Jan 3, 2024
Service Engine Soon

Dashboard Lights & Their Importance in Vehicle Maintenance

Dashboard lights are the key to making sure you are always on top of the overall health of your vehicle in mid-Michigan. When your vehicle detects an issue somewhere, it will display a light with a special icon signifying the component of your automobile that is currently having a problem that should be addressed. Knowing what different dashboard lights mean will make sure you are getting your vehicle appropriately maintained. The Thelen Auto Group series of Service Centers in Bay City, MI, want to be your go-to destination for remedying the issues that pop up when those lights appear. If you have any strange icons appear on your dashboard, let our team of technicians help you get those lights taken care of quickly so that you can get back on the road with confidence. 

What Do Different Dashboard Lights Mean When They Appear?

Engine Icon / Check Engine Light – While fairly self-explanatory, these lights can be an indicator of a wide array of issues. If these pop up on your dashboard, your vehicle could be experiencing anything ranging from a minor engine repair to something more severe. Regardless of the exact cause, our team wants to make sure you contact us immediately if this appears so that you can have the problem properly diagnosed and fixed. 

Oil CanĀ – A picture of an oil can with a drop of oil coming out of its spout is often a result of low oil pressure being detected. While this is usually a result of low oil levels, this could also be caused by a leak somewhere in the oil system that is causing the low oil levels. This is especially true if the light appears sooner than usual after an oil change. Either way, schedule an appointment to let our knowledgeable team establish the cause of this indicator.

Battery – Another light that can mean multiple issues, a picture of a generic battery that appears on your dashboard could be something as simple as it getting weak and needing a replacement. However, it could also be an indicator that your vehicle’s alternator is not working and is failing to keep the battery charged. As such, we recommend making an appointment as quickly as possible if this light appears so that our team can determine the exact cause of the notification. 

(Photo Credit: iStock)