Understanding the Symbols on Your Car's Dashboard
Vehicles are complex machines with many moving parts that all work together to perform an overall task. However, when one of these parts breaks or is malfunctioning, your vehicle will most likely let you know about the issue. This notification can come in many ways, but a dashboard symbol is usually the notification method that is used in vehicles. You may find yourself wondering about the warning lights on your Cadillac Escalade - your vehicle has many symbols that each represent something important, but these are some of the most common symbols that are found on the dashboards and gauges of vehicles.
Check Engine Light
The check engine light of your vehicle is one of the most important symbols that is on your vehicle's dashboard. The check engine light is shaped like the outline of an engine and typically illuminates with a yellow color. If the check engine light of your vehicle turns on, then you must stop driving the vehicle as soon as possible. The symbol raises the awareness of a driver to a variety of issues with their vehicle, from issues that may be as simple as a loose component to issues that can be as serious as an impending engine failure.
To turn off the check engine light of your vehicle, if it is on, you will first need to identify the issue that your vehicle is having, then repair the problem. Once the problem has been resolved, the check engine light will turn off automatically. However, if the check engine light of your vehicle doesn't automatically turn off and you have resolved the problem that caused the light to illuminate, then you can reset the computer of your vehicle, which will allow the light to turn off.
Low Oil Pressure Light
The oil pressure light of your vehicle is shaped like a pitcher that has a drop of fluid coming out of its snout. The light illuminates with a red color and should be addressed immediately if it turns on. In fact, you will need to drive your vehicle as little as possible if its oil pressure light comes on, as driving with low oil pressure can cause your vehicle's engine to fail.
To turn off the oil pressure light of your vehicle, you first need to identify what is causing the light to remain on. The oil pressure light of your vehicle can turn on if the engine's oil needs to be changed. Your vehicle's oil pressure light can also turn on if its engine doesn't have the oil pressure that it needs to receive proper lubrication.
Tire Pressure Warning Light
The low tire pressure symbol is shaped like a flat tire with an exclamation mark in its center. If one of the tires on your vehicle has a low air pressure, then this light will illuminate. Similarly, the light will illuminate if all of the tires on your vehicle have air pressures that are unsafe to drive with.
To turn the low tire pressure warning light of your vehicle off, you simply need to inflate the tires that have low air pressures. You can find the proper tire pressures for your vehicle on the door jam of the driver's door or in the vehicle's owner's manual. A bad tire pressure sensor can also cause the low tire pressure warning light to illuminate, so replacing the sensor will turn the light off if it is the problem.
Engine Temperature Warning Light
The engine temperature warning symbol is shaped like a thermometer that is submerged in waves of fluid. The engine temperature warning light illuminates red and warns drivers of issues that are directly related to the temperatures of their vehicles' engines. The light can illuminate if a vehicle is low on coolant or antifreeze. The engine temperature warning light can also illuminate if a vehicle's engine is overheating.
Low Fuel Light
The low fuel symbol is simply shaped like a pump at a fuel station. The low fuel light illuminates with a yellow color. This light will illuminate when your vehicle's fuel tank is close to empty. You will need to refuel your vehicle when its low fuel light illuminates, as the light comes on when there is a minimal amount of fuel in a vehicle's tank.
Visit Coulter Cadillac in Tempe
Most vehicles share the same symbols as one another. Therefore, you need to acquaint yourself with the symbols of your vehicle so that you can be prepared for any future vehicles that you may own. Understanding what your vehicle is trying to communicate to you will also help you to keep your vehicle running smoothly and reliably. If you would like to learn more about what the symbols on the dashboard of your vehicle mean, then visit us at Coulter Tempe Cadillac. We will gladly help you with your vehicle and provide you with the information that will allow you to keep your vehicle running reliably on the road.
