When your car has a malfunction, it may announce the problem with a lighted display on your dashboard. With over 15, sometimes obscure, symbols, it can be challenging for drivers to know what they mean. That knowledge is crucial for clueing you in if you need professional auto maintenance or if you can make a tweak on your own. Here’s a guide to some of the symbols and what they represent. 

Deciphering 5 Dashboard Symbols

1. Check Engine Light

One of the most dreaded of all the symbols is the check engine sign, which features the outline of this key auto part. It can notoriously mean a wide array of different issues, ranging from a simple loose gas cap to failing spark plugs. 

2. Low Gas

If you’re dangerously low on gas, you’ll see the icon for a vintage pump with an arrow. Upon noticing it, you should head to the next possible pump, since you likely only have enough gas for another 30 to 50 miles. 

3. Oil Issue

If you see an icon of a dispenser and what looks like a single drop, that means there’s a problem with your engine oil. You should head to an auto maintenance shop to see if you just need to top up your oil or if there’s a deeper problem with the internal pressure.

4. Tire Pressure

When one of your tires has a low pressure, you’ll notice a symbol that roughly resembles a U or a horseshoe with an exclamation point in the center. It’s then up to you to visit an auto center, which will have pumps available.  

5. Battery Warning

The rectangle with a plus and a minus is a sign for a battery, and when it appears, yours may be low on charge. As you head to an auto maintenance shop, remember not to turn your car off if you have to make any pit-stops because it may not turn on again.

If one of the dashboard symbols is concerning you, head right over to Precision Import Auto Service in St. Louis, MO for an auto repair. With over three decades of auto maintenance experience, the ASE-certified mechanics can offer everything from brake service to transmission repairs. You can schedule an appointment with the experts by calling (314) 842-1970. Learn more about the auto shop by visiting their website.