If you are anything like me you know next to nothing about what noises your car should and shouldn't be making, or what warning lights mean. While a picture is worth a thousand words, this post should clarify what the car warning lights actually mean.
First of all, let's put them in priority order. The most important lights are at the top of the list.
Oil pressure - It looks like a genie's lamp dripping. Something is wrong with the car's oil pressure system. You are running low on oil or it isn't pumping correctly. This is not something to ignore.
Engine Temperature - The image to picture is a thermometer with waves below it. Your engine overheated. You may need coolant. This is urgent and should be addressed immediately.
Antilock Brake System - In case anyone thought a light with the letters ABS was Airbag Safety System (I did, so no shame at all if you have), it is not. If it comes on for a few seconds and disappears all is well. If it stays on you need to do something about it. Antilock brakes are more important than you may think, mostly because it keeps your car on the road surface.
Traction control malfunction - This can also mean an ABS problem, but it is exactly what it says. It is a triangle with an exclamation mark inside it, all surrounded by an arrow going from right to left. The traction system is broken. Go get that fixed.
engine - So, if you see this pull over at Autozone and have them check it for free. It is shaped like an engine, literally. Your gas cap may not be fully on, your oil could be low, or you could be overheating the engine. Definitely don't let this one go unchecked.
battery - It looks like a car battery - a square with a plus and minus sign on it. It means your car battery is low, or a cable is damaged. Wait too long and you need jumper cables from a fellow driver to start up your car to get home.
low fuel - If you see this indicator, that usually explains itself, you clearly need to go get gas. I thought about leaving this one out, but it is actually important to remember your car runs on fuel. Ignoring this light can leave you stranded at the side of the highway, on a dirt road, or anywhere at all. I tend to get gas at a half or quarter tank. Nancy Drew may forget to get gas, but you shouldn't.
traction control light - The image of a swerving car is evidence the road is slippery or it is winter. If it is not winter and the road is not slippery, it is your tires that are the problem.
engine start/ automatic shift - A shoe angled upward with a circle around it means you are trying to shift gears or start the car without a foot on the brake.
seat belt reminder - This one is the law. Please wear a seatbelt while on the road. If this light is on and you do have it on, get your car checked out.
airbag indicator - A person with a bubble in front of them is the airbag indicator, showing the airbag has something wrong. Go see a mechanic.
washer fluid low - It is a windshield with a dotted line coming up the middle like water. It means you need to stop somewhere at some point for washer fluid. This one is not particularly urgent compared to the rest of these lights.
Noises Your Car Shouldn't Be Making
Your car is making noises, right? Your audiobook is getting harder to hear? Well, let's think about that for a second. Let's talk about those noises your narrator is trying to drown out.
Your car should not roar when speeding up. This can indicate exhaust system problems, including leakage. Short answer, take it to a mechanic for a check-up.
1. Are sounds after or before turning it on? 2. Are the brakes wonky or not working correctly?
3. Does how you turn make any difference?
I hope you enjoyed the overview of what your car should and shouldn't be doing. With all of us mechanically-challenged humans out there driving I felt we should all have a crash course on it. Some of us (cough, cough - me - cough, cough) generally don't know when to stop drowning our car sounds in audiobooks and radio, so I learned with the rest of you today. Be safe drivers out there and look out for the less safe drivers while shopping! Black Friday is crazy enough.
Pictures:
go mechanic
Sources:
https://www.gregs.com/10-noises-car-shouldnt-making/
https://vatire.com/car-maintenance-tips/what-all-the-symbols-on-your-dashboard-mean/
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