The Importance of Knowing Your Dashboard Warning Lights

Car manufacturers spend a lot of money each year on researching and developing new and advanced technology for their vehicles. The up side to this is that modern cars now boast an array of features that make driving them a more comfortable and pleasant experience. The downside is that technology is not fail proof, and things can go wrong that are not always that simple to fix. To alert drivers to a problem with their vehicle the dashboard displays a number of different symbols which if lit up will indicate in which part of the car the issue lays. This is a simple system which can be very effective if the driver is aware of what all the symbols mean.

For those people who learnt to drive more than ten years ago, the array of dashboard lights in today's modern car may be confusing. But it is not just the newer lights which older drivers are finding difficult to identify, but also some of the basic ones. A recent survey in the UK found that almost half of women questioned and a third of men could not identify the symbols on their dashboard, even those which have been standard in vehicles for some time. The different makes and model of car will often differ in the number and type of lights that they display. Therefore if you are going to be driving a new and unfamiliar car it is wise to read the manufacturer's handbook so you are aware of the different dashboard symbols and what they mean.

If you are driving and a symbol lights up, or if a symbol light does not distinguish when you turn on the engine then the first thing you should do is find a safe place to stop the vehicle as soon as possible. The car's handbook will be able to tell you what the symbol means and what needs to be done to remedy the problem. The handbook should also give you guidance as to whether you can continue to use the vehicle or whether it requires further mechanical assistance before being driven again. If you are out on the open road when a symbol becomes illuminated and you are not able to continue driving then you should contact the services of a breakdown company to assist you.

You can purchase breakdown assistance from a specialist company or many motor insurance providers also offer a this type of service. When you contact the breakdown assistance you should make them aware of the symbol which is lit up. They will then be able to come out and meet you with the right equipment to fix the problem. Some lights indicate a problem which can be solved by the driver, such as needing to top up on oil or windscreen wash. If you carry these items in your car then you can solve the problem yourself, however if you don't or are unsure what the problem is then you should seek help from a professional.