| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | feels different than usual, or if the vehicle is not |
| Today’s vehicles are equipped with an array of | | | | stopping properly, don’t drive it! |
| warning lights. Of course we’re all familiar will | | | | Note: make sure that your emergency brake is not on |
| the seat belt warning and the door ajar indicator; | | | | or partially engaged, as this will illuminate a Red Brake |
| however, with the automotive industry’s | | | | Warning Light. |
| technological advancements there are a number of | | | | 6) Yellow Brake Warning Light (Padlight): This is an |
| warning lights that can be quite alarming. | | | | early warning system for brake pad wear. Essentially, |
| Following is a Question and Answer Guide on some of | | | | as your disc brake pads wear down, at a certain point |
| the more common Warning Light concerns. Note: due | | | | a sensor is tripped to alert you that you will need |
| to the frequency of the Check Engine Warning Light, it | | | | brakes soon. |
| has a section all its own. Visit | | | | "Can I drive the vehicle, and for how long?" Yes, you |
| 1) SRS Light (Supplemental Restraint System): the | | | | can continue to drive. How long depends on your |
| supplemental restraint system is your Airbag System. It | | | | driving style. City drivers (city driving is generally harder |
| may incorporate a variety of active, passive, and even | | | | on brakes due to the constant stop and go) will likely |
| pre-safe technology depending on the vehicle. Given | | | | need their brakes addressed before someone who |
| that the SRS System is a safety system, it is well | | | | does primarily highway driving. |
| monitored with numerous sensors and automatic | | | | "Will I do more damage to the brakes?" Depending on |
| self-tests. The slightest malfunction in this system | | | | how long you continue to drive you could conceivably |
| illuminates the SRS light. | | | | wear your disc brake pads down to the metal backing |
| "Can the vehicle be driven with an SRS Light on?" | | | | plate, which could then damage your disc brake rotors |
| Yes, at the owner’s risk. There are thousands | | | | and, in rare cases, the disc brake calipers. However, |
| of vehicles on the road without SRS technology. | | | | with many of today’s brake systems, the |
| "Is the airbag going to blow up?" It’s unlikely. | | | | replacement of the disc brake rotors along with the |
| When the SRS Light is on the system is inoperative. | | | | disc brake pads is required or strongly recommended. |
| 2) ABS Lights: The Anti-Lock Brake System Warning | | | | Important: It is better to have your brakes checked |
| Light is another common occurrence in today’s | | | | early to increase the possibility of saving money by not |
| vehicles. The ABS system helps to keep you from | | | | having to replace the rotors. However, many of |
| skidding out of control during braking by limiting your | | | | today’s brake disc pads and rotors require |
| wheels from locking up/skidding. | | | | replacement not due to wear, but due to rust and |
| The ABS system is often integrated with traction | | | | corrosion; thus rotor replacement is often necessary |
| control and stability systems, all of which are designed | | | | anyway. Brake calipers rarely need replacing during |
| to keep you safe during panic stops, wheel slippage, | | | | regular brake work. |
| and handling. | | | | 7) Air Suspension Lights (Airmatic, Air Ride, Hydraulic |
| "Do I need brakes?" You might, but that’s not | | | | Suspensions): Suspension Warning Lights illuminate |
| why the ABS Light is on. The ABS Warning System | | | | when the suspension’s monitoring system has |
| does not monitor disc brake pad or disc brake rotor | | | | detected a fault. Often there is a leakeither air or |
| wear (see the Padlight Warning section below) | | | | hydraulic fluid. |
| "Can the vehicle be driven?" Like the SRS system, the | | | | "Can I drive it?" Sometimes. But if the suspension is |
| vehicle can be driven at the owner’s risk as | | | | lower than usual, and/or the vehicle just doesn’t |
| there are many vehicles still on the market without the | | | | feel rightTow It! Extensive damage could result if |
| enhanced safety features of ABS. | | | | the suspension drops too low while driving. |
| "Why is my ABS light on? How do I reset the ABS | | | | Note: air suspension system repairs are best left to the |
| Light?" These are simple questions with a multitude of | | | | best, state-of-the-art service center you can find, |
| answers depending on the vehicle in question. For a | | | | preferably a dealership. |
| QUICK and FREE solution, follow the information and | | | | 8) Tire Pressure Warning Light: This recent |
