When the temperature drops, the dashboard lights come alive… and not the festive kind.
Winter loves to make your dash glow like it has holiday plans of its own – tire pressure, check engine light, traction control, all popping on at once.
But here’s the part most people don’t know:
The color of the light actually tells you how urgent it is.
Red means “fix it now,”
Yellow means “we should talk soon,”
And flashing means “pull over (really).”
If you’ve ever squinted at a glowing icon and hoped for the best, this quick guide will help you tell what’s serious… and what’s winter just being, winter.
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Winter has a way of making everything glow – houses, trees, businesses and apparently, dashboards.
This time of year, we see a lot of cars come in “decorated” with a handful of warning lights.
And while we appreciate the festive energy, your dash isn’t trying to celebrate.
Most people do the same thing when one pops on:
Stare at it.
Squint a little.
Then pretend it’s fine.
(We’ve all been there. It never fixes itself.)
So here’s a simple breakdown – no jargon and no scare tactics – of the lights that commonly show up the most in the cold weather and what they actually mean.
RED LIGHTS: “Hey fix me now.”
These typically are the “stop gift shopping and pay attention” warnings.*
If you see a red light, swing by your trusted mechanic, even if you’re not sure what it is.
YELLOW LIGHTS: “Come talk to me soon.”
These are usually the “not an emergency, but let’s chat” warnings.*
If you see a yellow light, whip out your owner’s manual so you know what your vehicle is trying to communicate to you. Then follow the suggested next steps or contact your trusted mechanic.
FLASHING LIGHTS: “Okay, nope. Pull Over. Really.”
These are generally your dash sending an SOS flare.*
If you see flashing lights, that’s your car saying, “Hey, this is happening right now.” Pull over safely, check your owner’s manual so you know what you’re dealing with, and then decide whether you’re good to keep rolling or if it’s time to call for help.
Why It Happens More In Winter
Most winter issues are simple. Seriously. A 5-minute tire pressure bump solves most of them.
Cold weather also messes with:
⇻ Fluids
⇻ Sensors
⇻ Batteries
⇻ Your sanity
If your dash is lighting up like a Christmas tree, bring it in to your trusted mechanic.
There’s no shame in not knowing what a symbol means. That’s why mechanics know them.
Swing by anytime, we’ll help you decode the glow.
No judgment. No upsell.
Just a quick check so you can stop guessing and start driving.
*This guide is for general informational purposes only. Always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for accurate information about your dashboard icons and recommended next steps. Your manual is the most reliable source for learning how your specific vehicle communicates and what each symbol means. If you ever have questions, stop by or give us a call.
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