What Does The Light On My Dashboard Mean?

When you’re on the highway and a light starts flashing from your vehicle’s dashboard, it’s easy to worry that it’s something serious. Fortunately, your vehicle can communicate with you about a range of mechanical issues using the symbols and colors of your dashboard warning lights as shorthand. You don’t have to wait until a dash light goes on and then scramble for an answer to the question, what does the light on my dashboard mean? All you need to do is learn the meaning of each symbol — so next time, you’ll know exactly what your car is trying to tell you.

Dashboard Lights and What They Mean

You may already be familiar with the symbols for check engine, battery charge, oil pressure warning, and tire pressure. If you’re still wondering, “What does the light on my dashboard mean?,” study your user’s manual so you know which dashboard warning lights need to be dealt with immediately. Here, we’ve listed a few key symbols and their meanings:

• Safety Alerts and Routine Reminders
  • Washer Fluid Reminder — This light simply means that the windshield washer fluid is low and it’s time for a refill.
  • Fog Lamp — This light ensures you won’t forget to turn your brights back off after using them to navigate dark stretches of road outside Cranston.
  • Security Alert — This is the “door ajar” light. It also comes on if your ignition switch is locked, indicating a tech malfunction.
  • Airbag Fault — This light warns you that there’s a fault in the airbag system, meaning the airbags won’t deploy correctly in the event of a collision. You’ll want to get this checked out ASAP at a trusted Mercedes-Benz service center near Providence.

• Engine Issues
  • Service Vehicle — An issue in your vehicle’s electrical system can cause this light to come on. That means there could be a problem with the battery, starter or alternator — so it’s definitely something you’ll want to diagnose properly at a service center.
  • Coolant Temp Warning — Abnormal coolant temperature can be caused by low coolant levels, malfunctioning fan, or a coolant leak.
  • Reduced Power Warning — This light indicates that a part in your engine could be malfunctioning and causing reduced power output. Have your engine as inspected as soon as possible to be sure you stay safe. If you’re a Mercedes-Benz driver near East Greenwich, genuine OEM parts are available at the Mercedes-Benz of Warwick parts department.

• Brake Issues
  • Traction Control or ESP® — This light tells you that your Mercedes-Benz vehicle’s electronic stability system has engaged on an unstable section of Cranston roadway.
  • Brake System — This light can indicate several different problems with the brake system, from low brake fluid, an ABS issue, or a problem with the brakes themselves.

If you have more Mercedes-Benz car-care questions, we go over a range of maintenance topics for your GLE or C-Class on the Mercedes-Benz of Warwick service tips page.

Don’t forget: the most important part of caring for your Mercedes-Benz is getting all of your required services on schedule. With regular visits for Mercedes-Benz Service A* and Mercedes-Benz Service B*, you’ll never have to worry about the most serious dashboard warning lights.

Explore More Mercedes-Benz Safety Features with Mercedes-Benz of Warwick

If you have questions about Mercedes-Benz safety technology, reach out to our team of expert technicians at Mercedes-Benz of Warwick. We’re also happy to provide Mercedes-Benz maintenance tips, from extending the life of your tires, changing your spark plugs, to replacing your Mercedes-Benz key fob battery.

Schedule service so we can get your car in top shape today! Now that you know what the lights on your dash indicate, you can learn how to reset your check engine light and more when you visit us.