What does a red exclamation mark on a car indicate?
2 Answers
Red exclamation mark (specifically a circle with an exclamation mark inside parentheses) represents a warning for the braking system, mainly indicating a brake system malfunction or low brake fluid level. Solution: Immediate inspection and repair of the braking system is required to avoid accidents. Apart from the red exclamation mark indicating a brake system fault, other exclamation marks on a car are yellow, representing general faults, automatic transmission faults, abnormal tire pressure, and lighting faults. Below is a detailed analysis of these four situations: General Fault: A triangle with an exclamation mark inside. If this symbol lights up, it indicates a general performance or component/function fault in the car. Common issues include parking sensor faults, fuel cutoff system intervention or malfunction, external light faults, engine oil pressure sensor faults, etc. It is necessary to visit a 4S shop for inspection to identify the source of the fault. Automatic Transmission Fault: A yellow gear with an exclamation mark inside. This is the automatic transmission fault warning light, indicating a transmission fault or transmission lubricant level below the normal range. Transmission fluid should be replaced promptly. Abnormal Tire Pressure: A horizontal line under parentheses with an exclamation mark in the middle. This represents the tire pressure monitoring warning light, which lights up when the car's tire pressure is too low. Check the car's tire pressure and restore it to the normal range. Lighting Fault: A yellow bulb with an exclamation mark. This is the lighting fault indicator, signaling a fault in one of the car's lights. Solution: Visit a 4S shop for inspection and repair as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can perform a self-check, focusing on commonly used bulbs such as turn signals, fog lights, and interior lights, to identify the issue.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and when that red exclamation warning light comes on, I know it's serious trouble—most likely a brake system issue. The most common cause is low brake fluid level, possibly due to cracks in the reservoir causing leaks or excessive brake pad wear leading to fluid depletion. Just the other day, my neighbor's car had this happen—the light came on while driving on the highway, scaring him into pulling over immediately to check the brake fluid, which was dangerously low. Adding some standard DOT 4 brake fluid provided temporary relief, but he needs to visit a repair shop soon to locate the leak, as this warning light indicates reduced braking performance and longer stopping distances, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. I recommend all drivers keep a bottle of brake fluid in their car. If the dashboard light illuminates, stop right away and check the transparent reservoir on the left side of the engine bay—it should be at least half full. Never ignore it and keep driving. During regular maintenance, prioritize brake component inspections and replace the brake fluid annually to prevent degradation.
