What?s That Yellow Squiggly Line Anyway? (What Warning Lights Mean)
January 4, 2026
You may have noticed when you start your vehicle, you’ll see several symbols light up on the dash. They’re different colors and shapes, and sometimes it’s hard to figure out what each of those symbols mean.
They are warning lights and symbolize something in your vehicle is sending you a message. It’s the result of today’s vehicles having lots of computers. The good thing about having so many of these warning lights is they can let you know there’s an issue in need of attention before a more serious failure.
Sometimes it can be challenging to figure out what each light means, so here are some of the most common ones. One looks like your vehicle’s engine from the side, the Check Engine light. It alerts you to something as simple as a loose gas cap to a far more serious problem like an overheating engine. When the Check Engine light comes on, bring it into our shop. If it’s blinking or flashing, it likely has more urgent issues, so bring it in sooner.
Another warning light looks like a genie lamp with a drip at the end, and it’s the engine oil light. When it comes on, it means something’s wrong with the oil pressure, and that can be a sign of serious engine problems. Don’t ignore the oil light and bring it in for service as soon as you can.
One warning light looks like an old-style thermometer with a bulb at the bottom and degree marks on the side sitting in fluid. That’s all about your coolant level, and when it comes on, your engine may be overheating. It’s another one that’s telling you to bring it in to us for service quickly.
When your brakes aren’t working right, a light comes on that looks like a circle with a pair of half circles at the sides and an exclamation mark in the middle. Driving with malfunctioning brakes is dangerous, and it’s another warning light that should prompt you to get your vehicle looked at very soon.
If you see a light on your dash you don’t understand, try looking it up in your owner’s manual or bring it into us so we can help decipher it. Warning lights are there to help you, and so are we.
Spartan Tire Brighton
4880 Old U.S. 23
Brighton, MI 48114
8102277377
Need Service?
More articles from Spartan Tire Brighton
Step Up your Stops
July 5, 2026
Lets face it. Many of us take our vehicles brakes for granted. We step on the pedal, the brakes slow us down and stop us. Theyre also vital to helping us control our vehicles. Thats why its important to think about brakes as one of the most important safety systems we have. Malfunctioning b... More
Start Me Up
June 28, 2026
You have a nice road trip planned out. Youre all packed, sit down in the drivers seat, go to start your vehicle up and Nothing! You might hear a click, but thats it. What do you do now? Your problem may be a bad ignition switch. There are other symptoms you may notice. A failing ignition swi... More
Today’s Headlights: Brighter, Smarter… and Harder to Replace
June 21, 2026
Maybe youre old enough to remember when headlights were essentially all the same on every vehicle. They were so cheap and easy to replace, most people could do it themselves. Those days are gone. Now, headlights put out more and better light and are more efficient. Those all contribute to bet... More