The short answer. Red or flashing warning lights usually mean an urgent or serious problem, and the RACV says they often mean you should stop driving immediately. Amber or orange lights usually mean a fault that needs checking soon. Whatever the colour, the NRMA’s advice is to pull over somewhere safe and check your owner’s manual, which says exactly what each light on your car means. If you are not sure, the diagnostic at Vertex Automotive in North Parramatta is $49.
Stop as soon as it is safe
Treat these as “stop driving now”. Pull over somewhere safe, away from traffic if you can, before you do anything else.
- Oil pressure (an oil can). If it comes on while you are driving, the RACV says to pull over safely and switch the engine off as soon as possible. Check the oil level only once the engine has cooled.
- Engine temperature (a thermometer) in red. The engine is too hot. Pull over safely and turn the engine off: the RACV warns that driving on could cause severe engine damage. Do not open the bonnet or take the radiator cap off while you wait. The NRMA says hot coolant and steam can escape and injure you, and that an engine can take more than an hour to cool.
- Brake warning (a circle with an exclamation mark). First make sure the handbrake is fully off. If the light stays on, the RACV says to have the braking system checked immediately. If the brake pedal also feels soft or sinks, do not drive the car: ring us.
- A flashing check engine light. The RACV says a flashing engine light could indicate a serious engine problem that needs immediate attention. Get off the road, and ring us rather than driving on.
Some red lights also put the car into limp mode, which can limit its top speed, the NRMA notes. That is the car protecting itself, not a fix.
Get it checked soon
- A steady check engine light (an engine outline). The car may still be drivable, the RACV says, but it should be checked as soon as possible. If the car also starts running differently, pull over when it is safe and call for help.
- Airbag. A light that comes on when you start the car and then goes out is normal. If it stays on, or comes on while you drive, the RACV says to have the airbags checked as soon as possible, because in a crash they may not deploy correctly.
- Other amber lights. An orange light means a system has detected a fault. The NRMA says you may keep driving with one, but should have the car looked at as soon as possible.
- Tyre pressure. Pull over safely and look at the tyres. If one is damaged, change it or call roadside assistance. If they look fine, check and inflate them to the right pressure, and if the light stays on, have the tyres checked (RACV). Our tyre pressure and safety check is free.
What happens when you bring it in
The diagnostic at Vertex Automotive is $49: a fault-code scan and a road test, so you know what the light means for your car before you decide on a repair. Any repair is quoted in writing before work starts.
If the light is one of the red ones above, do not drive the car here. Ring 0433 950 192 first and we will tell you what to do next.