Dashboard warning lights (kontrolky v aute) - what they mean and what to do
A light has come on on your dashboard and you are not sure whether you can keep driving? Here is an overview of the most common car warning lights - what their colours mean, which ones make you stop straight away and which only remind you of a service. You will find a big table of warning lights, a step-by-step guide and a glossary of abbreviations such as EPC, ESP, DPF and AdBlue.
What warning light colours mean
The colour of a light tells you how urgent it is:
Red - stop
A serious fault or danger: oil pressure, an overheating engine, brakes, charging. Stop safely, switch off the engine and do not drive on until you know the cause.
Yellow / amber - garage as soon as possible
A system reports a fault or a maintenance need: engine, ABS, DPF, tyre pressure. You can usually drive on, but do not wait for weeks.
Green and blue - information
Lights on, cruise control, Start-Stop. Not a fault.
One symbol, two colours
Some lights have a yellow and a red version - for example the oil can: yellow usually means a low oil level, red means low oil pressure. The colour matters, not just the shape.
Check at start-up
When you switch on the ignition, most lights come on for a few seconds - the car is testing bulbs and systems. They should go out once the engine starts. If one stays on, it is reporting a fault.
Car warning lights table
The most common dashboard warning lights - from the most urgent to the informational:
Red
Oil pressure
redCan I drive on?No
- What it means:
- Low oil pressure
- What to do:
- Stop immediately, switch off the engine, check the oil level
Engine temperature
redCan I drive on?No
- What it means:
- Overheating engine or low coolant
- What to do:
- Stop, switch off the engine, check the level only once it has cooled
Brakes
redCan I drive on?No, if it stays on after releasing the handbrake
- What it means:
- Handbrake on, low brake fluid or brake fault
- What to do:
- Stop, check the brake fluid level, call a garage
Charging (battery)
redCan I drive on?Only briefly, to a garage
- What it means:
- The alternator is not charging the battery
- What to do:
- Switch off unnecessary consumers, drive straight to a garage
Airbag
red / yellowCan I drive on?Yes, carefully
- What it means:
- Airbag or seatbelt pretensioner fault
- What to do:
- Airbags may not deploy - garage as soon as possible
Power steering
red / yellowCan I drive on?Carefully
- What it means:
- Power steering fault
- What to do:
- Steering will be heavier - garage
Seatbelt
redCan I drive on?Yes, once fastened
- What it means:
- Seatbelt not fastened
- What to do:
- Fasten your seatbelt
Door, bonnet or boot open
redCan I drive on?Once closed
- What it means:
- Something is open
- What to do:
- Stop and close it
Yellow / amber
Oil level
yellowCan I drive on?Briefly
- What it means:
- Low oil
- What to do:
- Top up with the specified oil, watch consumption
Engine (check engine)
yellowCan I drive on?If steady yes, if flashing no
- What it means:
- Engine or emission system fault
- What to do:
- Diagnostics at a garage
EPC
yellowCan I drive on?Carefully, power may be limited
- What it means:
- Electronic engine management fault
- What to do:
- Garage
Glow plugs (diesel)
yellowCan I drive on?Yes
- What it means:
- At start-up pre-heating, while driving a fault
- What to do:
- At start-up wait until it goes out. If it flashes while driving - garage
DPF
yellowCan I drive on?Yes
- What it means:
- Diesel particulate filter is clogging
- What to do:
- Drive 15-20 minutes at higher revs; if it stays on - garage
AdBlue
yellowCan I drive on?Yes
- What it means:
- Low AdBlue or SCR system fault
- What to do:
- Top up AdBlue - once it runs out the engine will not restart
ABS
yellowCan I drive on?Yes, carefully
- What it means:
- ABS not working, normal brakes still work
- What to do:
- Garage. Together with the red brake light - stop
ESP / ASR
yellowCan I drive on?Yes, carefully
- What it means:
- Flashing: system intervening. Steady: switched off or faulty
- What to do:
- If steady and you did not switch it off - garage
Tyre pressure (TPMS)
yellowCan I drive on?Yes, slowly
- What it means:
- Low tyre pressure
- What to do:
- Check and inflate the tyres. If flashing - sensor fault
Brake pads
yellowCan I drive on?Yes
- What it means:
- Worn brake pads
- What to do:
- Replace as soon as possible
Service
yellowCan I drive on?Yes
- What it means:
- Service due soon
- What to do:
- Book a service
Fuel
yellowCan I drive on?Yes
- What it means:
- Fuel reserve
- What to do:
- Refuel
Washer fluid
yellowCan I drive on?Yes
- What it means:
- Low washer fluid
- What to do:
- Top up the fluid
Green and blue
Lights, indicators, cruise control, Start-Stop
greenCan I drive on?Yes
- What it means:
- Function is on
- What to do:
- Nothing
High beam
blueCan I drive on?Yes
- What it means:
- High beam on
- What to do:
- Dip the lights for oncoming traffic
Cold engine
blueCan I drive on?Yes
- What it means:
- Engine not yet warmed up
- What to do:
- Drive gently for the first kilometres
Red warning lights: stop
Oil warning light
A red oil can means low oil pressure - the engine is not lubricated properly and can be destroyed within minutes. Stop safely, switch off the engine and after a few minutes check the level with the dipstick. If oil is missing, top up with the specified type. If the level is fine and the light stays on, do not drive - call a tow truck. A yellow oil can (in some cars) only reports a low oil level.
