Listen to your car
A warning light can sometimes indicate an inconsequential problem, but it’s risky to keep driving knowing that your car could break down at any time.
The majority of drivers are conscientious enough to drive to the garage and have their car checked out, but it turns out that many drivers choose to ignore the warning lights.
If you fall into the latter category, it may end up costing you dearly. Garage owners are unanimous: when a warning light comes on, stop your car before it’s too late.
The most important witnesses are the most dangerous
The warning lights in your car are not all of the same importance. The oil warning light and the engine warning light are very important and are among the indicators that should make you react immediately. If you choose to ignore these warnings, you run the risk of the entire engine failing, for example, from running out of oil.
Autobutler ‘s partner garages report that they are regularly visited by motorists whose check engine light has come on. When the engine light is orange, it indicates a serious problem, because it means that the engine has been in an emergency state. As a motorist, you must therefore take this warning seriously.
If you ignored a warning light and your engine subsequently failed, don’t expect to be covered by the vehicle warranty, since you, the driver, caused the harm.
It is therefore not only the warning lamps that can take on a red color. Your bank account, too, could be in the red if you’re stuck with an outrageously expensive garage bill as a result of such a problem.
Today, modern cars have a myriad of warning lights that tell the driver that a door is not closed properly, the rain sensor is not working properly, or that he should check tire pressure. .
Some vehicles have more than 30 warning lights, and these many lights undoubtedly contribute to improving road safety.
But this high number does not simplify the task of drivers, who may have difficulty remembering all these witnesses. A British study has shown that as many as 98% of drivers surveyed do not even know the meaning of the most common warning lights. Admittedly, this study was carried out in England, but it is very likely that a similar trend can be observed among French motorists, not to mention that all these witnesses can be very confusing for young drivers.
At the same time, these numerous warning lights can also give motorists a sense of immunity, as a number of them do not necessarily indicate a serious problem. Even if a warning light comes on, it is often possible to continue driving, which means that we tend to attach less and less importance to warning lights that are on. And when, in the end, a warning light comes on to signal a serious problem, it is too late to act.
Not knowing the meaning of the warning lights can have catastrophic consequences. Therefore, when a warning light comes on, it is recommended to check the meaning of the symbol of the light in the car’s service book before continuing to drive, and if the light is red, it is better always stop the car as soon as possible.
Consult the car’s maintenance booklet to learn the meaning of the most important symbols. Always have the service book in the car, so you can refer to it when needed.
If the indicators are yellow or orange, consult the manual to assess whether you can continue your journey. Don’t forget, however, to have your car examined by your mechanic in the near future.
If the engine light or oil light turns red, immediately park the car on the side of the road and call for roadside assistance.
