What Causes the Exclamation Mark Light to Illuminate on the Car Dashboard?
2 Answers
There are three scenarios when an exclamation mark appears on the dashboard: 1. An exclamation mark inside a circle with parentheses: Brake pad damage or insufficient brake fluid. The solution is to release the parking brake and check if the brake fluid is low. If the light remains on, visit a repair shop to replace the brake pads. 2. An exclamation mark inside a triangle: External light malfunction. The solution is to check if any lights are faulty. If the light persists without any issues, it is advisable to visit a repair shop for maintenance. 3. An exclamation mark inside yellow parentheses: Issues with tire pressure in one of the tires. The solution is to check if the tire is punctured or leaking. If not, drive at low speed and find an auto repair shop, car care center, or roadside car wash, as these places usually have air pumps to inflate the tires. After inflation, observe the dashboard. If the warning light still does not turn off, locate the settings on the vehicle's central console and perform another tire pressure check. The light will turn off once the pressure is normal.
A few days ago, the exclamation mark light on my car's dashboard came on while I was driving on the highway, which really gave me a scare. Common causes could be low tire pressure, brake system failure, or an engine warning. In my case, it was a low tire pressure alert due to slow rubber expansion in hot weather. Ignoring it could lead to a tire blowout, and brake issues are even more dangerous as they can cause loss of control. I immediately slowed down and pulled over to check, noticing the tire was a bit flat. A quick trip to the repair shop for some air fixed it. I recommend fellow drivers to pull over to a safe spot first when encountering such issues, do a quick check on the tires and brake fluid, and if unsure, head to a professional shop for inspection—safety should never be taken lightly. Regular tire pressure checks can prevent problems before they occur.