| guidelines for Resetting Check Engine Light, and apply | | | | technological development causes quite a bit of |
| them to your ABS light. | | | | confusion. Put simply, if your tire is getting low on air, |
| 3) Low Coolant Light: The Low Coolant Light will come | | | | your car lets you know via sensors mounted in various |
| on when the coolant drops below the coolant level | | | | places depending on the model. |
| sensorgenerally one to two quarts. If this light is on, | | | | "What is the low tire pressure warning light reset |
| there are two primary possibilities. The most common | | | | procedure?" Sometimes the reset procedure is as |
| is a coolant leak. The other is an electrical fault in the | | | | simple as pressing a button. Other times one has to |
| warning lamp circuit. Have them checked out. | | | | set the tire pressures, recalibrate the on-board |
| "Can it be driven?" If there are no major leaks, the | | | | computer, genuflect and cross two fingers. Check |
| vehicle is not overheating (and does not start to | | | | your owners’ manual or call a specialist or |
| overheat), and there is still some evidence of coolant in | | | | dealer. |
| the overflow bottle, it can be driven. If you can see | | | | Note: Local shops and franchises (for the most part) |
| coolant leaking on the groundtow it. When in doubt, | | | | lack familiarity with Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems |
| always tow it! | | | | given that this is a fairly recent technological |
| 4) Red Oil Light On: Stop driving immediately and shut | | | | development. You can refer to How to Reset Check |
| the engine off! If a Red Oil Warning Light comes on | | | | Engine Light, and follow the tips, and suggestions for |
| PAY ATTENTION. | | | | getting it reset. |
| The best case scenario is that your engine oil is a little | | | | 9) Emission Warning Light: This light is similar to the |
| low. The second best case scenario is that there is an | | | | Check Engine Light. Many European models such as |
| electrical issue with the Oil Level Warning System | | | | Volvos have this type of Warning System. It’s |
| circuit. | | | | essentially letting you know that an emissions |
| First, follow your owners’ manual’s | | | | component has failed or detected a fault. Follow the |
| instructions to check your oil. If low, add as | | | | Check Engine Light information and tips to address this |
| recommendedmake sure you don’t see it | | | | particular warning light. |
| dripping or pouring out on the ground, which would | | | | Note: make sure you take it to a shop equipped to |
| indicate a major engine leak. | | | | handle emissions work. |
| If the oil is not low and your engine is making ticking, | | | | 10) Resetting Oil Lights (Oil Change Warning Lamps): |
| knocking, or unusual noises, Tow it! | | | | Whether it’s a Toyota Oil Light Procedure, an |
| If everything appears ok, and you’re a bit of a | | | | Oil Change Warning Light Reset 2005 GMC Envoy, or |
| gambler, it may just be an issue with the warning lamp | | | | the process to Reset 1999 M3 Oil Service Light, all |
| circuit. In this case, get your vehicle checked out at | | | | require a specific course of action. |
| your earliest convenience. | | | | Most owners’ manuals have this information. |
| The worst case scenario is internal engine damage. | | | | You should find it under maintenance or oil service. |
| Note: many of today’s vehicles have very | | | | You can also call your local mechanic, who resets oil |
| sensitive and sophisticated Oil Level Warning Systems. | | | | service lights everyday on a variety of models. A |
| You may be alerted of oil level too high, or oil level too | | | | dealership will certainly have the information; however, |
| low. Again, refer to your owners’ | | | | finding someone in a dealership who can translate it |
| manual’s instructions. | | | | effectively may be difficult. |
| So whether it’s a 1993 Ford Aerostar Check Oil | | | | If the above fails, see the process for Resetting |
| Light, or a question of Why does oil light flash in | | | | Check Engine Light. |
| Saab automobile, PAY ATTENTION! | | | | Note: several European models require special tools to |
| 5) Red Brake Warning Lights: Generally, Red Warning | | | | reset the oil service light, thus it’s best to call or |
| Lights mean DANGER. In the case of a Red Brake | | | | visit a specialist or dealer. |
| Warning Light, there may be a hydraulic brake fluid | | | | Note: This information is not a substitute for your |
| leak. If the brake pedal feels abnormal or | | | | vehicle’s owners’ manual. It is meant to |
| spongydon’t driveTow It! | | | | be a general guide. Always refer to manufacturer |
| "Can I drive it?" If the car is stopping ok, and | | | | vehicle-specific guidelines. |
| you’re a gambler, go ahead. If the brake pedal | | | | |