Dashboard Warning Lights: What They Mean

By the Radman Auto Repair team, independent auto repair in Etobicoke since 1999 · Updated October 2026

A light on the dashboard is the car telling you something, and the colour tells you how urgent it is. This guide explains the common warning lights, which ones mean pull over now and which can wait a few days, and links to our detailed page for each. Radman Auto Repair reads the codes behind every light in Etobicoke and fixes the cause.

Stop Now: Red Warning Lights

Warning Lights Explained

• Check engine light (amber engine shape): Steady: an emissions or engine fault is stored; book a diagnosis. Flashing: a severe misfire; slow down and get it checked now. See check engine light diagnosis and flashing check engine light.
• Oil pressure (red oil can): The engine is losing oil pressure. Pull over and shut it off right away; driving on can destroy the engine in minutes. Check the oil level once it is safe.
• Engine temperature (red thermometer): The engine is overheating. Turn the A/C off and the heat on full, pull over and switch off. Never open a hot radiator cap. See car overheating & coolant leaks.
• Battery / charging (red battery): The alternator is not charging. The car is running on its battery and will die soon; head straight to a shop. See battery light & alternator diagnosis.
• Brake (red BRAKE or circle with !): Parking brake on, low brake fluid or a hydraulic fault. If it stays on with the parking brake off, stop driving. See brakes & ABS light.
• ABS (amber ABS): Anti-lock braking is off; normal braking still works. Usually a wheel speed sensor. See ABS light causes.
• Tire pressure / TPMS (amber tire with !): Steady: one or more tires are low. Flashing then steady: a TPMS sensor or system fault. See TPMS light & flat tires.
• Airbag / SRS (amber person with airbag): A fault in the airbag system; the airbags may not deploy in a crash. Have it diagnosed soon.
• Traction / stability control (amber car with skid marks): Flashing while driving: the system is working on a slippery road. Steady: the system is off or has a fault, often a wheel speed sensor.
• Power steering (amber steering wheel): A fault in the electric or hydraulic power steering; steering may get heavy. See power steering repair.
• Transmission (amber gear or AT temperature): The transmission is overheating or has a fault and may go into limp mode. See transmission slipping & fluid service.
• Reduced power / limp mode: The computer has limited power to protect the engine or transmission. See reduced power mode diagnosis.
• Service due (wrench or maintenance message): A maintenance reminder, not a fault. Book the scheduled service. See oil change & maintenance.

What Happens When You Bring It In

1. Read the codes from every module, not just the engine: ABS, airbag, transmission and body modules store their own.
2. Check the live data sensor readings, temperatures and voltages, to see what the computer is reacting to.
3. Test the suspect part before anything is replaced.
4. Explain and quote what failed, what it costs and how urgent it is.
5. Repair and confirm clear the codes and confirm the light stays off.

Prefer to look up a code yourself? See our OBD-II code lists and guide to the engine light.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Alex Joseph

11:02 10 Oct 26

Alex is a great guy. He took the time to respond by phone and walk me through my options for my Tesla Model Y 2024 and gave me his perspectives as a Tesla owner. Top recommendation in my books for the Toronto area.

France T

20:58 31 Aug 26

I cannot say enough good things about Livio and the team at Radman Auto Repair in Rexdale. We brought in my son’s 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer because the A/C was malfunctioning. We had already been to two other shops, paid for diagnostics, and received different explanations, so we were frustrated and unsure what to do next. Livio was outstanding. He listened carefully, looked at the issue, and explained everything clearly and in detail in a way that actually made sense. He was able to narrow down what was going on within minutes, without guessing, pressure, or recommending unnecessary work. What really stood out was that he did not charge us another diagnostic fee after learning we had already paid for two separate diagnoses. Even better, the work was completed the same day, which was a huge relief. It is rare to find a mechanic who is knowledgeable, honest, patient, efficient, and genuinely focused on helping customers understand the real issue before they spend money on repairs. Livio truly gets it. We are so happy we found Radman Auto Repair and would highly recommend Livio and his team to anyone looking for trustworthy, skilled, and customer-focused service..

Roney Zachariah

04:42 10 Aug 26

My 2015 Honda CR-V was blowing hot air and making noise when the A/C was on. The Compressor and Expansion valve needed replacement due to metal debris in the system. I rarely write reviews, but I felt it would be wrong not to appreciate Radman for their service, especially after what I went through before finding them. I’m writing this one month after the repair because I wanted to test my A/C on multiple long trips before recommending them. One thing I learned from this experience is that many mechanics know how to replace parts, but very *few follow the right procedures* and perform the proper checks. I initially went for a cheaper repair at a local mechanic. The problem came back, and afterward he didn’t seem to know what to do next. I found Radman through Google reviews without any personal recommendation, so I was taking a chance. They properly diagnosed the issue, explained everything clearly before starting the work, didn’t exaggerate the problem, and charged me a reasonable price. A/C issues can be complicated but they answered all my questions and I honestly haven’t had such a good and detailed conversation with a mechanic in the GTA about an A/C problem. Their knowledge and experience with A/C systems really stood out. I also had a catalytic converter issue. Another mechanic simply recommended replacing it, which would have cost at least $2,000. Radman explained that considering the age and condition of my 2015 CR-V, such an expensive replacement might not make sense. They gave me the replacement cost but also suggested trying Cataclean first. I tried it, and so far I haven’t had any issues. After a month and several long trips, my A/C is still working well. It’s rare to find this combination of knowledge, transparency, and honesty. Thank you, Radman, for the knowledgeable and honest service. I genuinely appreciate it.

Moklas Salkon

17:17 23 Jun 26

I fix my cars myself but I always go to Radman for AC work. Been coming here for years and they do great work and are fairly priced. The guys are honest and reliable. Very clean waiting room too!

Alexa De Los Santos

18:30 26 May 26

Finding a mechanic who actually understands EVs and is completely trustworthy is hard to come by, but ⁠Radman Repair is excellent. The service was top-notch, they explained everything to me with so much patience, and the overall experience was a 10/10. 100% recommended!

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