Matt Peacock, MD of Star Tech in Poole advises on a few common warning lights on your vehicle.

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We have all been there. You start up your car one morning and up pops a warning light on your dashboard. You feel your day may have just taken a turn for the worse.

So, what do you do to ensure your car is safe to drive?”

Firstly, refer to your vehicle’s handbook to identify the meaning of the symbol on the warning light.

These will be specific to your make and model of car. Mercedes-Benz & BMW warning lights tend to be yellow or red, giving an indication of urgency. Red usually warns against driving the car but this can vary from car to car so you should always seek professional advice. Our service team can advise on Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar, Smart and Mini.

Here’s a few examples of common warning lights that may appear.

Low tyre pressure warning light

Most Mercedes-Benz have tyre pressure monitoring systems that will let you know when the pressure falls. This could happen gradually or suddenly in the event of a puncture.

You should only drive your car to reach a place to check and top up the air in your tyres. Drive with extra care and avoid braking suddenly or oversteering as it can be hazardous.

Most petrol stations have an air compressor for checking tyre pressures. Top up the air in the tyres according to the vehicle manufacturer’s specification in your owner’s manual.

If you have a puncture, seek help from your breakdown recovery service or our service team at Star Tech.

Oil warning light

The oil warning light comes on if the oil level or pressure has dropped or the oil temperature is too high. If the oil is not lubricating the engine effectively it could lead to expensive or even irreparable engine damage, so it’s important to act quickly.

If this light appears on your dash, you should stop as soon as possible and turn off the engine. Look under the vehicle for any obvious oil leaks. Once the engine has cooled, check the oil levels, topping up if necessary. If you can’t see any obvious leaks and the light goes off after topping up, continue your journey. If it comes on again and oil levels are fine, get it checked out straight away but do not drive as it could damage the engine.

Battery warning light

This indicates the battery is not charging and it may need replacing or it could be due to issues with the car’s electrical system. If your car still drives, seek out a professional quickly before you end up stranded.

If you do run out of battery life, we advise against jump starting as this can lead to complications in computer software on some vehicles leading to bigger problems. Seek recovery assistance instead.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning light

ABS is an additional safety system that assists you with abrupt braking or icy driving conditions.

If the ABS light comes on alone, you should have normal unassisted braking so you can continue your journey. Take extra care and get it checked out by a pro.

However, appearing alongside the brake warning light warns your brake system may be failing and you should stop straight away and seek recovery.

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These are just a small selection of warning lights. If you are concerned or wish to book a Service, Repair or Mot, call our Service team on 01202 694758.