Important Dashboard Lights On Your Car | Hebert’s Town & Country CDJR
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When dashboard lights come on, it’s something you should take seriously. You don’t want to let a check engine light go for months and then have a breakdown in the middle of the street like Penny on “The Big Bang Theory.”
At Hebert’s Town & Country Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Shreveport, Louisiana, we’re here to help!
We’ll explain four important dashboard lights that you may run into, what they mean and what you can do to ensure your vehicle’s health is maintained.
Check Engine Light
The light is in the shape of an engine and sometimes has the word “CHECK” or “CHECK ENGINE” near it. This light is a cue from the engine’s computer to let you know that something is wrong, whether it’s an issue with the catalytic converter or your gas cap is loose. While this light could mean a wide range of problems, some of them small and some of them large, do not ignore this light. If the light is on and stays on, get it checked out as soon as you can. If the light is flashing, this is an indication that there’s a serious problem that could escalate quickly.
Oil Pressure Warning
This is one of the more obvious-looking dashboard lights because it’s an old-school oil can. If this light is on, it’s important to get it diagnosed immediately because it’s likely that your oil pressure is low, which can cause all kinds of engine damage if not addressed straightaway.
Powertrain Malfunction
This icon is a gear with an exclamation point inside it. This light is illuminated if there’s a serious problem with your car’s powertrain. Your car is in dire need of attention if this light beams at you, so turn the car off and call your preferred mechanic or service center to remedy the issue.
Brake System Alert
This icon looks like a circle with an exclamation mark inside it. When your engine is running low on brake fluid, this little guy will light up. Low brake fluid is a major issue so take your vehicle to a service center as soon as you can. It’s possible for your anti-lock brake system to malfunction and this light to turn on accidentally as well. In any case, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
The Service Department at Hebert’s Town & Country Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram can help with all of these dashboard lights. If one of them comes on, give us a call or swing by the dealership and we’ll take care of it for you!
4 comment(s) so far on Important Dashboard Lights On Your Car | Hebert’s Town & Country CDJR
This is only mildly useful. How do I find what each little icon MEANS?? I see at least 6 that I can’t decipher.
This blog is an overview of what we feel are the most important warning lights. Each vehicle brand is different but the major lights are fairly universal. Refer to your owner’s manual for the lights on your vehicle. If that doesn’t help, you can always give us a call at (318) 221-9000 or bring it by our service department.
What foes the “Engine Hours” light mean when it comes on? Mine says below it 3657 and keeps going up in numbers each day.
Hi Angie, the engine hours is exactly what its name suggests. It tracks the total hours that your engine has been running, including sitting idle in your garage, at a stoplight, in traffic, etc. If you take your total mileage and divide it by the engine hour total, you’ll find the average mph that your car travels at. This number going up isn’t anything to be alarmed of, but it can lead to excessive burning of oil and lowered fuel efficiency as your car gets older. Don’t hesitate to give us a call at (888) 224-2746 or bring it by our service department for any more questions that you might have!