What Does an Exclamation Mark in a Car Mean?

1 Answers
McJosie
07/25/25 12:24pm
When an exclamation mark appears on the car dashboard, there are five possible scenarios: general malfunction, automatic transmission failure, brake system failure, abnormal tire pressure, and lighting system failure. Below is a detailed analysis of these five situations: General Malfunction: An exclamation mark inside a triangle indicates a general performance or component malfunction. Common issues include parking sensor failure, fuel cutoff system intervention or malfunction, external light failure, or engine oil pressure sensor failure. It is necessary to visit a 4S shop for inspection to identify the source of the problem. Automatic Transmission Failure: A yellow gear with an exclamation mark is the automatic transmission warning light, indicating a transmission fault or low transmission fluid level. The transmission fluid should be replaced promptly. Brake System Failure: An exclamation mark inside a circled parenthesis represents a brake system warning, typically signaling brake system malfunction or low brake fluid level. Immediate inspection of the brake system is required to avoid accidents. Abnormal Tire Pressure: An exclamation mark with a horizontal line below a parenthesis is the tire pressure monitoring warning light. It illuminates when the tire pressure is too low. Check the tire pressure and restore it to the normal range. Lighting System Failure: A yellow bulb with an exclamation mark is the lighting failure indicator, signaling a malfunction in the car's lighting system. Solution: Visit a 4S shop for inspection as soon as possible, or conduct a self-check focusing on commonly used bulbs such as turn signals, fog lights, and interior lights to locate the issue.
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