What does the exclamation mark inside a circle on the fuel gauge indicate?
4 Answers
The exclamation mark inside a circle on the fuel gauge indicates a lack of coolant. Precautions for adding coolant: 1. Water quality requirements: Water can be divided into hard water and soft water based on whether it contains dissolved minerals. Hard water contains ions such as iron, calcium, and magnesium. Untreated well water or spring water is considered hard water. If this type of hard water is added to the engine, it will produce compounds like calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate after being heated and evaporated by the engine, which will precipitate and form scale. Scale, on one hand, is a poor conductor of heat, and on the other hand, when it accumulates to a certain extent, it can narrow the pipes, reducing water flow and affecting engine cooling, leading to engine overheating. 2. Timely replacement: After adding long-life coolant to the engine, the radiator cap should be opened for inspection after a period of operation. When the radiator shows signs of water stains, rust, or sediment, the coolant should be replaced promptly.
I saw my friend panic when this circle exclamation mark popped up on his car. Actually, this yellow circled exclamation mark on the dashboard is the brake system warning light, most commonly caused by the parking brake not being fully released. Like yesterday, my friend didn’t notice and drove two blocks before realizing the parking brake was stuck in the second position and not fully disengaged. If this light appears while driving, first pull over to a safe spot and check if the parking brake lever is still engaged. If the parking brake is fine, it’s likely due to low brake fluid—pop the hood and locate the transparent reservoir labeled ‘DOT4.’ If the fluid level is below the minimum mark, top it up promptly. If a red light comes on or is accompanied by a ‘beeping’ alarm, contact a repair shop immediately—brake issues can’t wait.
Last time my daughter encountered this situation while driving, she was too scared to continue. That yellow circle with an exclamation mark on the dashboard is basically the brake system warning light. For us ladies, handling this is actually quite simple: first pull over and turn off the engine, then restart and slowly release the handbrake while pressing the brake pedal. If the warning light remains on, open the hood and look for the white reservoir with yellow cap - that's the brake fluid tank. Be sure to use dedicated brake fluid when topping up; pouring in household cooking oil would be disastrous. Regular monthly fluid level checks can prevent sudden emergencies. If this happens to a car over five years old, the brake fluid has likely deteriorated and needs replacement.
This yellow circle with an exclamation mark is the brake warning light. Having driven for twenty years, I've seen countless similar cases, 80% of which were due to the handbrake not being fully released. Like my old car, when the brake pedal travel increased, I often had to press the brake pedal to fully reset it after releasing the handbrake. Also, a reminder to everyone: brake fluid is hygroscopic, and when the water content exceeds 3%, it triggers the sensor. Last time my car's light stayed on, a test pen showed the water content was over 4.5%, and replacing the fluid immediately solved the issue. During maintenance, make sure the mechanic checks the brake pad thickness. Thin pads pushing the piston can cause a false high-level alarm due to decreased fluid level. This warning light most commonly appears after long downhill drives in mountainous areas.
