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DRIVERS have been urged to stop ignoring six little-known dashboard warning lights this winter – or risk dangerous consequences.
Motoring experts at Moneybarn have urged road-users to pay attention to their dash alerts – especially when road conditions are icy.
Drivers have been urged to stop ignoring six little-known dashboard warning lights this winter[/caption]
Experts have listed six dashboard lights that could appear this winter – and what to do if it happens to you[/caption]
1. ABS/ brake fluid warnings
Moneybarn experts urge drivers to be cautious if the ABS or brake fluid warning lights appear, as it means there’s a fault with your motor’s brake pads or sensors – and that could cause your brakes to fail.
Fully working brakes are crucial for vehicle safety, so don’t mess around when it comes to a potential fault, and if the light does appear then call a mechanic straight away.
2. ECU / Engine warning light
Most ECU light systems use amber and red coding to signify the degree of the fault – with the red light alerting you to a serious fault.
If this happens, you must stop your vehicle and call a breakdown service immediately.
Experts say that an amber warning usually means there’s a fault with the exhaust emissions.
While you should be able to drive safely with this, you still must make sure to book in with a mechanic once you arrive at your destination.
3. Airbag warning light
Your airbag warning light will come on if there’s a problem with your airbag system or your seatbelt mechanism – this usually means your airbag needs resetting or that there’s a problem with the battery or the wiring in the airbag system.
Moneybarn suggest pulling over safely or driving cautiously to a garage if you see this light appear on your dashboard.
This function is especually important as, if you’re involved in a crash while the airbag warning light is on, your airbags won’t deploy for you or your passenger, and that could prove fatal.
4. Diesel particulate filter warning light
For diesel motors, soot can sometimes build up in the exhaust and cause a clog.
Vehicles will have a built-in ‘regenerator’ which burns the soot and removes the build-up, but this only happens when driving at certain speeds.
Failure to remove any soot build-up in your exhaust will reduce airflow and can start to impact your car’s performance.
Experts at Moneybarn say that in warmer weather conditions, you should continue driving safely to the nearest 40 mph speed limit and drive for around 10 minutes to trigger the regeneration system.
However, in the winter, this is not advisable at all and it’s important to contact a mechanic immediately.
5. Battery warning light
If the battery warning light appears when you turn on your car, and it stays on while the engine is running, it means there’s a problem with the charging system.
This could be down to issues like a loose cable or cooler temperatures slowing the chemical process in a battery, compromising its ability to hold charge.
Ultimately, this could mean you eventually run out of power and come to a halt while driving, and it’s advised to book a visit to a mechanic or local battery specialist as soon as possible.
6. Oil pressure warning
The oil pressure light coming on can mean anything, from being low on oil to there being a fault with the vehicle’s engine.
Driving with an oil fault can cause havoc with your vehicle’s engine and even damage the engine beyond repair.
If the light does come on while you’re driving, experts say you should pull over, stop the vehicle and call a mechanic or roadside assistance.
This warning comes after a motors expert shared their top tips to make sure your car starts quickly on chilly winter mornings.
Many drivers are all too familiar with that sinking feeling when you try and fire up the car for the commute or school run but all you get is coughing and spluttering in return.
Fortunately, the expert team over at the RAC have explained how you can beat the deep freeze.
Meanwhile, a motorcycle expert has revealed how you are probably riding your bike all wrong – and it could be hitting you in the pocket.
An ABS light means there’s a fault with your motor’s brake pads or sensors – and that could cause your brakes to fail[/caption]
Your airbag warning light will come on if there’s a problem with your airbag system or your seatbelt mechanism[/caption] The Sun
