In this guide
Car dashboard warning lights follow a simple colour code, red means stop safely as soon as you can, amber means book a check soon and green or blue means a system is simply on. The red lights that matter most are oil pressure, engine temperature, brake system, battery charging and airbag. Amber lights such as the engine light, ABS and tyre pressure rarely need you to stop at once, but they should be scanned before a small fault grows.
This guide is written by the Mechanics workshop team in Al Quoz, Dubai. Reading warning lights is the start of most jobs we do.
Use it to decide how urgent your light is. Every car is a little different, so your handbook has the final word on your exact model.
What the warning light colours mean
Stop safely
A serious fault or safety risk. Pull over when safe, switch off and get advice before driving on.
Check soon
A fault has been detected. The car is usually drivable with care until it is scanned.
Information
A system is on, such as headlights, cruise control or main beam.
More urgent
A flashing light usually means the fault is happening now and can cause damage.
When you switch on the ignition, most lights come on for a moment as a bulb check. They should go out once the engine starts.
- A light that stays on after starting has detected a fault
- A light that never comes on during the check may have failed itself
- A message on the screen often adds detail to the light
A light on right now? Send us a photo of the dashboard and the car model, and we will tell you whether it is safe to drive.
Red warning lights, stop safely
| Light | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Oil pressure, an oil can symbol | Oil pressure is too low to protect the engine | Stop at once, switch off, check the level when safe |
| Engine temperature, a thermometer symbol | The engine is overheating | Stop, switch off, do not open the coolant cap |
| Brake system, an exclamation mark in a circle | Low brake fluid or a brake system fault | Check the handbrake is off, then stop and call us |
| Battery or charging, a battery symbol | The alternator is not charging | Drive straight to safety, the car may stop soon |
| Airbag, a seated person with a circle | An airbag or seat belt system fault | The airbags may not work, book a check now |
| Power steering, a steering wheel symbol | Steering assistance has failed | Steering will be heavy, drive slowly to safety |
| Seat belt | A belt is not fastened | Fasten the belt |
If the temperature light comes on, read our guide on engine overheating in Dubai for what to do straight away.
Amber warning lights, book a check
| Light | What it means | How urgent |
|---|---|---|
| Engine or check engine light, steady | An emissions or engine management fault is stored | Book a scan soon |
| Engine light, flashing | An active misfire that can damage the catalytic converter | Reduce speed, book now |
| ABS | The anti lock system has a fault, normal brakes still work | Book soon, brake gently |
| Tyre pressure | One or more tyres are low, or a sensor fault | Check pressures today |
| Stability or traction control | System off or a fault detected | Book soon, drive with care |
| Gearbox warning | A transmission fault or overheating | Drive gently to the workshop |
| Glow plug, a coil symbol | Diesel glow plug fault when flashing | Book soon |
| Low coolant or washer fluid | A fluid level is low | Top up when cold and look for leaks |
| Brake pad wear | Pads are close to the wear limit | Book brake service soon |
| Diesel particulate filter | The filter needs a regeneration drive | Follow the handbook or book a check |
If the ABS light is on, read our guide on why the ABS light turns on.
The engine light in more detail
The engine light covers hundreds of possible faults. A scan reads the stored code and points to the system involved.
- A loose fuel cap after filling up
- Oxygen sensor or air flow sensor faults
- Misfires from coils, plugs or injectors
- Vacuum leaks and intake faults
- Catalytic converter efficiency faults
- Emission control valve faults
A code tells us where to look, not always which part to replace. That is why we test the part before quoting it. Our car computer check explains what a full scan includes.
Other common lights and messages
Tyre pressure
Heat raises tyre pressure during the day and drops it at night, so the light can come and go in Dubai.
Air suspension
Messages about height or suspension faults. See car air suspension problems.
Service due
A reminder rather than a fault, but it should not be ignored for long.
Key not detected
Often a flat key battery. Try the spare key and replace the battery.
Why warning lights are common in Dubai
Electrical stress
High temperatures shorten battery life and stress sensors and wiring.
Pressure swings
Big temperature changes between day and night trigger tyre pressure lights.
Overheating
Cooling systems work hard all summer, so temperature warnings rise.
Sensors
Dust affects air flow sensors, wheel speed sensors and filters.
We often see several lights come on together when a battery is weak. A battery test is one of the first checks we run when a car shows many warnings at once.
Why several warning lights come on at once
A dashboard full of lights looks alarming, but it often has one simple cause.
- A weak battery or poor battery connection
- A charging system fault from the alternator
- A wheel speed sensor fault, which can light ABS, stability and others together
- A communication fault between control units
Battery corrosion can cause it too. See our guide to car battery terminals.
What you can safely do yourself
- Photograph the dashboard as soon as the light appears
- Note whether the light is steady or flashing
- Check the fuel cap is tight after a recent fill
- Check tyre pressures when the tyres are cold
- Check oil and coolant levels when the engine is cold
- Look up the symbol in your handbook
- Do not ignore a red light
- Do not clear codes before they have been read and recorded
- Do not keep driving with a flashing engine light
- Do not cover a warning light, the fault stays even when you cannot see it
How Mechanics checks a warning light
-
Hear what happened
When the light came on, whether it is steady or flashing and how the car feels.
-
Full system scan
Every control unit is scanned, not only the engine, and all codes are recorded.
-
Read live data
Sensor values show whether a part is faulty now or the code is old.
