What does a yellow exclamation mark in a car mean?
2 Answers
A yellow exclamation mark in a car indicates a brake system fault, usually appearing when the handbrake is not released. In most cases, it will disappear after releasing the handbrake. If it does not disappear, it is necessary to go to a 4S shop for inspection and repair. The exclamation mark indicators that may appear on the car dashboard include: 1. A triangle with an exclamation mark in the middle is a general fault indicator; 2. A circle with an exclamation mark in the middle is a brake system warning light; 3. A horizontal line with an exclamation mark below is a tire pressure monitoring warning light; 4. A bulb with an exclamation mark in the middle is a lighting fault indicator; 5. A fan with an exclamation mark in the middle is a windshield wiper fault indicator; 6. A gear with an exclamation mark in the middle is a transmission fault indicator.
Last time I drove a long distance home, the yellow exclamation mark suddenly lit up on the dashboard, and my heart skipped a beat. I knew it was the tire pressure monitoring system warning. As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've seen this thing several times, usually indicating low tire pressure. Once on the highway when it lit up, I immediately pulled over at a service area and used my portable tire pressure gauge to check. The right front tire was only at 25 psi (normal is 35), so I quickly inflated it to solve the problem. Ignoring it can lead to overheating, uneven tire wear, or even dangerous blowouts at high speeds. My advice: develop the habit of visually inspecting your tires before driving. Be aware that tire pressure naturally drops in cold weather. Keep a cheap tire pressure gauge in your car. If the light comes on, safely pull over and check the pressure first. Recommended values are written on the door label. If it's not a tire pressure issue, it might be a sensor malfunction, in which case you should visit a professional shop to scan for fault codes. Remember, the yellow exclamation mark is no joke. Address it promptly to ensure safety and avoid turning small issues into major repairs.