What does the yellow circle on the dashboard indicate?
2 Answers
A yellow circle with an exclamation mark on the car dashboard is the brake warning light. If the brake warning light appears red, it indicates one of the following conditions in the braking system: 1. Severe wear of the brake pads; 2. Brake fluid level is too low; 3. The parking brake is engaged (parking brake switch closed); 4. If the red brake warning light is on and the ABS warning light is also illuminated, the ABS cannot function properly when there is a fault in the conventional braking system. Conventional car instruments include the speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, fuel gauge, and charging gauge. Beneath the dashboard cover, there are various indicator or warning lights.
I've been in auto repair for over a decade, and that yellow circle on the dashboard is most commonly the check engine light. The most frequent causes include emission system issues like a faulty oxygen sensor or clogged catalytic converter, sensor failures such as a dirty or broken mass airflow sensor or camshaft position sensor, mechanical problems like worn spark plugs causing poor ignition, low or insufficient oil pressure, or electrical wiring shorts with poor connections. When you see it light up, don't take it lightly—first check if the oil level and coolant are sufficient; if oil is low, top it up immediately. If you're inexperienced, don't try to fix it yourself; it's best to drive to a professional shop to read the error codes with a diagnostic tool. Don't be like some car owners who delay until minor issues turn into major repairs that cost a fortune. Regular maintenance, like changing filters and oil on schedule, can prevent problems. In short, safety comes first—don't let small issues escalate into serious failures.
