Know what your car is telling you.
Your calm mechanic friend. A clear answer in seconds: what it means, how urgent it is, and what it will roughly cost.
Where the stopping happens
Six pistons squeeze two pads against a spinning steel disc. Speed turns into heat in a fraction of a second, which is why worn brakes squeal, grind or shake.
Browse by problem
Every part has its own questions. Pick where to start.
Small facts that save money
Knowing how long parts last tells you when a quote is fair.
Something lit up on your dashboard?
Tap the light below and see what it means in seconds.
Dashboard warning lights
Tap a light to see what it means and how urgent it is.
Tap a light to see what it means and how urgent it is.
All warning lights as a list
- Oil pressure warning lightStop driving now
- Engine temperature warning lightStop driving now
- Brake warning lightStop driving now
- Battery warning lightFix soon
- Check engine lightFix soon
- ABS warning lightFix soon
- Airbag warning lightFix soon
- Tire pressure (TPMS) lightFix soon
- Power steering warning lightFix soon
- Traction control / stability lightSafe to monitor
- Glow plug light (diesel)Safe to monitor
- Low fuel lightSafe to monitor
- Seatbelt reminder lightSafe to monitor
- Door open lightSafe to monitor
- Low washer fluid lightSafe to monitor
- High beam indicatorSafe to monitor
- Headlights on indicatorSafe to monitor
- Cruise control indicatorSafe to monitor
Latest answers
ABS warning light: what it means and can you drive?
An amber ABS light means the anti-lock braking system has a fault. Your normal brakes still work, but here is why you should book a check soon, and when it becomes a stop-now problem.
Airbag (SRS) warning light: what it means and what to do
If the airbag or SRS light stays on, your airbags may not work in a crash. Here are the common causes, what you can safely check yourself, and why the repair is a garage job.
Battery warning light
The battery light while driving usually means the alternator or its belt has stopped charging the battery. Here is what to do, how far you can go, and what it costs.
Brake warning light: what it means and when to stop
A red brake warning light means the handbrake is on, the brake fluid is low, or the brake system has a fault. Here is how to tell which, and when you must stop driving.
Check engine light: what it means and what to do
A steady check engine light means the engine computer has found a fault. Here is what usually causes it, whether you can keep driving, and what common fixes cost.
What do the colors of dashboard lights mean?
Red means stop, amber means get it checked, green and blue mean a system is on. A quick guide to dashboard warning light colors and what to do for each.
Why drivers trust Engineclue
Says when to stop
Every problem page opens with how urgent it is. On brakes, steering, tires and overheating we tell you plainly when to stop driving.
Prices with sources
Repair costs come from at least two sources and carry the date we checked them, in your own currency.
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