What does the exclamation mark in brackets warning light mean?
2 Answers
Red exclamation mark (specifically a circle with an exclamation mark inside brackets), this represents a warning for the braking system, mainly indicating a brake system malfunction 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 brake system issues, 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 situations: General Fault: A triangle with an exclamation mark inside. If this symbol lights up, it indicates a general performance or component and function fault in the car. Main issues include parking sensor faults, fuel cut-off system intervention or malfunction, external light faults, engine oil pressure sensor faults, 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 level below the normal range. Transmission oil should be replaced promptly. Abnormal Tire Pressure: A horizontal line under brackets 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 car's tire pressure and restore it to the normal range. Lighting Fault: A yellow bulb with an exclamation mark. This is the lighting fault indicator, signaling a fault in one of 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, interior lighting, etc., to identify the problem.
Last time I was helping my neighbor check his car, he asked about this. I told him that was the brake warning light, shaped like an exclamation mark in parentheses, indicating the handbrake might not be fully released or the brake fluid level could be low. If the light stays on after starting the engine, immediate inspection is required: first, get out of the car to ensure the handbrake is completely down, then restart the engine to see if the light goes off. If it remains on, open the hood to check if the brake fluid reservoir level is between the minimum and maximum marks. If it's below the minimum, buy the same type of brake fluid to top it up, and never mix different types. I've noticed many people ignore this light, leading to brake failure, which is really dangerous. I recommend keeping a simple repair toolkit handy and learning some basic checks to save money and ensure peace of mind. Safety first—if the light is on, don't push your luck; get it fixed at a professional shop when needed.