Brake fluid and brake warning light
A red exclamation mark in a circle (or the word BRAKE) comes on when the handbrake is applied. If it stays on after you release it, it reports a low brake fluid level or a brake system fault. Stop and check the level in the reservoir under the bonnet. A low level often means worn pads or a leak - better have such a car towed to a garage. If it comes on together with ABS, it is serious.
Coolant and temperature warning light
A red thermometer in waves means an overheating engine or low coolant. Stop, switch off the engine and let it cool down. Do not open the reservoir cap while hot - the coolant is under pressure and can scald you. Once cooled, check the level and top up with the specified coolant. If coolant keeps disappearing, have the leak found at a garage.
Battery (charging) warning light
A red battery while driving does not mean a weak battery but that the alternator is not charging it - often because of the belt or the alternator itself. The car runs on the battery until it is flat. Switch off the air conditioning, heating and radio and drive straight to a garage. Do not switch off the engine unless you must - it may not restart.
Yellow warning lights: see a garage
Check engine light
The yellow light with an engine outline (check engine, MIL) reports a fault in engine management or the emission systems. If it is just on and the car drives normally, you can drive - get a diagnostic within the next few days. If it is flashing, slow down and stop.
More on what diagnostics reveals and what it costs: Car diagnostics
EPC light
EPC (Electronic Power Control) is found mainly in VW Group cars. It reports a fault in electronic engine management - for example the accelerator pedal, throttle body or a sensor. The car may go into limp mode with limited power. Drive carefully and have the car checked.
DPF light
The diesel particulate filter (DPF) traps soot and burns it off from time to time - which needs a longer drive. On short trips around town it clogs up. When the light comes on, drive steadily at higher revs for 15-20 minutes, for example on a motorway. If it stays on or the car loses power, go to a garage.
Glow plug light
The coil symbol in diesel cars comes on at start-up while the engine pre-heats. Wait until it goes out, then start. If it stays on for long or flashes while driving, it reports a glow plug or engine management fault - garage.
ABS and ESP lights
ABS reports that the anti-lock braking system is not working. The brakes still work, but the wheels may lock under hard braking - drive more carefully and go to a garage. ESP (a car with skid marks) flashes when the system is intervening on a slippery road - that is normal. If it stays on and you did not switch it off with the button, it reports a fault.
Tyre pressure light (TPMS)
A horseshoe with an exclamation mark reports a pressure drop in one of the tyres. Slow down and at the nearest petrol station check and inflate all tyres according to the sticker in the door frame or the manual. If the pressure is right and the light stays on, the system needs resetting according to the manual. If it flashes, a sensor is faulty.
AdBlue light
Modern diesel cars inject AdBlue fluid into the exhaust to cut emissions. The light reports a low AdBlue level - the car usually also shows the remaining range. Once AdBlue runs out, the engine will not restart after you switch it off until you top it up. AdBlue is sold at petrol stations. If the light stays on after topping up, it reports an SCR system fault - garage.
Green and blue warning lights
Green lights confirm that a function is on: dipped and fog lights, indicators, cruise control, Start-Stop, eco mode. Blue comes on with high beam and in some cars also when the engine is cold - drive gently for the first kilometres. None of these is a fault.
What to do when a warning light comes on
Six steps from a warning light to deciding whether to drive on:
Note the colour
Red, yellow or green - it tells you how quickly to act.
If it is red, stop safely
Switch on the hazard lights and switch off the engine.
Find out which light it is
Using the table above or the manual. Many cars also show a message on the display.
