What’s Up With Dashboard Warning Lights?
Alright, so, you’re driving down Te Rapa straight after picking up the kids from footy and – boom! – one of those mystery lights flicks on the dash. What’s it about? Dash warning lights are basically your car’s way of having a moan. They’re triggered by different sensors and the car’s computers, telling you something needs a look. Most of us see the usual suspects at the workshop here in Hamilton: Check Engine Light, Oil Light, ABS, Airbag (SRS), and a handful of stuff like traction control or engine temp warnings.
- Check Engine Light
- Engine Oil Pressure/Level
- ABS (Anti Lock Braking)
- SRS / Airbag
- Transmission Warnings
- Traction Control
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Overheating/Engine Temp
- Brake Fluid Low
- Big Red Triangle Warnings (always worth a look!)
Most warning lights pop on for a few seconds when you turn the key – that’s just the car doing a bulb check. They should clear out once the engine’s running. If they hang around, there’s probably a bigger issue, especially with the important stuff like airbags or ABS. If something like that stays on, you’ll fail your WOF Hamilton check straight away. Seen it plenty of times after someone’s bounced over a speed bump in Dinsdale or hit a pothole on Rototuna Rd.
Some Other Lights You’ll See
Then you’ve got the “everyday” dash lights – think car doors, boot open, running on empty, high beam, and all those “did you forget something?” reminders. Utes like the Hilux and SUVs like the Nissan X-Trail might show four-wheel drive or overdrive lights if you’ve been down the back roads to Cambridge.
Most modern cars (including plenty of hybrids, and imports like Honda Fit or Skoda Superb) also serve up maintenance reminder lights. These ones usually mean you’re due for a car service – oil, filter, the whole standard checklist. One of our techs will reset the light after we’ve done the job for you. If you want the nitty-gritty, you can learn more about car maintenance lights here.
Why These Lights Flick On
Here’s a yarn from out the back: we’ve seen a Toyota Estima come in from Ngaruawahia with a check engine light, turned out to be a blocked EGR valve from all the short runs, never really getting warm. Mazda Axelas get low oil lights after a leak, and we’ve had a Volvo XC60 where the ABS light came on after doing donuts on a muddy field out Morrinsville way.
Engine lights? Could be a rich or lean fuel mix, bad sensor, exhaust issues – even a dodgy fuel cap can set things off. Oil lights? Often a slow leak or just hasn’t been topped up since last WOF. ABS and Airbag lights… well, don’t muck about. Usually a computer fault, wiring issue, or sensor knocked loose by a good whack, but leave it and you’re risking more than just a fail at your next check.
You can get a read on what’s going wrong with a diagnostic scan – we do these all the time. Want more? Check this out: All car diagnostic lights.
Resetting Your Dashboard Lights Here in Hamilton
We get everything at Grimmer Motors, from a late-model Kia Carnival flashing up every warning going, to a Suzuki Swift that just needs its service light reset after a run out to Gordonton. We’ve got all the gear to scan any make and model, Asian or European, so whether it’s a Peugeot from Tamahere or a Honda CRV from the city, no worries. Once we know what’s up, we’ll let you know what needs fixing and sort your dash lights so you’re good as gold.
While you’re here, we can take care of your regular maintenance as well – new oil, fluids topped up, bit of lube, and whatever factory servicing your car needs. Keeps things running sweet and saves you getting caught out at the lights on Peachgrove Road with the dash all lit up like a Christmas tree.
If your dashboard is throwing up warnings, don’t wait until it’s too late. For quick, no-nonsense dashboard light resets and diagnostics in Hamilton (and folks from out Cambridge, Huntly, even Raglan way), just give us a bell.