Lightly Drive and Dash
AKA Dash Lights.
The technology in today’s automobile is constantly evolving. The car manufactures are adding and changing features at an alarming rate. This makes it difficult to keep up with what a light on the dash means and what to do about it.
Also, there can be information displays, like pages, that read out on the dash in LEDs. Even an engineer could get a headache from all the displays of lights and information. The owner’s manual is the best tool you can use. It can answer many questions and gives most people the upper hand in this situation.
The number of acronyms now used in the car industry is astounding! There are lists literally pages long. SRS, ABS, BAS, ASR, TPM, MIL, PGM-FI and who knows what else, are ones you may see on your dash. The lights should come on when you turn on the key (key on engine off - KOEO). Then when you start the car (key on engine running - KOER) the lights should all be off. Generally these lights will all go off after starting the car. If they stay on after the car is started it is an indication there is a problem with some system in your car.
Dash lights are called warning lights for a reason. Check your owner’s manual. Most manuals say, “Take the car to a repair shop now!” This is a good idea. If it is a TPM - tire pressure monitor and you have a low tire, you need to have it checked. Some lights, like SRS - supplemental restraint system aka air bag, may indicate that the system or part of it will not work. I don’t know about you, but I want my air bag working every time I drive my car.
What it boils down to is; these are WARNING lights. They indicate a malfunction. MIL - malfunction indicator light. As a rule they relate to a safety feature and indicate the status of that particular system. Each time you start your car many onboard computers run system tests and even while driving they are continually testing to make sure all systems are go. (Like NASA.)
Concerning repairs; it depends on which system has a failure. Sometimes simply letting the battery die and then jumping the car will cause these lights to stay on until the system is reset. Other times it can indicate a sensor or actuator failing. The only way to check the majority of these systems is with the proper scan tool. These systems have the capacity to store data that can be retrieved to help diagnose the problem and then a properly trained technician can make the necessary repairs.
So if your car is warning you with the display of exhibiting one or more lights on the dash, bring it on in to Water Star Motors! We have the trained technicians and state of the art equipment to keep your car working properly and you safe on the road!
The technology in today’s automobile is constantly evolving. The car manufactures are adding and changing features at an alarming rate. This makes it difficult to keep up with what a light on the dash means and what to do about it.
Also, there can be information displays, like pages, that read out on the dash in LEDs. Even an engineer could get a headache from all the displays of lights and information. The owner’s manual is the best tool you can use. It can answer many questions and gives most people the upper hand in this situation.
The number of acronyms now used in the car industry is astounding! There are lists literally pages long. SRS, ABS, BAS, ASR, TPM, MIL, PGM-FI and who knows what else, are ones you may see on your dash. The lights should come on when you turn on the key (key on engine off - KOEO). Then when you start the car (key on engine running - KOER) the lights should all be off. Generally these lights will all go off after starting the car. If they stay on after the car is started it is an indication there is a problem with some system in your car.
Dash lights are called warning lights for a reason. Check your owner’s manual. Most manuals say, “Take the car to a repair shop now!” This is a good idea. If it is a TPM - tire pressure monitor and you have a low tire, you need to have it checked. Some lights, like SRS - supplemental restraint system aka air bag, may indicate that the system or part of it will not work. I don’t know about you, but I want my air bag working every time I drive my car.
What it boils down to is; these are WARNING lights. They indicate a malfunction. MIL - malfunction indicator light. As a rule they relate to a safety feature and indicate the status of that particular system. Each time you start your car many onboard computers run system tests and even while driving they are continually testing to make sure all systems are go. (Like NASA.)
Concerning repairs; it depends on which system has a failure. Sometimes simply letting the battery die and then jumping the car will cause these lights to stay on until the system is reset. Other times it can indicate a sensor or actuator failing. The only way to check the majority of these systems is with the proper scan tool. These systems have the capacity to store data that can be retrieved to help diagnose the problem and then a properly trained technician can make the necessary repairs.
So if your car is warning you with the display of exhibiting one or more lights on the dash, bring it on in to Water Star Motors! We have the trained technicians and state of the art equipment to keep your car working properly and you safe on the road!
