By the Dashboard Lights- Part Deux

Now that you’ve got many dashboard light meanings twirling around in your brain, let’s add a few more! You are thisclose to being a dashboard genius.

Transmission Temperature

This yellow light is trying to point out that your transmission temperature is getting too high. It looks like a thermometer surrounded by a gear. If you are towing something and this light comes on, pull over and let things cool off. Check your transmission fluid level and have your auto repair shop look at your transmission to be sure there isn’t excessive wear on the parts.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

An exclamation point in the middle implies how important this yellow light is. The two thirds circle with tread on the bottom is supposed to be a tire. Let’s just go with it. This light comes on when tire pressure is outside the normal limits.

Many modern cars have a reading in the infotainment system that shows you the exact pressure in each tire. If you see that one tire is lower than the others, stop and fill that tire with some air. Once you restart the car, see if the warning light goes off. If it doesn’t, you may have a leak in the tire or a problem with the monitoring system. Have that checked out ASAP by your mechanic.

Traction Control/Stability Control

Stability control systems try to avoid the slip and slide situations that come with rainy, icy, or snowy weather conditions. This yellow light looks exactly like what the car is trying to avoid, a car with wavy lines under it, like a curvy/out of control road. This light comes on when the system is engaged. In slippery conditions, illumination of this light is good news. If you are driving in dry conditions and the light pops on, there may be a glitch in the system such as a wheel speed sensor or some high performance settings.

Lamp Out

This one seems pretty obvious- a yellow light bulb with an exclamation point in the center. This indicates that a headlight or tail lamp is out. While not as serious as others in this list, you could be risking a ticket or even an accident if you don’t address the problem. Change that bulb!

Washer Fluid, Door Open, Low Fuel

These lights also fall into the not-as-serious category.

A windshield with a jet of fluid lets you know that you need to refill the windshield washer fluid. At least, you do if you want to be able to wash off the bugs and other delightful debris that finds its way onto your windshield.

The car with open doors tells you- a door is open. No mystery here. Close the door before driving.

The illuminated fuel pump alerts you to the need for fuel. Time to find some low-priced gas. Hahahahaha!

Expert level tip- the arrow next to the fuel pump points to which side the gas flap is on.

You are now familiar with the most common dashboard lights. You are a hero behind the wheel. You can dazzle people at parties. You dominate at trivia night. Nice work.