What is the SVS indicator light?
2 Answers
SVS refers to the engine fault indicator light. It is normal for the light to illuminate when the vehicle's ignition key is turned on and then turn off after the vehicle starts. If the light comes on while driving, it indicates a fault in the vehicle's engine. The SVS light is a standard indicator in the automotive industry, responsible for warning of abnormalities in the powertrain system and prompting users to take the vehicle to a service center for inspection. The alert originates from the engine, transmission, or gear shift control mechanism. All fuel-injected vehicles have an SVS fault indicator light—for manual transmissions, it serves as the engine fault indicator, while for automatic transmissions, it indicates both engine and automatic transmission faults. When the SVS light is on, the first step is to check if other vehicle systems show abnormalities, such as the coolant temperature gauge or oil pressure warning light. If only the SVS light is on and the engine can still start, drive cautiously, control your speed, and promptly take the vehicle to a repair shop for inspection.
I've been driving for over a decade and am familiar with common dashboard warning lights. The SVS light stands for 'Service Vehicle Soon', known in Chinese as the immediate maintenance indicator. When this light comes on, it's basically your vehicle crying for help, usually indicating issues with core components like the engine or transmission. It could be a faulty sensor, abnormal oil pressure, or problems with the exhaust system. Last time my friend's car had the SVS light on, the diagnosis revealed severe carbon buildup in the throttle body. If you encounter this situation, never push your luck – immediately reduce speed and pull over. I recommend contacting a repair shop directly; using an OBD scanner to read trouble codes is the most accurate method, as simply observing the indicator light color can't precisely identify the problem.
