April Car Care Series: Dashboard Emojis – Ignore vs. Panic
Dashboard emojis (a.k.a. warning lights) can be straight-up confusing. One day, you’re cruising down the road, and suddenly, a tiny glowing symbol pops up on your dashboard. What does it mean? Should you pull over immediately or can it wait?
Good news: You don’t need to memorize all of them. Instead, think of your dashboard emojis like a stoplight—red, yellow, and green.
This simple system can help you decide whether to hit the brakes, proceed with caution, or keep going without a worry.
🚨 Red Dashboard Emojis – STOP & GET HELP
If a red dashboard emoji appears, it means there’s a serious issue that could put your safety at risk. You should stop driving as soon as it’s safe and get your car checked. Here are examples of the red dashboard emojis:
Battery Emoji – Your car could lose power at any moment. If this comes on, your battery isn’t charging properly, and your car may shut off unexpectedly.
Brake Emoji – This could mean a brake system failure. First, check that your parking brake isn’t engaged. If it’s off and the light remains, get your brakes inspected immediately.
Low Oil Pressure Emoji – This means your engine isn’t getting enough oil. Driving with low oil pressure can cause irreversible damage and even seize up your engine. Take your car to your PCT immediately.
Airbag & Seat Belt Emoji – While these don’t indicate a problem with your car’s mechanics, they do mean your safety system might not work properly in a crash.
⚠️ Yellow/Amber Dashboard Emojis – CAUTION
Yellow emoji mean something isn’t right, but it’s not an emergency—yet. These are signals that your car needs attention soon, so don’t ignore them for too long.
Check Engine Emoji – This doesn’t always mean your engine is in danger, but it does mean your car’s engine isn’t running efficiently. It could be something as small as a loose gas cap or as serious as an emissions issue. Learn more about the check engine emoji here.
Tire Pressure Emoji – One or more of your tires has low air pressure. Check your tires and add air as needed. You might wake up to a flat tire in the morning.
Maintenance Required Emoji – Time for an oil change! This reminder ensures your car stays in top shape, so don’t put it off.
✅ Green/Blue Emojis – GOOD TO GO or ACTIVATED
These emojis are nothing to stress over. They usually indicate that a feature is active and working properly.
Cruise Control – You’ve got cruise control engaged. Easy highway driving ahead!
Headlight Indicator – Your headlights (or high beams) are on.
ECO Mode – Your car is optimizing fuel efficiency. Great for saving gas and the environment!
What to Do When a Dashboard Emoji Comes On
If a red dashboard emoji appears, stop as soon as it’s safe and get your car checked. For yellow or amber emoji, schedule a visit to your trusted mechanic soon. Green and blue emoji? No action needed—just drive on!
Want to learn more about dashboard emojis and what to do if that pesky check engine light comes on?
RSVP for a Girls Auto Clinic Car Care Workshop Plus - Become a Shecanic!
Sign up for a VID Membership (Philly area only) – Members get free check engine emoji scans!
Grab a copy of the Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide – Your go-to car care resource.