800,000+ customers
27 locations
92% recommend us
meaning of warning lights
Home Blog meaning warning lights

What do the warning lights in your car mean?

Mar 06, 2019
5 min reading time

It can cause a lot of stress when a warning light comes on the dashboard of your car and you don't know the meaning of the light. Many people do not look up the meaning of the light until such a light comes on. Do you know what these lights mean?

Cheap car insurance?

Cars are becoming more modern and ingenious. As technology advances and cars gain more features, so do the chances of something going wrong. A good car insurance policy is indispensable. It is also important to know the meaning of warning symbols and what to do when they light up.

Are there different colors of lights?

The warning lights in the car are different colors. The colors all have different meanings. This way they indicate what is wrong or broken.

Very handy to know is that red warning symbols mean you need to take immediate action. If a white light comes on, this is an indication or recommendation. When a warning light is on, it does not always mean that something needs to be done. In fact, a green light indicates that this system is working properly. A yellow/orange light indicates that you should have your car checked soon, but does not indicate acute danger. A blue light on your dashboard means the car's high beam is on.

When starting the car, the lights are often on for verification. It is important that you take action when you see that certain lights have stopped working. You need to get these lights fixed as soon as possible. If something is really wrong, it is necessary that it can be made clear through the lights.

Especially when buying a used car, be sure that all the lights are still working. In fact, sellers may disconnect a light that stays on.

Warning lights

The meaning of the warning lights

Most of the symbols are universal. You may find that some lights are brand specific. An overview of the common warning lights can be found below.

Calculate car insurance premium >>

1 - Battery or alternator problems
2 - Tailgate not closed (properly)
3 - Front airbag deactivated
4 - Electronic parking brake (parking brake) engaged
5 - Someone does not have their seat belt on
6 - Coolant problems
7 - Lane monitoring is disabled
8 - Engine cover not closed (properly)
9 - Oil level too high or too low
10 - Proximity alarm, you are driving too close to your predecessor
11 - Door not closed (properly)
12 - Parking brake engaged
13 - Car key battery low
14 - Problems with power steering
15 - Steering lock is engaged

16 - Failure in the driveline (engine).
17 - Fault in the anti-lock braking system
18 - Low electric vehicle range
19 - Automatic start/stop
20 - Low tire pressure or flat tire
21 - Mountain brake is engaged
22 - Low fuel level
23 - Problems with the particulate filter
24 - Low level of windshield washer fluid
25 - Problems with the lights
26 - Electrical component failure
27 - Water in fuel filter
28 - Engine trouble
29 - Clutch needs to be depressed
30 - Problems with suspension/shock absorbers
31 - Problems with the brake lights
32 - Key is not in the car
33 - Air filter is dirty or clogged
34 - Worn brake pads
35 - Fuel filter problems
36 - Speed limiter is on
37 - Headlight height adjustment

38 - Low beam switched on
39 - City lights switched on
40 - Front fog light switched on
41 - High beam switched on

Are you guilty of causing accident by ignoring warning light?

Have you ever driven on with a lit warning light on your car's dashboard? Don't! The chances are that you will be punishable in an accident.
Never before has a driver been charged for ignoring a warning light indicating that the tire pressure is (too) low or that you have a flat tire. The driver is considered punishable by the Public Prosecutor's Office (OM) for causing a serious accident as a result of ignoring the warning light.

As more and more vehicles are equipped with a dashcam, it will also be used more often in court cases in the future. It can also help you prove your innocence in a collision.

This may affect not only this driver, but all drivers in the Netherlands.

Read the full article here: Accident caused by ignoring warning light

Also read the blog post: Engine management light on: what exactly does it mean?

Calculate the premium for a cheap car insurance

Now with free recovery service
  • To calculate premiums, we need the zip code of the primary driver. For private use, the youngest driver must reside at the same address as the applicant. In case of business use, you can enter the postal code of the company here.

We can be reached via Chat, Whatsapp, phone or email

Please feel free to contact us if you would like to know more.
We are here Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00.

get in touch