Dashboard Lights: What do they convey?

The instrument cluster contains the various gauges and indicators that drivers depend on to learn important information on the current status of the automobile. In a vehicle, potentially hazardous problems could occur at any point of time. Dashboard lights are integrated into the instrument cluster of the dashboard in order to provide full information about various components of the car and it also warns the driver if anything goes wrong.Gauges provide the information for speed, distance, heat and fuel. Indicator lights provide warnings and updates like the check engine light and the low fuel light. Different vehicles have different warnings available. 

Instrument cluster

Basically, Instrument clusters provide drivers with a centralized and easily viewable location for displaying all critical system information.

There are some of the various type of symbols displayed on the instrument panel located on the dashboard:

• Warning Symbols:

These include symbols such as 1.Engine Temperature Warning Light, 2.Battery Charge Warning Light,3.Oil Pressure Warning Light and 4.Brake Warning Light.

               

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• Safety Symbols:

These lights indicate an issue with your car that needs either an immediate action or checking.

A few most commonly used symbols are:

1.Reduced Power Warning, 2. Seat Belt Indicator, 3.Parking Brake Light, 4.Check Engine or Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)

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There are also some more indicators which are commonly used to display the current lighting status of the vehicle such as Parking light indicator, High Beam, Low Beam and Fog light indicator.

• Diesel-Powered Vehicle Symbols:

Diesel powered vehicles have some more specific warning/indication lights:

1. Glow plug Indicator:

This light means that the engine’s glow plugs are warming up and the engine should not be started until the light goes out.So you need to wait for a few seconds after turning on ignition and only if the light goes off, you should fire the engine. If it flashes, an issue has been detected, such as a worn out glow plug.

2. Fuel filter warning:

                                                              

This light means that the diesel fuel filter is full, and needs to be emptied to avoid engine damage.

These were some of the commonly used warning lights. You must have information about these lights and you must keep an eye over it while driving the vehicle so that you don't get into big trouble.