If you buy a car from Panama City Toyota and don’t know what those icons on the dashboard mean, you’re not alone. The sight of those warning lights is never welcoming. If you’re not sure about what a dashboard light means, be sure to check your owner’s manual for confirmation.
Each dashboard icon or warning light corresponds to a specific car function or system. But, as vehicles get more complicated, owners are often forced to play catch-up. Therefore, if you see a dashboard icon but don’t know its meaning, pass by our dealership in Panama City, Florida. Our experts will be glad to explain all the unfamiliar features of your Toyota car to you. That said, here’s a look at some icons on your Toyota:
ABS Warning Light
Image via Flickr by Rutger van der Maar
The ABS warning light indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s sensor, hydraulic channel, or computer when it comes on. Although braking will still be possible when this warning light is on, the ABS won’t be working optimally. Your ability to bring the car to a stop, more so in an emergency, will be compromised. Thus, it’s best to visit our dealership in Panama City as soon as the ABS warning light comes on.
Check Engine Warning Light
No dashboard icon is as scary as the check engine warning light. Any Toyota owner will tell you that they never want to see the check engine warning light on their dashboard. It often indicates a severe malfunction in the vehicle’s motor, electrical, or transmission system.
When this warning light comes on, there could be an issue with the vehicle’s electronic engine control, electronic automatic transmission system, and even the electronic throttle control. So never second guess when this icon appears on your dashboard. Instead, come to our Panama City dealership immediately to have your car serviced.
Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
Most car owners have skipped an engine oil change at some point. When engine oil levels drop, its pressure will be low. Hence, vital engine components such as the gaskets and crankshafts won’t be adequately cooled or lubricated.
Low oil engine pressure needs to get addressed immediately, lest it causes more severe issues, including engine failure. When the dashboard light appears, the solution is not always to top up or change engine oil. Often, it indicates severe damage to the engine, which requires expert repair.
Red Battery Symbol
Car batteries often self-charge. However, if that fails to happen, you may find yourself stranded on the side of the road because your car won’t start in the first place. When the red battery symbol comes on, it means the vehicle’s self-charging ability is compromised.
The warning light could point to a faulty alternator or starter. Similarly, there could also be an issue with the battery itself or the wiring system. In the days before the red battery symbol appears, the headlights may become dimmer or start to flicker.
Cruise Control Indicator
Not all dashboard icons indicate a malfunction somewhere in your vehicle. Some come on when a particular function gets activated. The cruise control indicator is one such icon. As the name suggests, the icon comes on when you activate your Toyota’s cruise control system. For those who enjoy long drives, the cruise control feature comes in handy.
Automatic High Beams Indicator
If your Toyota’s high beams malfunction, you can’t drive safely at night or in rainy and snowy weather. When working correctly, the high beams indicator is often lit green. Besides, it comes on automatically. Nevertheless, if the icon is yellow, it means there’s an issue in the system.
As you undoubtedly know, nothing is as dangerous as driving around with malfunctioning headlights. You could also find yourself on the wrong side of the law. That’s why it’s essential to have your car’s lights checked by our factory-trained technicians as soon as the high beams indicator shows a yellow light or the beams fail to come on automatically.
Person And Seatbelt Light
Sometimes when in a rush, you may find yourself driving off without buckling up. Once the vehicle is in motion, the person and seatbelt icon will start flashing on the dashboard. The warning icon is often accompanied by an audible alert asking you to buckle up. Although the light doesn’t indicate an issue with the car, it warns you about the safety of vehicle occupants. Nonetheless, suppose it doesn’t show, yet you’re not buckled up. In that case, our technicians in Panama City will be glad to inspect your vehicle for any underlying issue.
Seated Passenger With A Globule On Their Lap
Florida is renowned for its sunshine and pristine beaches, but when this dashboard indicator comes on, it doesn’t mean you should hit the beach with a ball in tow. Instead, this warning light indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s supplementary restraint system (the air bags). So to guarantee you and your passengers’ safety, bring the car to us, then hit the beach while we work on it.
Triangle With A! At The Center
Another dashboard icon you shouldn’t ignore is the triangle with A! at the center. The icon is often accompanied by an audible buzzer and points to either a minor or significant issue. It also tends to accompany any of the warning lights mentioned. So, depending on the dashboard icon accompanying this warning light, it’s best to consult the Toyota experts at Panama City Toyota.
The Gas Pump Icon
It’s a no-brainer that your car needs some juice when the old-school gas pump icon comes on. Unfortunately, many car owners don’t check their gauges and only realize they need to refuel when the gas pump icon starts to flash. Ignoring the alert could see you getting stranded when your fuel supply runs out.
Your Toyota’s dashboard has lots of warning lights. Some are dreadful, while others indicate that the vehicle’s systems are functioning correctly. It’s best to understand what each warning light means. But, if any of the dreadful dashboard icons come on, do not hesitate to contact Panama City Toyota to schedule a service with our experts.
