Pillar guide
Dashboard lights explained — without the jargon
Dashboard warning lights fall into three categories: red usually means stop or pull over (oil pressure, coolant, brake, airbag, charging system); yellow means service soon — you can keep driving with care (check engine, ABS, tire pressure, traction control); green or blue is informational (high beam, cruise, turn signal). When a yellow light is also flashing, treat it as red. STEER reads the underlying OBD2 code behind any check-engine or service light and explains it in plain English.
The three categories of lights
RED
Usually means stop or pull over. Examples: oil pressure, coolant temperature, brake warning, airbag, charging system.
YELLOW
Usually means service is needed soon, but you can keep driving with care. Examples: check engine, tire pressure, ABS, traction control.
GREEN / BLUE
Informational — something is on or active. Examples: high beam, turn signal, cruise control, eco mode.
20 of the most common dashboard lights
Each links to a longer guide. The full library is in the STEER iPhone app.
- YELLOWCheck engine light
The car's computer detected something it can't fix on its own.
- REDOil pressure warning
Oil pressure is too low. Stop driving as soon as it is safe.
- REDEngine temperature / coolant
Engine is running too hot. Pull over before it overheats.
- REDBattery / charging system
The battery is not charging properly. You may lose power soon.
- REDBrake warning light
Could be the parking brake, low brake fluid, or a brake-system issue.
- REDAirbag / SRS warning
Airbag system has detected a fault — airbags may not deploy in a crash.
- REDPower steering warning
Power steering is impaired. The wheel will feel much heavier.
- YELLOWTire pressure (TPMS)
One or more tires is significantly under-inflated.
- YELLOWABS warning light
Anti-lock brakes are disabled. Normal brakes still work.
- YELLOWTraction control / ESC
Either active right now, or disabled due to a fault.
- YELLOWLow fuel warning
You have roughly 30–80 km of range left — varies by car.
- YELLOWService / maintenance reminder
Scheduled service is due. Not an emergency.
- YELLOWGlow plug indicator (diesel)
Wait for it to go off before starting a diesel engine.
- YELLOWDiesel particulate filter (DPF)
Particulate filter is full. A longer drive usually clears it.
- GREEN/BLUEWasher fluid low
Top up the windshield washer reservoir.
- REDSeatbelt reminder
A passenger or driver is unbuckled.
- YELLOWDoor / trunk ajar
A door, hood, or trunk is not fully closed.
- GREEN/BLUEHigh beam indicator
High-beam headlights are on. Informational only.
- GREEN/BLUETurn signal
Your turn signal is on. Informational only.
- GREEN/BLUECruise control
Cruise control is engaged or armed. Informational only.
Individual light guides expand in our content phase. Until then, the STEER app includes the full library — and reads the underlying fault code from your car.
What to do when a new light appears
Don't panic. Note which color it is — red usually means stop, yellow usually means service soon, green/blue is informational. Look it up here, and use STEER to read what your car is actually reporting.
For anything that's flashing, accompanied by smoke or a strange smell, or paired with loss of power or brakes — stop safely and call for help. See check engine light for the full safety list.