What are the Various Warning Lights on Chevrolets?

As part of Chevrolet’s commitment to safety, your Chevrolet has several valuable warning lights on its dashboard to let you know if something is amiss. These lights typically illuminate on the dash behind the steering wheel, but some vehicles like the Chevy Camero, Chevy Corvette, Chevy Silverado, Chevy Suburban, and Chevy Tahoe have an available heads-up display that projects some essential information onto the windshield as well.

The owner’s manual has a complete rundown of all the warning lights for your make and model. Read as our Allen Turner Chevrolet team in Crestview, Florida, shares some of the most important lights you might see.

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Check Engine Light

The check engine light is among your vehicle’s most important warning lights. While this symbol looks like the outline of a classic engine, it hardly represents the technology under the hood today. The check engine light is something you can’t afford to ignore. There are hundreds of potential issues lurking behind this warning light, ranging from something as simple as a loose gas cap to something as complex as an issue with the catalytic converter.

It’s always a good idea to first check that you’ve tightened the gas cap, especially if the check engine light illuminates right after you’ve filled the tank. But if this doesn’t resolve the issue, you need to visit your nearest dealership to diagnose the cause of this warning light. Pull over and have your vehicle towed to the shop if the engine isn’t working properly.

Oil Warning Light

The oil warning light looks like a gas can with a drop of liquid falling from the tip. This light may simply alert you to a low oil level. The first thing you should do is check the oil to see if you need to top it off. If this resolves the warning light, you can go about your day without further concern. Be sure to note what the oil looks like and check that you’ve followed the oil change schedule. In Florida’s hot, humid climate, you may need to schedule oil changes more frequently.

The oil warning light may also alert you to a broken oil pump, an oil leak in the engine, or other serious issues. You need to visit a dealership if the light doesn’t go off despite adequate oil levels.

Engine Temperature Warning

The engine temperature light looks like a thermometer with wavy lines at the bottom. This light indicates an overheating engine. If it turns on, you should pull over and turn your car off as soon as possible. It often comes on if the engine is overworked in hot weather, which is more likely in our Crestview, Florida, climate than in other parts of the country.

Once the engine has cooled down, you can carefully lift the hood, check the coolant level, and add more coolant or water if it’s low. If your vehicle continually has this problem, you should visit a dealership to see if there’s a coolant leak or another issue with the coolant pump and lines.

Tire Pressure Indicator

Most vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system that lets you know if one of the tires is low. The tire pressure indicator light looks like a flat tire on the bottom. It typically illuminates when the tire pressure is off by at least 25%.

You shouldn’t rely solely on this warning light to ensure you’ve properly inflated your Chevrolet’s tires. But if the light does come on, it can be a handy reminder to check the pressure and inflate the tires as needed. If they already have the proper pressure, you may need to see a mechanic to address a faulty sensor.

Battery Light

The battery light looks just like a car battery, making it easy to interpret. This light can indicate a problem with a dying battery or another part of the charging system, such as the alternator or wiring. It’s vital not to ignore this light when it turns on. You should typically get your vehicle off the road as soon as you safely can.

You don’t want to find yourself stuck on the side of the I-10 with a dead battery. Have a mechanic diagnose the issue promptly so you can resolve it and get back on the road safely.

Brake System

As part of one of the most critical systems in your car, the brakes are something you always want to keep a keen eye on. The brake warning light looks like an exclamation point inside a circle with parenthesis around it. The first thing you should do is check to make sure your parking brake isn’t engaged. You’ll see this light if you forget that the parking brake is on and attempt to drive away.

If the parking brake isn’t on, the brake light could indicate several problems, including low brake fluid levels, worn brake pads, hydraulic issues, or trouble with the antilock braking system, which are all serious matters you can’t afford to ignore. Visit a professional service center immediately to make sure your vehicle is in safe and operable condition.

Service Reminder Indicator

The service reminder indicator is a vague-looking symbol that features a wrench inside the silhouette of a vehicle. It may seem alarming since it could indicate any number of problems. But you can rest assured because the service reminder indicator is one of the least concerning lights on your vehicle. It simply lets you know that your vehicle is due for scheduled maintenance. Make an appointment with our service center at your convenience, and we’ll let you know what services it’s due for.

Resolve the Warning Lights on Your Chevrolet’s Dash

If one or more warning lights are illuminated on your Chevrolet’s dash, and you can’t resolve them with basic DIY measures, such as topping off the oil, you should make an appointment for professional auto service as soon as possible. Schedule a visit to Allen Turner Chevrolet for a quick diagnosis and reliable solution.

On [46 of 52] by Chris Isherwood is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0