A car warning light's colour tells you how urgent it is: red means stop safely as soon as possible, amber or yellow means get it checked soon, and green or blue lights are just information. To identify a specific symbol, photograph it with Auto SI in CEMP Life: Super Intelligence (SI) reads the light, tyre or engine bay and gives a plain-English assessment with recommended next steps. Always confirm with a qualified mechanic before repairs.
Warning light colours
- Red: serious problem or safety issue. Stop safely and check
- Amber/yellow: something needs attention soon. Drive carefully to a garage
- Green/blue: a system is on (headlights, cruise control). No action
- Flashing amber or red usually means more urgent than steady
Car warning light symbols and what they mean
| Symbol | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Engine outline (check engine) | A fault in the engine or emissions system | Steady: book a check. Flashing: reduce speed, stop if it runs rough |
| Oil can (red) | Low oil pressure | Stop the engine safely and check oil level |
| Thermometer in liquid (red) | Engine overheating | Pull over, switch off, let it cool; do not open a hot radiator cap |
| Battery (red) | Charging system fault | Switch off non-essentials and get to a garage |
| Exclamation mark in a circle (red) | Handbrake on, low brake fluid or brake fault | Check handbrake; if it stays on, do not drive |
| ABS in a circle (amber) | Anti-lock braking fault | Brakes work, ABS may not; get it checked |
| Exclamation mark in a horseshoe (amber) | Low pressure in one or more tyres | Check and inflate to the recommended pressure |
| Car with wavy (squiggly) lines (amber) | Traction or stability control. Flashing means it is working on a slippery road; steady means a fault or that it is switched off | Flashing: ease off the accelerator. Steady: get it checked |
| Triangle with exclamation mark | General warning; check the message on the dashboard | Read the message on the display |
| Steering wheel (amber or red) | Power steering fault | Steering may feel heavy; drive carefully to a garage |
| Coil (amber, diesel) | Glow plugs warming up | Wait for it to go out before starting; if it flashes while driving, get it checked |
| Seated person and circle (red) | Airbag system fault | Get it checked; airbags may not deploy |
Symbols vary by manufacturer, which is exactly where a photo beats a chart.
How to diagnose a warning light from a photo
- Park safely.
- Open Auto SI in the Everyday Toolkit.
- Photograph the warning light, fault code display, tyre tread, bodywork damage or engine bay.
- Tap Analyse. You get a plain-language assessment, with concerns and positive findings separated, and recommended next steps.
You still visit a mechanic, but you arrive informed, which tends to make for a shorter conversation and a fairer quote.
Photograph the light. Get the answer.
CEMP Life puts 20+ SI tools in one app: calorie counter, food and allergen scanner, recipe maker, wellness sensors, crash detection, car diagnosis, contract checker, receipt scanner and a full creator studio. No account needed. Nothing stored.
4-day free trial on Google Play. Cancel any time.
What else can Auto SI check?
- Tyre wear: photograph the tread to see whether it looks low or uneven
- Bodywork damage: a quick read on scratches, dents and cracks
- Fault code displays: read the code shown on a scanner or dash
- Engine bay: leaks, loose parts or visible damage
Can I keep driving with a warning light on?
With a steady amber light, usually yes, carefully, to a garage soon. With any red light, a flashing engine light, steam, smoke, burning smells, or brakes that feel wrong, stop as soon as it is safe. When in doubt, call roadside assistance.
The honest limits
Auto SI is an information tool. It cannot see inside the engine or read the car's computer directly, and symbols differ between makes. Always have your vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic before making repair or safety decisions. For noises from machines at home, try MechSense; for the full toolkit, see the top SI toolkit.
Photograph the light. Get the answer.
CEMP Life puts 20+ SI tools in one app: calorie counter, food and allergen scanner, recipe maker, wellness sensors, crash detection, car diagnosis, contract checker, receipt scanner and a full creator studio. No account needed. Nothing stored.
4-day free trial on Google Play. Cancel any time.