What does the warning light with an exclamation mark in a circle indicate?

[VanEva]

An exclamation mark in a red circle (specifically, an exclamation mark inside a bracketed circle) indicates a warning related to the braking system, primarily signaling either a brake system malfunction or low brake fluid levels. Solution: Immediate inspection and repair of the braking system are required to prevent accidents. Apart from the red exclamation mark indicating brake system issues, all other exclamation marks on a car's dashboard are yellow, representing general faults, automatic transmission issues, abnormal tire pressure, and lighting system faults. Below is a detailed analysis of these four scenarios: General Fault: An exclamation mark inside a triangle indicates a general performance or component malfunction. Common issues include parking sensor failure, fuel cutoff system intervention or malfunction, external lighting failure, or engine oil pressure sensor malfunction. A visit to a 4S shop is necessary to diagnose and address the fault. Automatic Transmission Fault: An exclamation mark inside a yellow gear signifies an automatic transmission fault warning, indicating either a transmission malfunction or low transmission fluid levels. Timely replacement of transmission fluid is required. Abnormal Tire Pressure: An exclamation mark below a horizontal line inside a bracket represents the tire pressure monitoring warning light. It illuminates when the tire pressure is too low. Check and restore the tire pressure to the normal range. Lighting Fault: A yellow bulb with an exclamation mark indicates a lighting system fault. Solution: Visit a 4S shop for inspection and repair as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can perform a self-check, focusing on commonly used bulbs such as turn signals, fog lights, and interior lights to identify the issue.

[DelMalia]

I saw this light last time I drove too! A circle with an exclamation mark is most likely the handbrake warning light. It's normal for the light to come on when the handbrake is engaged, but if it stays on after releasing the handbrake, that's trouble. Common causes could be worn brake pads needing replacement, or the brake fluid level in the reservoir being too low - brake fluid tends to evaporate during long summer drives. Just last week, a friend's Hyundai had this light on and got it checked - turned out to be poor contact in the handbrake sensor. If this warning light isn't addressed, it can seriously increase braking distance, especially dangerous in rainy conditions. Don't push your luck - get your braking system checked at a repair shop as soon as possible for peace of mind.

[ValerieAnn]

This warning light should never be ignored! I've seen many drivers mistake it for a minor issue and continue driving, only to nearly cause accidents. It primarily monitors the braking system—triggered by issues like excessively worn brake pads, insufficient brake fluid, or faulty electronic parking brake wiring. The most serious scenario is brake fluid leakage; if it all leaks out, the brakes will fail. If this dashboard light comes on while the parking brake is engaged, there will be an alert sound. However, if there's no alert sound and the light remains on after releasing the parking brake, you must stop the vehicle immediately. Special note: Vehicles with modified brake calipers are more prone to this light illuminating, as caliper misalignment can cause sensor false alarms.

[McRobert]

As a female driver who frequently takes long-distance trips, I'm all too familiar with this warning light. In addition to the brake issues everyone mentioned, some car models may also display an exclamation mark inside the circle when tire pressure is abnormal (check the manual to confirm). However, in most cases, it is indeed the brake system warning. Last week, my car's light came on, which gave me quite a scare. At the repair shop, they discovered that my dog had been kicking around in the back seat and loosened the wiring under the handbrake button. The mechanic said that if a car is parked in a damp place for too long, the sensor connector under the brake pedal can oxidize. A simple fix will do, but if it's a hydraulic system alarm, don't skimp—spend four or five hundred to replace the brake pads for peace of mind.