Guide To Common Dashboard Lights | Greenville, MS

Seeing an icon light up on your dashboard is sure to ruin the mood of a day ahead at the office or a much-needed road trip. Depending on what light is on, taking care of the issue may be a simple fix. In any case, understanding what each dashboard symbol means should give you a solid idea of how to take care of it. Here are five of the most common dashboard lights that may illuminate inside your vehicle.

Check engine

The check engine light, which bears a shape similar to an engine, is probably the most feared light of them all. But it doesn’t always mean that there’s a significant issue with your vehicle. In fact, seeing this light on can mean something as simple as the gas cap not being properly secured.
Typically, check engine lights have two modes: solid and flashing. Both will require attention, but a flashing light means you should pull over immediately and call for a tow. If the issue is significant, continuing to drive your vehicle can lead to catastrophic — and costly — damage.

Oil pressure

This symbol looks a bit like an old-fashioned oil can or a genie’s lamp. When the oil pressure light is on, your first step should be to stop the vehicle and check the oil levels once it’s had time to cool off. If your car is low on oil, top it off, turn the vehicle on, and see if that takes care of the issue.
A persisting oil pressure light can indicate more severe problems like a leak or a broken oil pump. When adding oil doesn’t seem to help, bring your vehicle to James Ceranti Nissan and let our experts address the issue.

Tire pressure monitoring

The tire pressure light, which looks a bit like a horseshoe with tread at the bottom and an exclamation point in the center, tells you exactly what the name suggests. When this light is on, at least one of your tires is well below the necessary pressure level.

This light illuminating is fairly common when the temperature changes, so it may not mean you have a leak or flat. In any case, you’ll want to stop and check each tire. If you stop at a gas station, you can take advantage of an air pump that allows you to refill the tires to the maximum recommended pressure levels found in the owner’s manual. If the light comes on again after refilling the tires, there may be a leak and should bring your vehicle in for a check-up.

Battery

The battery light is an easy one to recognize — it’s a rectangle with minus and plus signs on either side. Most likely, you won’t see this battery until you’ve already realized that your vehicle won’t start. If you get this warning and your vehicle seems to start normally, don’t be fooled — the battery needs to be tested.

A battery test at James Ceranti Nissan is quick, easy, and it helps you be sure that your vehicle will start when you need it to. In general, a car battery will only last 3-5 years, so consider having it inspected anyway if it’s been a while since you’ve replaced it.

Brake system

If you see a vehicle warning light that resembles a circle with parentheses on either side as well as an exclamation mark in the middle, you’re being warned about an issue with the brake system. This could mean that you pulled out and left the parking brake on. It could also mean that the brake fluid is low or the brake pads are worn. In cases where the parking brake isn’t the culprit, bring your vehicle to James Ceranti Nissan for an inspection.

Whether you’re from Greenville or visiting Mississippi from Arkansas City, Lake Village, McGehee, Dumas, or Dermott, James Ceranti Nissan is here for all your maintenance needs. Call to schedule your appointment and we’ll take care of you and your ride.