moving away from traditional methods, wet floor cleaners like the Dyson WashG1 simplify the floor cleaning experience and provide a modern efficient and hygienic solution” To help take the guesswork out of mopping, the brand new WashG1 is Dyson’s first dedicated wet floor cleaner that tackles wet and dry debris in one go. Engineered for hygienic cleaning and maintenance, the WashG1 is revolutionising wet floor cleaning, removing the need for multi-products and multi-steps to achieve a barefoot clean feel around the home. To put the product to the test, Dyson have cleaned one of London’s most iconic landmarks The Victoria and Albert Museum. From cleaning the grand marble floors housing the most prestigious exhibits, to cleaning up leftover food in the Gamble Room Cafe, the WashG1 had a dirt busting tour of the museum leaving it spotless. Images can be found here. The WashG1 introduces Dyson’s engineering expertise to cleaning hard floors. With a 1 litre clean-water tank to cover flooring up to 290m2, the Dyson WashG1 uses a combination of hydration, absorption, and extraction technologies to remove wet and dry spills and stains simultaneously. The Dyson WashG1 is available to purchase now from Dyson.co.uk, retailing at £599.99.

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