Knowing your dashboard warning lights can help you catch issues with your vehicle before they become more significant. Keep reading this post by AMSOIL: National Synthetics in Acworth for everything you need to know. 

It’s Essential to Pay Attention to Your Dashboard

Dashboards have warning lights for a reason, and it’s important to always pay attention to them. It might seem obvious, but the hustle and bustle of life might cause you to ignore them or get used to them being on. In reality, doing so can cause far more serious issues that can damage your vehicle in the long run. That’s why we want to emphasize the importance of knowing what each dashboard warning light means and what you should do about it when it turns on.

Regular maintenance can prevent many issues that dashboard warning lights usually signal. Call National Synthetics today at (678) 799-9062 for advice on the best products for your vehicle, or visit AMSOIL’s online shop to place an order anytime!

The Meaning Behind Each Symbol

Your car is a complex machine with different components you need to pay attention to from time to time. That said, car manufacturers try to bring awareness to certain vehicle parts when required with dashboard warning lights. The meaning of some are more evident than others; that’s why we put together this post to help you learn more about what each light means.

Airbag Light

The airbag light looks like a person sitting down with a seatbelt on and a ball over their lap. When you start your engine, this light will turn on as your car’s computer boots up. That said, if the light stays on, it means your airbags might be experiencing technical problems. It’s essential to visit your mechanic as soon as possible to get it sorted, as they could fail to deploy when you need them.

Engine Oil Light

The engine oil light looks like a classic oil can with a drop falling from its spout. This light means there’s a problem with your oil, like insufficient levels, a burst oil line, or a mechanical issue. It’s possible that you can fix the issue by replacing the oil, but your best bet is to visit a mechanic to get it sorted.

The best way to keep your vehicle in great condition is by using excellent products for its maintenance, like AMSOIL’s AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil. give National Synthetics a call today at (678) 799-9062 for more information about excellent products for your engine, or visit AMSOIL’s online shop to place an order today.

Brake System Light

The brake system light looks like a circle with an exclamation mark in the middle and parentheses on both sides. This indicates a problem with your brakes or the brake system in general. You can check if any of the brakes on your wheels look jammed, but if this doesn’t seem to be the issue, it’s a good idea to set up an appointment with your trusted mechanic.

ABS Warning Light

If your car has ABS brakes, your vehicle might also have a brake light with the letters ABS in the middle. This light usually means your ABS has problems preventing your brakes from locking.

Vehicle Stability Assist Program Light

The vehicle stability assist program light looks like a car with squiggly lines coming from its tires. This could mean a problem with your car’s traction control system, which usually turns on simultaneously with your ABS warning light. The other option is this light flashing which indicates hazardous driving conditions.

All-Wheel Drive Light

If the letters AWD light up on your dashboard, don’t worry about it, as it doesn’t mean something’s wrong. AWD means that your car detected that the all-wheel drive has been turned on. This is more a “so you know” light than a warning one.

Battery Light

Lastly, your battery light looks like a rectangle with - and + symbols. It might mean that your battery has dirty or loose connections, or you might need a new one. It’s a good idea to look under the hood at your battery’s condition. That said, if it’s been a while since you last changed your battery, specifically more than three or four years, it might be time to spring for a new one.

Keeping your vehicle in good condition has a lot to do with regular maintenance. If you have any questions about your car’s maintenance, call National Synthetics at (678) 799-9062 or visit AMSOIL’s online shop for the best products for your engine.