Your Car is Telling You Something

It’s normal to have a car’s instrument panel light up like a Christmas tree for a few seconds every time the ignition is engaged, but if one or more of those signals remains illuminated, it’s usually a sign of trouble. Depending on the light, it could either be a major issue that should be attended to immediately, or a more benign problem that can be addressed at some point down the road. The most common of these warning signals is the so-called “Check Engine” light, which is usually noted by either an outline of a car’s engine or the words themselves. It commonly means either the ignition, fuel injection or emission control system is not operating properly. According to the Car Care Council in Bethesda, Md., this could note any of a range of maladies big and small, from a fuel filler cap that hasn’t been fully sealed to a faulty oxygen sensor or even bad spark plugs and wires. However, if the light is flashing the condition is critical and should be checked out immediately to prevent severe problems that may include damaging the catalytic converter and perhaps even an engine fire. “Even if the vehicle appears to be running normally, ignoring the warning light could result in more costly repairs,” says Rich White, the CCC’s executive director. “At the very least, the light could be alerting you to an engine problem that is negatively impacting fuel economy and costing you money.” Here’s a quick look at the myriad other warning lights on a vehicle’s instrument panel that can indicate mechanical problems and what do when they unexpectedly illuminate: “ABS.” Problem: Something’s wrong with the car’s antilock braking system; normal braking might not be affected, but the vehicle could lose its ability to stop without skidding on wet or icy surfaces. Action: Have the system examined by a technician soon. “ALT” or “GEN.” Problem: The alternator has stopped supplying electrical power to the charging system, and the vehicle will stop running once the battery has been depleted. Action: Switch off accessories to save power and head for the nearest repair shop or find a safe place to pull over and call for assistance. “BRAKE.” Problem: The emergency brake is engaged or there’s a loss or low level of brake fluid (symbol may appear as a circle with a slash through it or the word “Brake”). Action: If the emergency brake is released, have the system checked out immediately; if braking is adversely affected, pull over and call for assistance. “OIL.” Problem: When this word or a silhouette of an oil can illuminates it means the oil pressure is low. Action: Pull off the road and call for assistance to prevent engine damage. “TEMP.” Problem: When you see this warning or a thermometer symbol it means the car is overheating. Action: turn off the air conditioning and switch the heater on full blast to help relieve the pressure. If possible, pull over and pour a 50/50 percent mix of water and coolant into the reservoir (usually at the back of the engine compartment). If the light goes out after the car idles for a few minutes, drive it to a repair shop to have the cooling system examined; if it stays on call for assistance. “Tire Pressure.” Problem: A cross-section of a tire with an exclamation point means one or more tires are underinflated. Action: If there’s a flat or severely deflated tire, either change it according to the automaker’s instructions or call for assistance. Otherwise, drove to the nearest gas station and check the air pressure in each of the tires with a good-quality gauge. Inflate the tire or tires that are low according to the manufacturer’s recommendations (noted in the owner’s manual or doorjamb sticker). Have a flat tire repaired by a technician, or replaced if necessary (it’s usually best to swap out tires in pairs, front or rear) and/or have the tires checked to ensure there are no leaks or other damage.