What Does the Exclamation Mark in a Vehicle Mean?
2 Answers
Here are introductions to different yellow exclamation marks on the car dashboard: 1. Tire Pressure Monitoring Indicator: When this light is on, it indicates that the tire pressure of a certain tire is abnormal. You should stop the car as soon as possible to check if there is any abnormality in the tires. If there is an abnormality, do not continue driving. If no abnormality is visible, you must still go to a car repair shop for inspection as soon as possible. 2. General Fault Indicator: This light being on can be related to many reasons, such as poor contact or malfunction of external lights (position lights, tail lights, turn signals, rear fog lights, license plate lights, etc.), damage to the wiring harness in the trunk, traction control system warning or malfunction, parking sensor malfunction, etc. Among these, the most common issues are brake light and license plate light damage. 3. Automatic Transmission Fault Warning Light: When this light is on, it indicates that there is a fault in the transmission or the transmission lubricant is below the normal range, or the lubricant needs to be replaced.
I've been driving for over ten years, and when that exclamation mark light comes on the dashboard, I don't panic at all because it's most likely due to insufficient tire pressure. This warning is triggered by the tire pressure monitoring system. You should quickly find a safe place to pull over and check all four tires. Feel them with your hands or visually inspect which one looks flat—if it's soft and sagging, it's probably leaking air. Don't push on driving; too low pressure can damage the tire structure, increase fuel consumption, and pose greater risks on highways. The fix is simple: if you have a tire pressure gauge, measure and inflate to the standard value listed on the door frame label; if not, just drive to a gas station to pump air. Once the light goes off, you're good. If it stays on or keeps coming back, it might be a sensor issue, and it's best to get it thoroughly checked at a 4S shop. Make it a habit to check tire pressure every two weeks, especially during summer heat or winter freezing, to save yourself a lot of hassle.
