Half of drivers find warning lights ‘confusing:’ Survey

Have you ever ignored a warning light on your vehicle’s dashboard?

You’re not alone, according to a survey.

Diono, a Seattle, Washington-based car seat company asked 2,000 drivers ages 18-65 a variety of questions about warning lights that may pop up on their dashboard. It also asked them to identify the lights.

The results startled researchers.

No one was more surprised that 35 per cent of drivers admitted to ignoring a warning light than Tim Maule, the CEO of Diono.

"Drivers understanding what the warning signs on their vehicles mean could be the difference between life and death, for you, your passengers, or other road users," he said in a news release. "These warning signs are there for your safety and should never be ignored. If one comes on, don't ignore it."

The survey, done earlier this year, revealed only seven per cent of drivers said they were extremely confident in their ability to correctly identify all their vehicle’s warning lights.

When asked 'What would you do if a warning light came on and you didn't know what it meant?' the study found:

• 15% would stop their vehicle immediately, demonstrating a cautious approach.
• 19% would keep driving and hope the issue went away, risking potential damage.
• 34% would call someone or Google it to understand the warning.
• 27% would head straight to a repair shop.
• 5% admit they would ignore the light unless something else seemed wrong.

When drivers were asked why they would ignore a light, 29% said it was because the car was "still working."

Over half (51%) of respondents admitted they found dashboard lights to be "confusing" or "not straightforward."

Warning light basics

There are generally three different grades of dash indicators, separated by colour:

Green or blue: These are notification lights. They don’t signal a fault or problem. These include your headlights, high beams, cruise control, or parking assistance system.

Yellow or orange: A low-grade warning light, they indicate there is a problem with your vehicle that should be dealt with in the near future. The vehicle can usually still be driven a few kilometres or the fix is one that can be easily taken care of, like closing a vehicle’s door.

Red dashboard: These are serious. You should stop immediately, or risk damage to the car. The best course of action is to pull over and call roadside assistance.  

When you turn your vehicle on, all lights illuminate. That’s just a quick system check. But if you’re driving, and a light comes on it could mean trouble. Here’s a review of some of the major ones:

Engine Oil LightThis looks a bit like a gravy boat and means there's a problem with your engine oil pressure. Without sufficient oil pressure, the engine can't properly lubricate itself. That can lead to major mechanical problems. Get this checked right away.

Check Engine LightOne of the most common, but one of the most ambiguous. It can be minor, but if it’s flashing that could mean something serious. If you see this engine-shaped light something's gone wrong and you should head to the shop.

Engine Temperature LightThis light lets you know your engine’s temperature is too high. It is typically caused by a lack of coolant but could be caused by other things. Check your coolant level. If your car is so hot the engine, coolant reservoir, or coolant tank is "smoking," call a tow service.

Low Tire PressureThe little exclamation point inside of a half-circle means one or more of your tires have low pressure. Find a safe place to stop and inspect the tires. If they look a bit low, make your way to the nearest gas station to fill them with air.

Brake System WarningThe brake warning light usually means the emergency brake is engaged. If releasing it does not solve the problem, then it’s likely a bigger issue with your primary brake system that you want to get fixed ASAP.

ABS Sensor WarningAlthough related to the braking system, the ABS warning does not signal a failure of the physical brakes. Instead, it’s an issue with the anti-lock brake system. If you stop too hard with this light on, your vehicle’s brakes may lock up, which could make it harder to come to a full stop. 

Airbag WarningThis light can mean a number of things including the sensors that detect crashes and deploy airbags in the event of an accident have failed. If this light pops up on the dash consistently, have your vehicle inspected.

Battery LightIf you see a little red battery or “Check engine” on your dash, that means you're powering your car on the battery alone. When the engine isn't on, the alternator isn't actively charging the battery. That means eventually you'll drain the battery and will likely need a boost to get going again.

Low FuelThis one’s obvious. Don’t try and “make it,” stop for gas!

Other indicators on your dash to become acquainted with include the fog and high beam lights to name a few. Review your vehicle’s manual to familiarize yourself with them. In the event you see a serious warning, don’t ignore it. You may damage your car further and add to repair costs.