What Do Chevy Dashboard Warning Lights Mean?

The sight of one of those poisonous little dashboard warning lights coming to life is both troubling and infuriating and we have all been there. We have all been calmly driving down the road thinking about what you are going to make for dinner when one of these dashboard hieroglyphics flashes on (and oftentimes they are just as confusing as a foreign language). What comes next though? First, you have to figure out what the heck it means, then you have to determine whether it is just minor maintenance or if your new car is about to explode. In the end, it is a big hassle and can be nerve wracking. At McCluskey Chevrolet, we want you to stay safe, so we decided to answer the question, “What do Chevy dashboard warning lights mean?” and outline some of the more important indicators and how to respond.

Color is one of the biggest indicators when you are trying to define what Chevy dashboard warning lights mean. If the light is green or blue, it is informational or indicating that something is on, such as your high beams. When a warning light is yellow or orange it is generally something that you need to address in the near future. Your Low Fuel Warning Light is a good example of this category. If you see red symbols lighting up your dashboard, take your car to a service center as soon as possible.

Brake System Warning Light
This light is one that you don’t want to ignore and may indicate that your brake fluid is low, or that there is a more serious problem. Your safety depends on quality, well-maintained brakes and this light is telling you that there might be a serious problem. If this light pops on, we recommend taking your new Chevy Silverado into a mechanic to get checked out and that you drive it as little as possible until the problem is fixed.

Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
The Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light indicates that your engine is overheating. In this situation, it is critical that you immediately turn off any non-essential systems including the radio and air conditioner as well as your vehicle and allow it to cool down. Do not open the hood until the vehicle has cooled down and we recommend calling a towing service or getting your car to a mechanic right away.

Check Engine Warning Light
If you see this dashboard warning light, it generally means there is an issue within your engine that is not functioning correctly, typically within the emission control system. If the light begins to flash, you should get your car towed to a mechanic immediately.

Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
Probably one of the most common dashboard warning lights you will see, but no less important. This light has a few meanings including low oil levels, an issue with the oil level sensor or low oil pressure. Whatever is causing this light to come on, we recommend getting it checked out. One good way to prevent this issue is to check your oil levels whenever you get fuel in your new Chevy Impala.

If you are still asking yourself, “What do Chevy dashboard warning lights mean?” take a look at your Chevy owner’s manual or take your car into a licensed service technician. Major car repairs can be costly, so it is important to heed the warnings provided right there on your dashboard. If you look at your car’s dashboard and it looks like a Christmas tree, maybe it is time for a new one. At McCluskey Chevrolet, we have a great inventory of Chevy models to choose from, so stop in and schedule a test drive.