What does a red exclamation mark on the dashboard mean?
2 Answers
Red exclamation mark (specifically a circle with an exclamation mark inside parentheses), this represents a warning for the braking system, mainly indicating a brake system failure 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 the 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 fault in the car's general performance, components, or functions. Main issues include parking sensor failure, fuel cutoff system intervention or malfunction, external light failure, engine oil pressure sensor failure, 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 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 tire pressure and restore it to the normal range. Lighting Fault: A yellow bulb with an exclamation mark. This is the lighting fault indicator, indicating a fault in the car's lights. Solution: Visit a 4S shop for inspection and repair as soon as possible, or conduct a self-inspection, focusing on commonly used bulbs such as turn signals, fog lights, and interior lights to identify the issue.
When that red exclamation mark lights up, don't ignore it—it means there's a major issue waiting to be addressed. I've encountered it a few times, usually indicating low brake system pressure, such as insufficient brake fluid, or an oil pressure warning, or the handbrake not being fully released. That time it lit up on the highway, it nearly caused an accident. I immediately pulled over to check and found a brake fluid leak. My advice is, as soon as you see this, slow down and pull over. Don't keep driving, or it could easily lead to an accident. Safety first, after all. Think about it—the dashboard's red light is a warning, just like a high fever in the human body, requiring urgent attention. Afterward, I often take the car to the dealership for maintenance and pick up some knowledge along the way. Regularly checking brake fluid and engine oil can save a lot of hassle.
