What to Do When the Car Warning Light Comes On?
3 Answers
When the car warning light comes on, you need to go to a 4S shop or a professional repair facility to read the fault code and check the specific cause and location of the fault. Car warning lights are divided into: 1. Engine malfunction indicator light: used to display the working condition of the vehicle engine; 2. Oil indicator light: used to show the oil pressure during engine operation; 3. Water temperature indicator light: used to show the circulating temperature of the coolant in the vehicle engine; 4. ABS indicator light: used to display the operating status of the anti-lock braking system; 5. Airbag indicator light: used to show the operating status of the airbag; 6. Fuel indicator light: used to remind the vehicle driver to refuel the vehicle in time.
When I encounter a warning light on the road, the first thing I do is find a safe place to pull over. I check the dashboard to see which light is on—if it's yellow, I can still drive slowly to a repair shop, but if it's red, I must turn off the engine immediately and call a tow truck. I refer to the vehicle manual to match the warning light icon—sometimes it's just a minor issue like a loose fuel cap. If I don’t understand the problem, I avoid tampering with parts under the hood and instead call the dealership to describe the situation, which is the most reliable approach. I usually keep an emergency contact card in the glove box, including insurance and repair shop details. Remember, never ignore a warning light and keep driving—last year, a friend of mine ended up spending over 8,000 yuan on a major engine repair because of this.
Don't panic when the warning light comes on, I have my own troubleshooting routine. First, assess the vehicle's condition - is the engine shaking, is the coolant temperature high, are the brakes responsive. Stop the engine for five minutes and restart, sometimes it's just the computer glitching. Try cleaning corrosion off battery terminals or checking the dipstick - these simple DIY fixes are often overlooked. Before long trips, I always plug in an OBD scanner to read trouble codes - this $20 tool can prevent roadside breakdowns. Once had a fuel tank sensor warning that turned out to be just a stuck float. Without professional tools, take dashboard photos to show mechanics for more accurate diagnosis.
