Wheels

Dangers of Ignoring Warning Lights

The importance of warning traffic lights. Read out to know why it is essential to take care of traffic lights warnings ...

Quite a few people are so familiar with the fuel light signal on their driver's display that they wait till the very last moment to go to the gas station. But why is ignoring warning lights dangerous, you might ask? While we have all learned our lesson about running out of gasoline, many individuals still overlook other grave lights.

Some car warning lights require immediate action while others are just for information--it's crucial to know the difference. Car safety technology has improved a lot over the years, and it's important not to ignore it.

If you ignore your car's warning flags, it could have negative consequences for the vehicle's function down the road. Keep yourself safe by never overlooking maintenance and regularly scheduled repairs. By taking care of your car now, you can avoid more expensive problems in the future.

Warning Signs for Airbags and Seatbelts

The seatbelt sign is a crucial indicator of whether or not all your car's passengers have properly secured their seatbelts. If the seatbelt is indeed buckled, then the caution light will automatically turn off.

On the other hand, if the airbag sign appears, it means that there's a possibility one of the airbags may not deploy during a collision. Another possibility is that an airbag could inflate without cause, which would put you in potential danger. 

Because both of these events are dangerous, you should take your car to get its airbags examined as soon as possible at your local shop.

ABS System and Brake Fluid Warning Signs

If the brake fluid or braking system caution light comes on, it means your brakes might be malfunctioning - and that's extremely dangerous. This could be because of worn brake pads, damaged sensors, or a problem with the ABS system that prevents your tires from locking up when you try to stop. Properly working brakes are crucial for safe driving, so don't take chances when there's a problem. As soon as the light comes on, park your car carefully and call a professional.

Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)/Check Engine Light (CEL) Warning Signs

The check engine light is a signal that comes on in every car and some motorbikes. The adoption of OBDII technology has made this possible. If the light starts blinking, it means there is a serious problem, and you should stop and park the vehicle as soon as it's safe to do so. This signifies that the computer system (ECU) has found an error with either the emission control systems or the engine when illuminated.

If you don't have a code reader, you won't be able to tell if it's simply just broken sensor; however, not being able to tell by looking at it shouldn't stop you from pulling over immediately and calling for help.

Failure of Power Steering Warning Sign

Hydraulic or electronic power steering is used in modern automobiles since trying to steer at low speeds without it requires a lot of energy. Almost every car currently features a power steering system. 

A vehicle can still be operated safely without a power steering system, but it will require a great deal of strength to steer, and emergency movements may be usually hampered.

Temperature Gauge Warning Sign

A sign that something might be wrong with your car is if the engine starts to malfunction. If you ever see this particular light, it means that the engine is beginning to overheat. The symbol for this looks like a thermometer with wavy lines above it, and there are usually three bars sticking out from the right side of the image.

If you see an overheating warning light appear while driving, it's important to pull over and switch off the engine as soon as possible. This will help prevent damage to your vehicle's components and potentially deadly explosions. If it's safe to do so, you can keep driving with the "heat on" function turned on to help remove some of the heat from the engine. If you detect smoke, however, turn the engine off completely and contact a tow truck for assistance in getting your car inspected by a trusted technician.

If you own an older vehicle, some of the newer hazard lights might be confusing. Even though additional warning lights have been added because of recent technology, many more have stayed the same throughout the years.

Why is ignoring your car's warning lights dangerous? If you choose to ignore these cautionary signs, which are designed specifically to alert drivers of possible issues, you might end up stranded or cause more expensive damage. Moreover, doing this could lead to a fatal accident. Now that you know what warnings to look out for, don't dismiss the next red light on your dashboard. Do something about it!