Ford Dashboard Warning Lights

Nothing spoils a drive quite like a warning light unexpectedly appearing on your dashboard. Does the light indicate a critical issue? Is it safe to continue driving, or do you need to call a tow truck to get your vehicle to the service station? First off, don’t panic! Not every warning light indicates a serious problem with your vehicle. Knowing what all the warning lights on your dashboard mean can take the stress out of seeing one of them turn on, and give you the information you need to proceed. Read on with the service team here at Mainland Ford as we run down what each of those lights means on your Ford’s dashboard.

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Colour Codes

The warning lights for your dashboard are actually colour-coded by urgency. Yellow is the least urgent issue, but it is a warning that you should have the issue investigated soon, so it doesn’t turn into something more major. Orange lights indicate an active problem, and you should drive cautiously and proceed to a service station as soon as possible. A red indicator, especially if blinking, indicates a critical issue and may indicate that you should pull over when it’s safe to do so, and perhaps call for roadside assistance. Green, blue, or white indicators are usually notifications when a particular feature is active, such as lane assist, high beams, or cruise control.

Dashboard Symbols

For convenience, most vehicles use a universal set of symbols to indicate a problem. Here, we break down the most common symbols you’re likely to see on your dashboard when there’s a problem.

Check Engine

The engine light is sensitive and can light up for a number of reasons, including something as simple as an improperly closed gas cap. However, it can indicate a much more serious issue, and if it’s red or blinking, you should pull over as soon as it’s safe and have your vehicle towed to the nearest repair facility. Generally speaking, any time your engine light comes on, you should book service as soon as possible to have it investigated.

Oil Pressure

Next to the engine light, the oil pressure light is one of the more critical warnings, which can appear on your dashboard. If it comes on, you should pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so and switch off the vehicle. It indicates that you are either low on oil or there’s a serious problem with the engine. Either issue can potentially cause serious damage to the engine, so you should immediately call for roadside assistance.

ABS

The ABS light indicates an issue with your Anti-Lock Braking System. Generally, this means your brakes are working properly, but there’s a malfunction with the ABS system. You should be able to continue driving normally, but you should make an appointment to have your ABS system serviced as soon as possible.

Brake Light

If the brake light comes on while the vehicle is running, but you aren’t driving, it could indicate the parking brake is engaged. If it isn’t engaged, your brake fluid could be low, or there could be some other malfunction with the brakes. Either way, make a service appointment as soon as possible, and consider avoiding driving.

Check Battery

When the battery system comes on, it can indicate a problem with the battery or your charging system. Either way, if it appears while you’re driving, you should turn off any unnecessary electronics in your vehicle immediately and have your battery checked at a service centre as soon as possible.

Temperature

When the engine is running too hot, the temperature indicator will switch on to warn you of potential overheating. You should pull over as soon as it’s safe and switch off the engine to let it cool down. You may be out of coolant, or there could be an issue with the temperature gauge itself. If your coolant isn’t low, you should call for immediate roadside assistance.

Tire Pressure

When you first turn on your vehicle, this light will briefly appear to indicate the system is working. If it stays on, there’s a problem with one or more of your tires, and you should have them checked as soon as possible. If it’s flashing or does not briefly come on when you turn on the vehicle, there could be a problem with the sensor, and you should have it looked at soon.

Low Fuel

Probably the most common, but less urgent, of the warning lights which can appear on your dashboard. Most owner’s manuals can tell you exactly what your fuel level is when this light appears, but generally speaking, you should probably proceed to a gas station to refuel.

Other Warnings

Still not seeing the particular light which has appeared on your dashboard.
You can consult the following chart to see exactly what every dashboard indicator in your Ford vehicle represents.

Get Your Ford Serviced in Surrey, BC

No matter the issue, our Ford-certified service experts are here to help you get it resolved as quickly as possible, so you can get back on the road safely. Book your next service appointment today with the team at Mainland Ford in BC!