If your dash is lighting up with signs that you can’t recognize, it can be easy to just ignore them. However, this will only make matters worse. This article can help you out.

The lights on your dash are a good indication of what is happening inside your engine and around your car, and actioning them early can often be the difference between fixing a small problem now or leaving it to become a large problem later.

What Is Your Dash Trying to Tell You?

The challenge for motorists is knowing just what each of the lights is trying to tell you. Ace Hi Oil has a post with some information to help you understand what’s going on and what you can do to fix it.

Somebody Sitting About to Be Hit in the Face with a Ball

Sounds funny, but if you look, you’ll realize the very light we are talking about. You may have noticed this light come on when you switch on your car, which is normal. However, if it remains on then you have a problem. This light represents your car’s airbag system. As your engine starts up, a number of checks need to occur before your airbag system is up and running. During startup, the light is merely telling you that the system is getting ready. However, if it stays on after you have begun driving then it can mean that there is a problem with your airbag and it’s best to get it checked straight away. Why? Not only could it mean that your airbag won’t deploy should you get into a collision, but it could mean that your airbag will deploy while you are driving, without being triggered. As you can imagine, each situation poses its own problems.

A Floating Thermometer

If you can see this symbol on your dash then it likely means that your engine is getting too hot or is actually overheating right now. This light is your engine temperature light. The most common reason this is lighting up is that you have run out of coolant, or you are running low, and your engine can’t maintain a safe operating temperature. If this light comes on as you drive, it won’t be long until you see steam coming from the hood of your car. The best advice is to pull over safely and wait for your engine to cool down. If you can, safely lift the hood of your car to allow any trapped hot air to escape and cool air to circulate. Once your engine temperate has lowered, safely top up your coolant or make your way to the store or home to do it. Click here to buy Low Toxicity Antifreeze and Engine Coolant and keep your engine temperatures down, even in extreme heat. Low Toxicity Antifreeze and Engine Coolant contains a range of high-quality ingredients which work together to actively keep your engine cool as you drive. To learn more, check out the online store or speak with a friendly expert at Ace Hi Oil by calling (888) 459-9958.

A Battery

This one is pretty self-explanatory, however, many people ignore it thinking that it’s not important. However, if left unattended, you will likely find yourself stuck in the middle of a carpark or driveway with an engine which won't switch on. Your battery is the item responsible for starting your engine, so if it has problems, then you have problems. A visual inspection is often all that is required to see what could be wrong with your battery. If you can see corrosion or build up on the terminals or the battery itself, do your best to safely clean it and the connections and then see if the light switches off. If it doesn’t then it’s likely time for a battery replacement.

Two Half Circles Surrounding an Exclamation Point

If your vehicle has any type of anti-lock braking system then this is the light which represents it. Similar to your airbag light, this will often switch on as your engine starts up and your vehicle prepares its various safety features. However, if this light remains on as you drive then it’s time to check a few things. First, check your brake fluid and make sure it’s at the recommended level. If this looks fine, check your brake pads to see if they are running low or are ready to be replaced. If both of these seem fine then it’s time to have your mechanic check it out.

A Car Driving over a Couple of ‘S’ Symbols

More often than not, this light is harmless and is merely telling you that your vehicle’s traction control system has been activated. Often, it’s simply a matter of you accidentally flicking a switch or pressing a button. If you can, identify the control and turn it off. If the light persists after you have confirmed that the feature has been turned off, then it’s likely telling you that there is something wrong with the system and it’s time to have it checked either by a mechanic or an auto-electrician.

Give Your Engine a Boost of Health with a Synthetic Oil Change in Fort Worth, Tx

To keep your car’s engine oil light off and your vehicle in good health, give your car a synthetic oil change in Fort Worth, TX. To find out more about the benefits of a synthetic oil change in Fort Worth, TX, speak with somebody who knows and who can help you find the right products which can help. Call Ace Hi Oil today at (888) 459-9958 to find out more.