What does the red exclamation mark in the middle of the car mean?
2 Answers
Red exclamation mark (specifically a circle with an exclamation mark inside parentheses), 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 a brake system fault, other exclamation marks on the 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. This mainly includes parking sensor faults, fuel cutoff system intervention or faults, external light faults, engine oil pressure sensor faults, etc. It is necessary to go to 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 parentheses 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 exclamation mark. This is the lighting fault indicator, indicating a fault with a car light. Solution: Go to a 4S shop for inspection and repair as soon as possible, or perform a self-check, focusing on commonly used bulbs such as turn signals, fog lights, and interior lighting, to identify the problem.
I've seen this situation several times. The red exclamation mark on the dashboard lighting up indicates a problem with the braking system. It could be due to insufficient brake fluid or more serious system malfunctions. I remember once ignoring it, and while driving, the brakes failed, nearly causing a rear-end collision. Now, every time I see it, I take immediate action. First, safely pull over, open the hood to check the brake fluid reservoir. If the fluid level is below the minimum mark, you need to top it up with DOT-standard brake fluid. But don't just add any fluid; poor-quality ones can corrode components. If the light remains on after topping up, or if you find the handbrake isn't fully released, try releasing it completely to see if that helps. If the problem persists, you must take it to a repair shop to check the sensors or hydraulic pump. Ignoring it can be very dangerous, especially when driving at night or in rainy conditions, which doubles the risk. Regularly checking the brake fluid monthly can prevent major issues.
