GM Dashboard Warning Lights Guide
You’ve probably experienced that sinking feeling in your stomach when you see a warning light unexpectedly appear on the dashboard of your car. If you’re not familiar with what these lights mean, you might find yourself starting to panic and worry about what the problem could be. Before you overreact or let a simple notification ruin your day, it’s a smart idea to familiarize yourself with a simple rule of thumb regarding warning lights. All your need to do is treat each color of the warning light just as you would a traffic light.
Germain Chevrolet GMC of Sidney has created this handy reference guide that will help you better understand some of the most common GM dashboard warning lights and what each usually means.
Green (or Blue) Icon – There’s no need to worry! These are simply informational messages that should not interfere with routine driving. You can typically continue to drive as you normally would.
Yellow (or Orange) Icon – Use some caution while driving. These alerts could warn you of a potential problem that should be dealt with as soon as it’s convenient to do so. In general, they won’t require you to stop driving immediately.
Red Icon – Stop driving as quickly as it’s safe to do so. Pull over and turn off your engine. Red warning lights are often signs of a serious problem and you should contact an authorized service facility for assistance.
What Do The Dashboard Warning Lights Mean on Your Car?
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Braking System FailureDon’t jeopardize your safety by continuing to drive with a serious issue with your brake system. Should you see this symbol appear while driving, we strongly recommend that you pull safely off the road and contact roadside assistance to tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized repair facility for inspection. |
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Emergency Brake EngagedYour parking/emergency brake is engaged. Driving with the emergency brake engaged can cause significant wear on this important safety component. Be sure it is disengaged. |
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Low Oil PressureMaure sure that your oil level is within the recommended threshold. It could also point to a problem with your oil pressure sensor. Low oil pressure can lead to major damage to internal engine components due to the loss of lubrication. When safe to do so, contact roadside assistance and have the vehicle towed to a service facility. |
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Charging SystemFault or failure within the charging system. Without electrical power, your vehicle will fail to start or run and leave you stuck on the side of the road. Find a safe area to pull over, park the vehicle, and call for roadside assistance as soon as possible. |
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Supplemental Restraint SystemYour airbags are an essential safety component. An SRS fault is an indication of a potential problem with your airbags, causing them to fail to deploy in the event of a collision. Do not drive your vehicle. Call for roadside assistance and have your vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection. |
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High Coolant TemperatureYour vehicle is overheating due to high temperatures. Engine coolant cannot exceed a certain temperature before it fails to protect your engine. Turn off the engine and pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so. |
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Seat Belt ReminderAlways wear your seat belt and ensure that your passengers are buckled up as well before you hit the road. Until your seat belt is fastened, this indicator light will remain on the dashboard. |
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Door AjarOne of the vehicle’s doors is open or not fully shut. |
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Trunk OpenYour trunk is open or not completely closed. |
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Adaptive Cruise ControlThe Adaptive Cruise Control system is active and working. Use the same caution as you would when driving without this feature. |
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All-Wheel DriveYour vehicle’s all-wheel drive system is active. Power is being sent to all four wheels. |
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Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)If there’s an issue within the ABS system, this warning light usually pops up next to the brake warning light. |
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Auto Idle StopAuto Idle Stop periodically shuts off your engine to boost fuel economy and reduce emissions. This light tells you that the system is engaged and working properly. |
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Blind Spot WarningA vehicle has entered your blind spot and the system has issued a notification. Use extra caution when making a lane change or merging. |
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Check Engine LightAlthough this light may indicate a wide variety of potential problems, it appears when the onboard diagnostics system has found a problem with your vehicle’s emissions, ignition, fuel, or exhaust systems. It’s a good idea to be proactive and bring your vehicle in for service before the problem worsens. |
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Collision Mitigation Braking SystemYour CMBS has engaged and reacted to a potential collision. |
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Daytime Running LightsThis typically indicates that one of your DRL bulbs has malfunctioned or is burnt out and needs to be replaced. |
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Electric Power SteeringThere’s a problem with your power steering system. Be sure to have a qualified technician inspect your vehicle soon. |
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Lane Keeping Assist SystemYour LKAS system is active, detected that your vehicle has started to drift out of its intended lane position, and took corrective action. Use extra caution. |
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Low FuelYour vehicle is running low on fuel. Stop and refuel as soon as possible to avoid finding yourself stranded on the side of the road. |
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Maintenance ReminderThis is a useful notification that your vehicle is due for scheduled routine maintenance. It’s time to schedule a service appointment with your GM dealership. |
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Road Departure MitigationThe RDM system had detected that your vehicle has left the road surface and took corrective action. Use caution. |
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Smart Entry SystemThis is a sign that the smart entry system has experienced a problem. Some potential culprits are a low/dead keyfob battery or a problem detecting the remote. Visit your dealer for a more thorough diagnosis. |
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System NotificationRefer to the vehicle’s information display found in the gauge cluster for additional information. |
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Vehicle Stability Assist SystemThe VSA system has activated due to excess wheelspin in slippery conditions or there’s a problem within the system. |
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Washer Fluid Level LowAdd additional windshield washer fluid to your vehicle’s reservoir under the hood. This is especially important when driving in winter weather. |
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Automatic High Beam HeadlightsYour high beam headlights are being automatically controlled. |
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Cruise ControlCruise control is engaged and your vehicle is maintaining its pre-set speed. Use the same caution you normally would while driving. |
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Exterior LightsYour exterior lights are turned on. Be sure to switch them off when they’re not needed to save potential battery drain. |
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Fog Lights OnThe vehicle’s fog lights are switched on. |
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Low Coolant TemperatureYou’ll often see this light appear when you first start your vehicle. It means that your engine coolant has not reached the recommended operating temperature yet. Avoid heavy acceleration until normal operating temperature has been reached and this light turns off. |
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Turn SignalsYour turn signals are activated. |
Germain Chevrolet GMC of Sidney – Your Top Destination for Expert Service
If you’ve noticed a dashboard warning light suddenly appear on your vehicle, don’t panic! Our team of factory-trained technicians has the knowledge and expertise to correctly diagnose and repair your vehicle if necessary. We have the latest tools and equipment necessary to properly service your GM vehicle along with a comprehensive selection of Genuine GM parts and components designed for an exact fit. Don’t let a dashboard warning light cause you excessive worry! Visit us at Germain Chevrolet GMC of Sidney today!