Check what you can yourself
Oil, coolant and brake fluid levels (when cold), tyre pressure, AdBlue.
Decide whether to drive on
If the light goes out and the car drives normally, see a garage within the next few days. If not, call a tow truck.
Have the car checked
The fault stays stored in the control unit even if the light goes out. A garage reads it with diagnostics.
Warning lights at the STK inspection and when selling
At the STK inspection
A lit engine, airbag or ABS light counts as a defect at the technical inspection. Fix it before your appointment. STK and EK 2026
When selling
A lit warning light in the photos or at the viewing knocks more off the price than the repair often costs. Fix a cheap fault, state an expensive one in the ad. Car diagnostics
Terms and abbreviations
Abbreviations you will see on the dashboard, in the manual and at the garage:
- MIL
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp The engine light, "check engine". Reports an engine management or emissions fault.
- EPC
- Electronic Power Control Electronic control of the engine and accelerator pedal, mainly in VW Group cars.
- ABS
- Anti-lock Braking System Prevents the wheels from locking under hard braking so the car can still be steered.
- ESP
- Electronic Stability Program Stability control. Prevents skidding by braking individual wheels. Other names: ESC, DSC.
- ASR
- Anti-Slip Regulation Traction control. Stops the wheels spinning when pulling away, often part of ESP. Other name: TCS.
- DPF
- Diesel Particulate Filter Filter in diesel cars that traps soot and burns it off on longer drives.
- AdBlue / SCR
- Selective Catalytic Reduction AdBlue is a urea solution that the SCR system injects into the exhaust of diesel cars to cut nitrogen oxides.
- TPMS
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System System that monitors tyre pressure.
- SRS
- Supplemental Restraint System Airbags and seatbelt pretensioners.
- Start-Stop
- System that switches off the engine when stationary and restarts it when you pull away. Saves fuel.
Do you repair cars?
Do you do diagnostics, servicing or car repairs? Add your service to OZNA.SK in the Technical maintenance category. Listing is free and drivers with a warning light on will find you.
Dashboard warning lights FAQ
What do the colours of dashboard warning lights mean?
Red means a serious fault - stop safely. Yellow or amber reports a fault or a service need - you can usually drive on, but see a garage as soon as possible. Green and blue only show that a function is on.
Why do the lights come on at start-up and then go out?
When you switch on the ignition the car tests bulbs and systems. That is normal. The problem is if a light stays on after the engine starts.
Can I drive with a warning light on?
With a red one, no - stop. With a yellow one usually yes, but see a garage as soon as possible. The exception is a flashing check engine light - then slow down and stop.
What does the exclamation mark on the dashboard mean?
A red exclamation mark in a circle means the handbrake is on or there is a brake problem. An exclamation mark in a triangle is a general warning - the display shows details. An exclamation mark in a horseshoe means low tyre pressure.
What does the oil warning light mean?
A red oil can means low oil pressure - stop immediately and switch off the engine. A yellow one in some cars only reports a low oil level - top it up.
The light went out by itself. Should I see a garage?
If it came on just once and the car drives normally, keep an eye on it. The fault stays stored in the control unit, though - if the light keeps coming back, have the car checked.
What happens when AdBlue runs out?
The car warns you in advance and shows the remaining range. Once AdBlue runs out, the engine will not restart after you switch it off until you top it up.
Why is the DPF light on?
The particulate filter is clogged with soot, most often from short trips around town. 15-20 minutes of steady driving at higher revs helps. If it stays on, go to a garage.
Will I pass the STK inspection with a warning light on?
A lit engine, airbag or ABS light counts as a defect at the inspection. Fix it before your appointment.
Why do different cars have different warning lights?
Basic symbols are internationally standardised, but manufacturers add their own. You will find the exact meaning in the owner's manual.
More car guides
Car diagnostics →
Check engine light, OBD2 and garage diagnostics prices.
STK and EK 2026 →
Prices, validity, what is checked and fines.
How to buy a used car →
Where to look, the viewing, purchase contract and transfer.
How to sell a car quickly →
The whole sale process, from preparing the car to the transfer.
VIN check in Slovakia →
Car history, mileage and service book.
Dashboard warning lights are not decoration - the colour tells you how quickly to act. Red means stop, yellow means a garage within the next few days, green and blue are just information. If you are not sure, check the table above or your owner's manual. And if a light stays on, have the car checked - the sooner, the cheaper the repair usually is.
Published 22.10.2026 · Updated 22.10.2026
Information only - check the meaning of a warning light in your owner's manual.
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