Newsletter
1. ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT
What it looks like: A pirate ship with its sails down as if to say, "I'm just a normal boat, no pirates here."
What it means: Your engine is too hot, friend. Here is a useful guide for what to do if your engine overheats.
2. TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT
What it looks like: A Buckingham Palace guard telling you the field goal is GOOD!
What it means: The pressure in one or more of your tires is too low and needs to be attended to.
3. OIL PRESSURE WARNING
What it looks like: You're about to get three wishes.
What it means: Your engine is running low on oil, or there is a problem with your car's oil pressure system.
4. TRACTION CONTROL
What it looks like: Cthulhu wearing a fedora.
What it means: The car's traction control system is engaged.
5. ENGINE WARNING
What it looks like: Yellow submarine, a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine.
What it means: It can blink on for a number of reasons. Read about some of those here.
6. ANTILOCK BRAKE WARNING
What it looks like: The cover of a fitness magazine.
What it means: There is an issue with your anti-lock brake system that needs to be diagnosed and fixed.
7. AUTOMATIC SHIFT LOCK OR ENGINE START INDICATOR
What it looks like: The bat signal, if Bruce Wayne had been traumatized in a shoe closet instead of a bat cave as a child.
What it means: You need to engage the brake, either to start your car's ignition or to get it out of neutral.
8. BATTERY ALERT
What it looks like: Math lego.
What it means: The car's charging system is short of power. You are running solely on battery.
9. FUEL INDICATOR SYMBOL
What it looks like: A snake-infested ATM.
What it means: You are running low on fuel. Fun fact: The symbol on the fuel gauge also has an arrow next to it—this indicates which side of the car has the gas cap. No more gas station three-point turns in rental cars ever again.
10. SEATBELT REMINDER LIGHT
What it looks like: James Carville wearing a bandolier.
What it means: Buckle your seatbelt, please.
11. AIRBAG INDICATOR
What it looks like: A man wearing a tie, shaking his fist at you as he falls down. Why did you push him?
What it means: There may be an issue with one or more of your car's airbags, or the airbag system in general.
12. FOG LAMP INDICATOR
What it looks like: A jellyfish leaping through a waterfall.
What it means: Your fog lights are on.
13. SECURITY LIGHT
What it looks like: They put a boot on your car and your car is also covered in icicles. This has been the worst winter ever.
What it means: You may need a key with the proper transponder in order to trigger the ignition. Or, there is something else wrong with your car's anti-theft system.
14. TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTION
What it looks like: Pyramid on the dollar bill...or is that what the Illuminati wants you to think it looks like???????????
What it means: There is an issue with your anti-skid system, and it may be shut off completely.
15. WASHER FLUID INDICATOR
What it looks like: A conductor's point of view, tapping her music stand and preparing to lead an orchestra consisting of two candy canes that are stuck together.
What it means: The washer fluid level is low. Please fill that up when you get a chance.