Dad's Quick Take
Red lights mean stop or act now (oil pressure, engine temperature, brakes, battery). Yellow/amber lights mean get it checked soon (check engine, tire pressure). When in doubt, a red light flashing means pull over safely as soon as you can.
Red = act now
- Oil pressure (oil can) — low oil pressure can wreck an engine fast; stop and check oil.
- Temperature (thermometer) — engine overheating; pull over before it damages the engine.
- Brake — could be the parking brake, low brake fluid, or a brake problem; take it seriously.
- Battery/charging — the charging system may be failing; you could lose power soon.
Yellow = check soon
- Check engine — get it scanned (many auto-parts stores do it free). Steady is “soon”; flashing is “now.”
- Tire pressure (TPMS) — check and inflate your tires.
- ABS — anti-lock brakes need attention, though normal brakes usually still work.
Dad's take
Keep your owner's manual in the glovebox — it has a picture key for every light. A $0 lookup can save a $5,000 engine.
Common questions
Check engine light came on but the car feels fine?
Still get it scanned soon — it can be something minor like a loose gas cap, or an early warning of something bigger. Flashing means stop driving and get help.