Car warning lights have varying degrees of severity. Our technicians here at Cedar Garage are highly skilled in vehicle diagnostics. Therefore, if you have a warning light on, you are in the right place!
If you find yourself asking “I’ve got a car warning light on. Can I continue to drive?” this article is for you. The more complex cars become, the more warning lights get invented. So, it’s pretty hard to keep up, especially when it comes to whether you can still drive with the warning light on.
Important Things To Remember:
Not only do we have the standard car warning lights, but modern electronic systems such as air bags and stability control, now have their own warning lights. If you have a warning light on, turn your car off, then restart it. If the light is still present, that generally means the issue is real and needs addressing.
The most important car warning lights to watch out for are the ones telling you to stop the car. These indicate a fault that requires you to stop as safely as possible. Continuing to drive could lead to serious, expensive and dangerous damage. In this situation you should refer to the drivers handbook to identify what actions you should take. If you are out and about, your roadside assistance may be the best first response. If you are unsure, contact us and we will be able to advise you on what to do.
Which Car Warning Lights Matter The Most?
All warning lights are important, but the most common ones we are contacted for are as follows:
The Engine Management Light
This light tends to look like an engine whose surround is lit up. It highlights some mechanical or electrical fault you have with the engine. Therefore, it comes on when an engine related system is outside its parameters and requires attention.
Failing to take heed and have this fault inspected could easily lead to additional damage or even a costly breakdown. With the right equipment, a simple diagnostic evaluation will identify the root cause. As well as give us a strong indication if a quick fix will suffice or something more in-depth fault finding is needed.
The ABS Lamp
This Specifically warns if there is a fault with the Antilock Braking System and could lead to braking distance being affected. It could also be a warning that you may not be able to avoid any skidding in adverse conditions. It couldd also mean that your ability to steer whilst braking may be impaired.
The Airbag Warning Light
The airbag warning light illuminates if there is any fault with the airbag system. Although it is unlikely to affect how the car handles, it must not be ignored. The consequences of airbag malfunction could be very serious if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident. Modern airbags are now an integral part of a vehicle’s safety system. So, they should never be considered as an optional extra.
The Power Steering's Failure Lamp
A fault in the power steering system may coincide with your steering becoming very heavy, which would make it difficult to control the car safely. Although it’s possible to manoeuvre the car to a place of safety at low speeds. However, it would be very dangerous to continue driving at normal speeds.
The Cooling System Light
When there is too little coolant for the engine or the power unit runs in excess of its maximum temperature, the cooling system light will illuminate. Continuing to drive risks the engine overheating and performance suffering. There is also a high likelihood of serious engine damage and the car stopping completely.
The Oil Pressure Light
The reason for this light coming on could be a low oil level, or significant loss of oil pressure. In turn, this may be caused by insufficient oil or it could be that the car has suffered a more significant mechanical failure. You must pull over where it’s safe to ensure that the engine does not fail completely. Consequently, this could cause even more damage and an expensive repair or replacement.
So there you have it. It really is important to take these car warning lights seriously. Failing to heed their warnings could lead to unnecessary expense as well as serious damage to the car, driver and passengers. The best news is that our technicians at Cedar Garage are more than happy to help. We have expertise in this field and we can guarantee that these complex systems can be fixed by our skilled technicians. We aim to give great value and peace of mind every time. Call us today or use the button below to book online.
