What to Do When the Car Maintenance Warning Light Comes On?
2 Answers
When the car maintenance warning light comes on, it indicates that there may be a fault with the vehicle, requiring inspection and repair. Check whether the water temperature and oil pressure are normal, and look for any oil or water leaks, unstable idling, abnormal acceleration, or unusual noises. If a fault is detected, stop the vehicle promptly. If no abnormalities are found, proceed to the nearest repair shop for inspection. Introduction to vehicle maintenance warning lights: 1. Tire Pressure Warning Light: Indicates abnormal tire pressure, requiring immediate tire inspection; 2. Water Temperature Indicator Light: Typically stays on when the car is first started, especially in winter. It features a blue thermometer icon and lights up if the water temperature is too high or too low. If the water temperature is too high, stop the vehicle immediately and wait for it to normalize before heading to the nearest 4S shop or auto repair shop for inspection; 3. Oil Pressure Warning Light: Lights up when oil pressure is abnormal. The oil pressure warning light illuminates when the vehicle starts. If the oil pressure is normal, it will turn off shortly after. However, if the oil pressure remains abnormal, the light will stay on.
See that little yellow or red light on the dashboard lit up? Don't panic! Last week my car did the same thing, so I quickly found a safe spot to pull over and turn off the engine. I checked the owner's manual and first inspected whether the oil dipstick was in the correct position, if the coolant level was above the minimum mark, and if the tire pressure was sufficient. If all these seem fine, it's probably just a sensor false alarm or a loose electrical connection. In my case, I got careless while washing the car and sprayed water into the engine bay, causing a short circuit at some connector due to moisture. However, if the red light comes on accompanied by strange noises, call a tow truck immediately—last month my neighbor's BMW had an oil pump failure but kept driving, resulting in a completely ruined engine. When in doubt, use your phone to take a picture of the warning light symbol and drive to the nearest repair shop to read the trouble codes—that's the most reliable approach.
