Warning Light Woes: What do They Mean?

In previous years, if you wanted to know what was wrong with your vehicle, you'd have to either look under the bonnet yourself or have a mechanic look for you. Your only warning that something might be wrong was a sound, an odour, or a difference in the way the car drove or felt during driving. Today, things are a little different. Modern cars are filled with sensors and electronics that not only monitor how your car behaves, but tell you when something is going wrong with the help of dashboard warning lights.

Just because there are warning lights that help you understand something is wrong, doesn't mean you will actually understand what is going on, though, or what to do about it. While the system is in place to help you, you may not know what these lights mean. That can be unfortunate, because knowing what these lights are telling you can help to pre-empt a breakdown or failure of your vehicle. It can also save you from very expensive repairs to car parts and keep you safe while travelling.

What Those Warning Lights Mean

Let's say you're travelling down the road in your Land Rover and suddenly a warning light comes on. Do you know whether or not you need to pull over quickly, whether you can keep driving, or whether you need to call a professional mechanic right away? If not, here is some information you should have on a few of the most important lights.

ABS Warning Light- The anti-lock braking system works with your Land Rover's braking system to keep the wheels from locking up while you're driving. It also helps with brake assistance, electronic stability control, and traction control. When you first turn on the ignition, this light will illuminate for a brief moment to show you that the system is functioning correctly. If the light comes on while you're driving, there may be an issue with it.

If you see the words “ABS Brake” illuminated on your dash, don't panic. Your regular brakes are still working properly, so the car is safe to drive. However, you should see your mechanic as quickly as possible to determine what the problem could be.

Brake System- This light is typically shown on the dash as a circle with an exclamation point in the middle. When you're using the parking brake, it will stay illuminated. If the parking brake is released and the light is still shining on your dash, it could mean that the brake fluid levels in your Land Rover are too lower. Take a look at the owner's manual to see what the fluid level should be. Keep in mind that brake fluid levels will drop over time as the brakes wear down. This is why it is so important to have your Land Rover serviced on a regular basis. Not only can these Land Rover parts be evaluated for wear, but fluid levels can be checked to see if they are abnormally low.

Brake fluid that is too low, accompanied by longer brake pedal travel, often means that a hydraulic brake circuit has failed. This is dangerous and means you should pull over immediately and call for professional help.

If the fluid is at the right level, but the light is still illuminated, it could mean that a sensor has failed. You can continue driving, but should see a mechanic as quickly as possible.

ABS and Brake System- If both the ABS and brake system warnings light up, reduce your speed gradually and move the car to a safe location. Step on the brakes carefully while doing this, avoiding any abrupt movement. You should not drive the car again until it has been evaluated by a professional.

Battery Charge- This warning light comes on when you turn the key in the ignition, but should normally disappear as soon as you start the engine. If it doesn't light up or lights up while you're driving, there could be a fault in the charging system causing the battery not to charge. This can be caused by:

• Slack starter terminals or batter

• A failure of the alternator

• Loose or broken alternator drive belt

If the fault is caused by a drive belt, it has to be replaced before you start the engine again. Many cooling systems rely on this belt, and the engine could overheat if it is not working properly. Get off the road as safely and quickly as possible, turn off the engine, and don't restart it until a professional has had a chance to look at it.

Oil- If the oil in your car becomes too hot, there's not enough pressure, or the oil level is too low, the oil warning light can illuminate on your dash. Because oil is what lubricates your engine, these problems can reduce the effectiveness of the lubrication. In some cases, it can stop the oil from lubricating the engine all together. The result of this problem is engine damage, which can be extremely expensive to repair. If you see this light on your dash, stop the Land Rover immediately and seek help.

Engine- This warning light is the most commonly seen, and perhaps the most confusing. Why? When this light is illuminated, it can indicate a number of various issues. It should light up when you turn the ignition, but disappear as soon as the engine starts. 

If the engine warning light comes on when the vehicle is running, there is most likely a problem with the car's engine management system. This should be evaluated as soon as possible, but is still safe to drive as long as there are no other signs that something is wrong with the engine. Getting to a mechanic as quickly as possible is important, though, to avoid damage to certain car parts, like the catalytic converter. 

If the warning light illuminates and flashes while you're driving, slow the vehicle down a bit until you see the light illuminated constantly. If it won't stop flashing, drive slowly to a safe location, avoiding high engine speeds and acceleration. Don't ignore this light. If possible, pull over and turn off the engine. Wait five minutes and then turn the engine on again. This may reset the engine maintenance system so you can drive safely.

Low Coolant- Coolant is an important part of keeping many Land Rover parts at the right temperature beneath the bonnet. While a low coolant warning light doesn't necessarily mean that the vehicle is overheating, it still needs to be checked by a mechanic as soon as possible. If this light comes on while you are driving, always pull over to a safe location as quickly as you can. Driving with an engine that is overheating can cause serious damage to it and other car parts.

Note: Do not attempt to check coolant levels while the engine is still hot. The coolant is under pressure and can burn you. Wait until the car is completely cold before removing the radiator cap.

Do you know what the warning lights on your dashboard mean? Protect yourself and your Land Rover's car parts by learning what these lights are and what to do when you see them.