Many of us tend to ignore the lights on our dashboards as long as our cars keep running, adhering to the mantra, ” If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. However, if certain lights stay illuminated to not ignore them because they are signalling that something is wrong with your car which may cause it to break down.
Here are four dashboard lights that you should never ignore:
1. The engine light indicates emissions-related engines problems. This is a tricky situation because the light only indicates that there is a problem with your engine, but not what is actually is. The usual culprits tend to be empty radiators that cause overheating, leading to blown gaskets and cracked pistons that can cause accidents. Therefore, have your engine checked by a mechanic when this light is blinking or illuminated.
2. The temperature light turns on when your car’s coolant levels are low, or if the water pump or radiator fan is malfunctioning. This can cause your engine to overheat, so bring your car to a halt immediately and after it has cooled down, check the coolant level and top up if needed. If the problem persists, take your car to the mechanic.
3. The battery light can signal a host of issues as contrary to popular belief, it is not always a worn-out battery that causes it to illuminate; the car’s drive belt, charging unit or battery cables maybe culprits. Therefore, you should drive straight to an automobile repair shop as soon as this light turns on.
4. The brake light usually switches on if the handbrake is not fully released; however, it could also be an indicator of low brake fluid. Top is up also be an indicator of low brake fluid. Top it up until the fluid reaches the red mark; if the light stays on, it is likely that there is a leakage. Low levels of brake fluid can increase the car’s braking time, so have it checked immediately to avoid collisions.
By Jaffer Khan