Is the SVS light on the car dashboard serious?
2 Answers
The vehicle condition is quite serious at this point. When the SVS light appears on the dashboard, it indicates a malfunction in the vehicle's engine. The driver should immediately stop the car in a safe manner and contact professional maintenance personnel for repairs. Here is some relevant information: 1. Reasons for the SVS light being on: The SVS light is similar to the engine malfunction light. When the SVS indicator lights up, it means the engine control unit has detected an erroneous signal from a sensor or that the sensor has exceeded its standard usage limits. When the ignition is turned on, the SVS light will illuminate briefly for an automatic check and then turn off after a few seconds, allowing the vehicle to operate normally. 2. What to do when the SVS light is on: First, check if other vehicle equipment shows any abnormalities, such as the coolant temperature gauge or the oil pressure warning light. If only the SVS light is on and the engine can still be started, drive cautiously, control your speed, and promptly take the car to a repair shop for inspection. If symptoms like increased combustion chamber temperature or the oil pressure warning light appear, continuing to drive could significantly increase engine wear, leading to premature engine damage.
I've been driving for many years, and you really shouldn't ignore the SVS light when it comes on. It's called the Service Vehicle Soon indicator, and when it lights up, it means there's an issue with the vehicle's system—the range of potential problems is vast. It could be something as minor as a loose sensor or as serious as the engine needing repairs. Once, I ignored the light, and my fuel consumption skyrocketed. Later, I found out it was an oxygen sensor failure, which was fixed with a small repair cost. But if you ignore it, the problem can worsen, potentially damaging the engine or triggering emission issues. I recommend taking your car to a repair shop first—have them use a diagnostic tool to read the trouble codes, identify the cause, and address it properly. This approach saves money and gives peace of mind. Regular vehicle inspections can help prevent such situations.