Dummy Lights: Part 1

At a Defensive Driving Class, you can learn plenty about keeping your vehicle in good shape. This week, we're going to look at dummy lights.

It’s amazing how much our cars can tell us if we pay attention. Your dashboard warning lights can warn you of problems that could be serious. Here’s a look at what your vehicle could, at some point, be trying to say.

Check Engine
This one is notoriously ambiguous. Unless there are other accompanying symptoms of trouble, you probably won’t even know what’s wrong with your car. Most of the time you’ll still be able to drive if this light is on. However, it’s best to visit a mechanic when you get a chance, since that’s the only place with the diagnostic equipment to tell you what’s going on.

Oil Light
Now, this one is much more clear. If it comes on, it means you’re low on oil pressure. You’ll need to pull over, turn off the engine, and call for roadside assistance—unless you happen to have oil with you. In that case, you can just pop the hood, wait a few minutes for the car to cool down, check the oil, and add however much you need. Then, get to a service station to get the problem dealt with in full.

Understanding dashboard warning lights is just one of many aspects of defensive driving . More on some of the lights and what they mean, next time.