-
Test the suspect part
Wiring, sensors and components are tested before anything is replaced.
-
Battery and charging
Checked whenever several warnings appear together.
-
Written quote
You get the codes, the findings and the price on WhatsApp before any work.
How much does a warning light check cost in Dubai?
| Work | Planning budget |
|---|---|
| Inspection at Mechanics | Free initial inspection |
| Computer diagnostic scan | AED 100 to 400 per vehicle |
| Electrical fault diagnosis | From AED 105 |
| Battery replacement fitted | About AED 200 to 1,000 or more by type |
| Sensor or part replacement | Quote after testing |
These planning figures come from our computer check and related service pages. The repair cost depends on the fault the scan and tests confirm.
Can I just clear the warning light?
Clearing a code switches the light off, but it does not fix the fault. If the cause remains, the light returns.
| Situation | Our advice |
|---|---|
| Light came on after a loose fuel cap | Tighten the cap, the light may go out after several drives |
| Light comes and goes | Have the codes read while they are stored |
| Light stays on | Scan, test and repair the cause |
| Light cleared by a cheap reader | Tell the technician, the history helps the diagnosis |
An active warning light can also cause problems at the annual vehicle test, so it is worth fixing before renewal.
How to keep warning lights away
- Have the battery tested before every summer
- Service the car on time with the correct oil
- Check tyre pressures every two weeks when cold
- Check coolant and brake fluid levels regularly
- Get amber lights scanned early, before they turn into red ones
Warning lights on hybrid and electric cars
Hybrid and electric cars share many lights with petrol cars, and add a few of their own.
High voltage fault
A fault in the high voltage system. Stop safely and get advice before driving on.
Reduced power
Often shown as a turtle symbol. The car limits power to protect the battery or motor.
Battery temperature
The main battery is too hot. Common in summer if the battery cooling system is weak.
12V battery
The small battery that wakes the car is weak, a common cause of no start faults.
Our electric car experts page explains what we repair on EVs and hybrids, and what belongs with the brand.
Lights after a battery change or repair
Some lights appear after work on the car. They are not always a new fault.
- Steering angle or stability lights can need a reset after alignment
- Many cars need the new battery registered to avoid charging warnings
- Window and sunroof functions may need learning again
- Tyre pressure sensors may need learning after new tyres
- Service reminders must be reset after a service
If a light appears soon after a repair, tell the workshop that did the work. A quick scan and reset often solves it.
Warning light urgency, a quick guide
| Urgency | Lights | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Stop now | Oil pressure, engine temperature, red brake light, flashing engine light with rough running | Pull over safely, switch off and call for advice |
| Drive to safety | Battery charging, power steering, high voltage fault | Head to a safe place or the workshop without stopping the engine unnecessarily |
| Book this week | Steady engine light, ABS, stability control, gearbox warning, airbag | Drive carefully and book a scan |
| Check today | Tyre pressure, low coolant, low washer fluid | Check levels and pressures when cold |
| Plan ahead | Service due, brake pad wear | Book a service soon |
The airbag light sits in the book this week group because the car drives normally, but the airbags may not work. Treat it as a safety repair.
When in doubt, send us a photo. It takes a minute and you get a clear answer on whether to keep driving.
Related warning light guides
What to send us
Make, model, year and mileage.
A clear photo of the dashboard with the light on.
Steady or flashing, and any change in how the car drives.
Any recent repairs, battery work or fuel stops.
Book a warning light check. Send these details on WhatsApp and we will tell you how urgent it is and the next step.
Warning light questions we get asked
What do the colours of warning lights mean?
Red means a serious fault, so stop safely as soon as you can. Amber means a fault needs checking soon. Green and blue show that a system is switched on.
Which warning lights mean I should stop driving?
Red oil pressure, engine temperature, brake system and battery charging lights mean stop safely as soon as you can. A flashing engine light also means reduce speed and get help.
Can I drive with the check engine light on?
If it is steady and the car drives normally, you can usually drive carefully until it is scanned. If it flashes, reduce speed and book a check straight away.
Why is my engine light flashing?
A flashing engine light usually means an active misfire. Unburnt fuel can overheat and damage the catalytic converter, so it needs attention quickly.
Why did several warning lights come on together?
Often a weak battery, a charging fault or a wheel speed sensor. One fault can trigger several systems at once.
Why does my tyre pressure light come on in the morning?
Tyre pressure drops as the air cools overnight, so a slightly low tyre triggers the light in the morning. Check and set pressures when the tyres are cold.
Is the ABS light dangerous?
Normal braking still works, but the anti lock function may not. Brake gently and book a check soon. If the red brake light is also on, stop and call us.
Will disconnecting the battery clear warning lights?
It may clear some codes temporarily, but the fault remains and the light returns. It can also reset other settings on modern cars.
How much does a diagnostic scan cost in Dubai?
As planning figures, a computer scan is about AED 100 to 400 depending on the car. The initial inspection at Mechanics is free.
Does the airbag light matter?
Yes. With the airbag light on, the airbags may not deploy in a crash. Have it checked as soon as possible.
Can a warning light affect my car passing its test?
An active warning light can cause problems at inspection, so it is worth fixing before your registration renewal.
How do I book a warning light check at Mechanics?
Send a photo of the dashboard and your car details on WhatsApp. The initial inspection is free and you get a written quote first.
