What does the yellow exclamation mark in Avalon mean?
2 Answers
When a yellow exclamation mark appears on the car dashboard, there are four possible scenarios: general fault, automatic transmission fault, abnormal tire pressure, and lighting fault. Below is a detailed analysis of these four situations: General Fault: An exclamation mark inside a triangle indicates a malfunction in the car's general performance or components and functions. Common issues include parking sensor failure, fuel cut-off system intervention or malfunction, external light failure, or engine oil pressure sensor failure. It is necessary to visit a 4S shop for inspection to identify the source of the fault. Automatic Transmission Fault: A yellow gear with an exclamation mark inside is the automatic transmission fault warning light, indicating a transmission malfunction or transmission lubricant level below the normal range. The transmission fluid should be replaced promptly. Abnormal Tire Pressure: An exclamation mark in the middle of a horizontal line under a bracket represents the tire pressure monitoring warning light. This light turns on when the tire pressure is too low. Check the tire pressure and restore it to the normal range. Lighting Fault: A yellow bulb with an exclamation mark is the lighting fault indicator, signaling a malfunction in the car's lights. Solution: Visit a 4S shop for inspection as soon as possible, or check yourself, focusing on commonly used bulbs such as turn signals, fog lights, and interior lights to identify the issue. There is also a red exclamation mark inside a circled bracket, which represents a warning for the braking system, primarily indicating a braking system malfunction or low brake fluid level. Immediate inspection of the braking system is required to avoid accidents.
I also encountered that yellow exclamation mark on the dashboard when I first started driving, which suddenly lit up while driving the Avalon. Usually, this indicates that a certain system in the vehicle is alerting, most commonly the tire pressure monitoring system—indicating insufficient tire pressure. Think about it, if you haven't been paying attention to your tires, they might have been punctured by a nail or are naturally leaking air. Another possibility is an issue with the braking system, such as the ABS warning light coming on. That time, I found the tire pressure was low and immediately went to a gas station to check—sure enough, one tire was significantly low on air. After inflating, the light went off. If the tires seem fine but the light remains on, it's advisable to drive to a repair shop to read the fault codes with a computer to prevent minor issues from turning into major problems. Remember not to ignore it—low tire pressure at high speeds can easily lead to a blowout. Safety first!
