What does an exclamation mark inside a bracket indicate as a fault?
2 Answers
Red exclamation mark (specifically in the form of an exclamation mark inside a circled bracket) represents a warning for the braking system, mainly indicating a fault in the braking system 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 braking 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 scenarios: General Fault: An exclamation mark inside a triangle indicates a fault in the car's general performance, components, or functions. This could include parking sensor failure, fuel cutoff system intervention or failure, 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: An exclamation mark inside a yellow gear is the automatic transmission fault warning light, indicating a fault in the transmission or transmission lubricant level below the normal range. Transmission fluid should be replaced promptly. Abnormal Tire Pressure: An exclamation mark below a horizontal line inside a bracket represents the tire pressure monitoring warning light. This light turns on when the 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 is the lighting fault indicator, signaling a fault in the car's lights. Solution: Visit a 4S shop for inspection and repair as soon as possible, or conduct a self-check focusing on commonly used bulbs such as turn signals, fog lights, and interior lights to identify the issue.
A few days ago while driving, I suddenly noticed the light on the dashboard that looks like an exclamation mark inside parentheses came on, and I immediately knew it was the engine malfunction indicator light. When this light comes on, it means the vehicle's computer has detected an issue, with common causes including oxygen sensor failure, fuel system air leaks, or even spark plug problems—the range is quite broad. I remember last time this happened, it was due to a dirty air filter causing restricted airflow, which triggered a false trouble code; replacing the filter fixed it. If you see this light, don’t panic—first check if the fuel cap is loose and tighten it. If the light remains on, take the car to a professional repair shop as soon as possible to scan for trouble codes with an OBD scanner. This will help pinpoint the exact issue and prevent minor problems from escalating. Driving safety comes first; ignoring it could lead to engine damage or a sharp increase in fuel consumption, which isn’t worth the risk.
