What does the yellow exclamation mark on the Volkswagen Bora dashboard mean?
3 Answers
There are four possible scenarios when a yellow exclamation mark appears on the car dashboard: general malfunction, automatic transmission failure, abnormal tire pressure, and lighting system failure. Below is a detailed analysis of these four situations: General Malfunction: An exclamation mark inside a triangle indicates a general performance or component malfunction if this symbol lights up. Common issues include parking sensor failure, fuel cutoff system intervention or malfunction, external light failure, or engine oil pressure sensor malfunction. It is necessary to visit a 4S shop for inspection to identify the source of the problem. Automatic Transmission Failure: A yellow gear with an exclamation mark inside is the automatic transmission failure warning light, indicating a transmission malfunction or transmission fluid level below the normal range. Transmission fluid should be replaced promptly. Abnormal Tire Pressure: An exclamation mark in the middle of a horizontal line under a parenthesis represents the tire pressure monitoring warning light. This light will illuminate when the tire pressure is too low. Check the tire pressure and restore it to the normal range. Lighting System Failure: A yellow bulb with an exclamation mark is the lighting failure indicator, signaling a malfunction in the vehicle's lighting system. Solution: Visit a 4S shop for inspection as soon as possible, or conduct a self-check focusing on commonly used bulbs such as turn signals, fog lights, and interior lighting to identify the issue. There is also a red exclamation mark inside a circle with parentheses, which represents a warning for the braking system, mainly indicating brake system failure or low brake fluid level. Immediate inspection of the braking system is required to avoid accidents.
When I suddenly saw a yellow triangle exclamation mark pop up on the dashboard while driving in the morning, my heart skipped a beat. On Volkswagen cars, this symbol usually indicates a tire pressure issue, possibly from a nail puncture in one of the tires. But don’t take it lightly—it could also signal a lighting fault or a brake system warning. Last time I was at the repair shop, a technician mentioned that in some model years of the Bora, this warning can even indicate low windshield washer fluid. The safest approach is to immediately find a safe spot to pull over, visually check the tires for obvious deflation, and then drive slowly to a nearby repair shop for professional diagnostics. Never push through on the highway—safety first, bro.
The yellow exclamation mark is 90% likely a tire pressure warning, but manual inspection is needed for confirmation. Having driven for 15 years, I've seen this situation countless times—it's often caused by sudden cold weather leading to pressure drop. Remember to first turn off the tire pressure alert button on the dashboard and keep speed below 60 km/h on the way to the repair shop. Also, note that insufficient spare tire pressure can trigger the alarm. If the tires look normal, try inflating them to 2.5 bar at a gas station; often the warning clears after driving a few hundred meters. If it persists, check for slow leaks.
