While your vehicle is probably a cinch to drive, it’s easy to forget that it’s a complicated piece of machinery with a multitude of parts. 
Luckily, your vehicle has indicator lights to let you know if something needs your attention. In addition to common warning lights, there are a few others you need to be able to recognize so you can get your car serviced quickly if needed.
Oil Pressure
The oil pressure warning light looks like an old-fashioned oil can with a drop of oil coming out of it. It lights up to let you know that your oil is either low and should be refilled or that there’s a problem with the oil circulation that needs to be addressed. Either way, when this light illuminates, it’s time to take a peek into your oil reservoir.
Tire Pressure
The tire pressure warning light features a tire with an exclamation point in the middle. Usually, this means your tires have lost some air and should be refilled. Sometimes, it’s an indication that your tire has a small puncture and should be patched or replaced. If after refilling the tire, the light illuminates again within a few days, take it to a technician to see if they can find a hole.
Engine Temperature
The engine temperature warning light looks like a thermometer with a couple of wavy lines underneath it. This light will illuminate when your engine is overheating. Engines can overheat for a variety of reasons, so it’s best to visit a technician to identify the problem quickly before any damage occurs to your vehicle.
Engine Warning
The engine warning light is the image of an engine. When it lights up, it indicates that there’s a problem somewhere under the hood. While this light is pretty non-specific, it is helpful to know that you should take your car in and have it checked before any damage occurs. If the check engine light is flashing rather than just illuminated, pull over immediately and call for help as the flashing indicates a major and urgent issue.
Battery Alert
The battery alert warning looks like a battery with a plus sign on one side and a minus sign on the other. If it’s illuminated, then there’s something amiss with the charging system in your vehicle. It could be the battery itself, but it could also be another component of the full charging system, so it’s best to get it professionally checked out.
Anti-Lock Brake System
The anti-lock brake warning light is a circle with ABS in the center and parentheses on either side. The ABS light indicates there’s a problem with your anti-lock brake system. This system helps keep your car safely connected to the road, so it’s important that it’s in proper working order.
While you don’t need to know how to fix every problem under the hood of your vehicle, it’s essential to recognize what the warning lights on your dashboard mean. If your Volkswagen is showing any of these warning lights, stop by Crain VW of Fayetteville so our technicians can take a look at it.
Image via crainvw.com
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