What does the exclamation mark in the middle of a sun symbol indicate as a warning light?
4 Answers
A sun symbol with an exclamation mark in the middle indicates a damaged car bulb. Below are specific details about car bulb damage: 1. Meaning: The left side features an icon resembling a steering wheel, and the right side has an exclamation mark, with the entire icon in red. This is the steering system warning light, indicating an issue with the steering system. A triangle with an exclamation mark inside is a general problem indicator light. This light signifies that certain components of the car have issues, such as overheating of the dry dual-clutch transmission clutch, parking sensor problems, engine oil pressure sensor issues, external light problems, etc. The entire symbol is yellow, shaped like an irregular arc unsealed at the top with four small protrusions at the bottom and an exclamation mark in the middle. This is the tire pressure monitoring indicator, also known as the tire pressure warning light, indicating abnormal tire pressure. 2. Cause: The bulb failure warning light illuminates when a bulb in the car is damaged, alerting the owner to inspect all the car's lights immediately. In most cases, replacing the faulty bulb will automatically turn off the bulb failure warning light. Common car bulbs include: turn signals, brake lights, license plate lights, marker lights, front and rear fog lights, reverse lights, high beam headlights, and low beam headlights.
I've been running an auto repair shop for over a decade, and every day I encounter panicked car owners asking about that warning light with a sun and exclamation mark on the dashboard. Let me tell you, that's the brake system malfunction warning light, and nine times out of ten it's due to insufficient brake fluid. There was this one time when Master Li's Touareg had this light on but he kept driving anyway, and the brake fluid completely leaked out—he almost rear-ended someone. My advice is, if you see this light, pull over immediately and first check the brake fluid reservoir level under the hood. If it's below the minimum mark, do not move the car. It could also mean the brake pads are worn out or a sensor is faulty, which requires a diagnostic tool to read the trouble codes. Don't hesitate to call a tow truck—replacing brake pads only costs a few hundred bucks, which is way cheaper than dealing with an accident.
Last month, I just experienced this - while driving on the highway, I suddenly noticed a yellow circle with an exclamation mark light up on the dashboard. Immediately checking with my phone, I learned it was the brake warning light, which made my palms sweat with fear. Calling the 4S store, they said it could either be low brake fluid or that the brake pads needed replacement. I drove slowly to the service area for inspection, and indeed, the front brake pads were only 2mm thick. Now I've developed a habit of asking the car wash guys to check the brake pad thickness every time I wash my car. A reminder to all fellow drivers: when this light comes on, the braking distance might increase, especially making it particularly dangerous in rainy weather. Changing brake pads is actually quite simple, and a roadside shop can get it done in half an hour.
The veteran drivers in our fleet call this sun-exclamation light the 'life-saving light.' It illuminates when there's an issue with the braking system, most commonly due to low brake fluid level. Last week, one of our fleet vehicles kept driving long-distance with this light on, resulting in brake fluid boiling and brake failure. My advice is: if you see this light, don't turn off the engine immediately—first, get out and check the brake pedal firmness. If it feels spongy, it's likely due to fluid leakage or air in the system. Immediately turn on the hazard lights, slow down, and pull over safely, then call for assistance—that's the safest approach. During routine maintenance, remember to ask the mechanic to test the brake fluid's water content. If it exceeds 3%, it's time for a replacement.
