7 Dashboard Lights You Don’t Want to Ignore (updated)

How awesome would it be if we humans had warning dashboard lights that would glow when something is wrong with our bodies? If blood pressure too high or too low – the BP light turns on. Aha! It’s clear what I need. I’ll immediately take medicine to adjust the pressure and go visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Although there are no lights, our bodies have their ways of showing some symptoms. But it’s not always easy to interpret them. Even a common headache can have hundreds of reasons that only doctors are able to determine.

That’s why you should appreciate the fact that your car has all those dashboard lights. They may sometimes seem annoying, but at least you get to know how bad the problem is and where to search for it.

Of course, not every tiny little issue is registered by dashboard lights. If it were, imagine all the mess in your head! If there was so much information, we might as well be driving an airplane.

But there are a few lights that are essential to acknowledge. That’s why we decided to help you learn what to do when they come on.

If one of these lights comes on, it is important to have the problem addressed promptly to ensure the safe operation of your vehicle. In some cases, it may be a simple issue that can be easily fixed, while in other cases, it may indicate a more serious problem that requires professional attention.

Just one more remark before we dive in:
Never panic. However serious these problems may be, this is not a reason to crush the brake pedal. There’s no place for panic when you’re in traffic. Drive carefully and slowly until the first opportunity to pull over safely.

Nissan Leaf

First introduced in 2010, the Nissan LEAF is an all-electric vehicle (EV). It is one of the first mass-produced electric cars and has become one of the best-selling EVs in the world. The LEAF is a compact five-door hatchback that offers practicality, comfort, and an eco-friendly driving experience.

The LEAF runs on a lithium-ion battery pack that powers an electric motor, producing instant torque and smooth, quiet operation. Depending on the model, the LEAF can have a range of up to about 226 miles on a single charge. Charging can be done through a conventional household outlet, a level 2 charging station, or a fast charger, allowing for convenient and flexible charging options.

In terms of design, the LEAF has a sleek, aerodynamic look, with a spacious interior and innovative features such as a floating infotainment screen and an electronic shifter. The LEAF also offers a range of advanced safety technologies, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning.

Common Nissan Leaf Dashboard Lights

1) Engine or service engine soon light

This light doesn’t specify the nature of the problem. It just indicates that something is wrong with the engine. It can be related to emission, exhaust system, loose gas cap, or even failed spark plugs. The engine is the heart of a car. Just like with a human heart, all kinds of issues within other organs can affect its functionality.

Not all of these repairs are expensive. But you won’t know exactly where the problem lives until you visit the mechanic.

Depending on the type of fault, this light can be flashing, steady, or even different colors like the traffic lights.

If the light is flashing, find an exit, stop the car, and call a mechanic or a towing service, because you won’t be able to solve this on your own, and it’s usually a more serious issue that can cause damage if you continue to drive for too long. If it’s solid, either amber or red, make an appointment to have it looked at as soon as possible. There is only one engine light and if you leave it too long you won’t know if something else is going wrong in addition to the original cause that turned the light on first.

2) Power Limit warning light

The Power Limit warning light illuminates when the LEAF’s power is limited. This can be due to several factors, such as a low battery level or a problem with the power system. If the Power Limit warning light comes on, do the following:

• Check the battery level: The most common cause of a Power Limit warning light is a low battery level. If the battery level is low, you should try to find a charging station and charge the battery as soon as possible.
• Check for system issues: If the battery level is not the problem, it is possible that there is a problem with the power system.
• Drive cautiously: If the Power Limit warning light is on, it is important to drive cautiously and avoid high-speed driving or heavy acceleration. This will help to conserve battery power and avoid further damage to the vehicle’s power system.
• Get help: If you are unable to determine the cause of the Power Limit warning light, or if the light remains on despite your attempts to resolve the issue, it is important to seek professional help. A qualified EV technician can diagnose the problem and repair any issues that may be affecting the power system.

3) Oil pressure light

Things aren’t simply here either.
There are two options, basically.
Either the engine has run low on oil, or there is not enough oil pressure.
The oil level is easy to check with the built-in dipstick on most vehicles. With the vehicle off, you should pull it out, wipe it off and put it back in. After you bring the stick back out again, you should be able to see if the level matches the mark engraved on the dipstick. Replenishing the level is simple, just find the oil cap on top of the engine and add the oil (see your owner’s manual for details about the type of oil and where to add it). Some newer vehicles, such as BMW, do not have oil dipsticks, its monitored by an onboard computer. In this case, you check the level through your dashboard information display, you will have to consult your owner’s manual for directions.

If the dashboard lamp doesn’t go off even after you have confirmed and remedied any oil level issues, then the pressure is the issue. Pouring more oil won’t solve the problem, and driving could be dangerous.

Another indicator of low oil pressure is if your motor sounds particularly noisy.

So, just call a towing company and go to your mechanic.

4) Tire pressure light

This one either reads TPMS (which is an acronym for Tire Pressure Monitoring System) or looks like a tire with an exclamation mark.
It is much harder to control the car with under- or overinflated tires, which might have disastrous effects. So when this light goes on, the first thing you gotta do is, of course, to stop the car and inspect all the tires with a gauge.

But how do you know which pressure is best for your tires?
Here is the catch. The number embedded in the tire itself is not the recommended pressure – it is the maximum pressure.
You should look for the info engraved on your door jamb, or in your owner’s manual, as every car model has its own standards.

So, you will have to inflate and carefully observe how quickly the tire is going to leak again. Depending on the severity of the damage, you might want to tow to the nearest service or try to plug the tire by yourself. The latter is, of course, just a temporary solution.

Just like anything in life, prevention is the best cure. Inspect your tire pressure regularly, which means on a monthly basis. This warning light’s purpose isn’t to remind you to inflate your tires, but to warn you that you mustn’t go on.

5) Battery light

The LEAF’s battery charge warning indicator lights up when the battery is low and needs to be charged. as soon as possible.

• Find a charging station via the NissanConnect EV app and plug in the Nissan LEAF to recharge the battery.
• Depending on the level of the battery, it may take several hours to fully charge the battery.
• Drive cautiously to conserve battery power and avoid any potential range anxiety.

6) Regenerative braking system warning light

The regenerative braking system captures energy from the brakes and converts it into electricity that is stored in the battery, helping to conserve energy and improve the vehicle’s overall range. If the RBS light comes on, make sure that the brakes are functioning properly. If the brake pedal feels soft or if the brakes are making unusual noises, it is important to seek professional help and have the brake system inspected by a Nissan dealer or a qualified EV technician.

7) Airbag light or SRS

Although this light will not prevent you from driving your vehicle, the airbag or Safety Restraint System will not function in case of a vehicle collision.
This light indicates a problem with airbags or safety restraints.

The only thing you can do when this light comes on is take it in for an inspection. Newer vehicles come with many safety components, crash sensors, modules and so on, each is vital and can save a life.

This is a safety question, so check it out with a mechanic as soon as possible.

… Plus a zillion other lights…

The reason why people tend to ignore the dashboard lights is that there is a bunch of them and understanding them demands some effort on your side.pakme
There is an ABS light, which means that your anti-lock braking system is not operating correctly. The hazard triangle warning means that your four-way signals are on. Beams, fuel, front fog lights, windscreen washer fluid, windscreen defrost, rear window defrost… So many of them that we must give up explaining each and every one.

Just kidding. There is no need for that, as those lights don’t indicate a problem. Their sole purpose is to remind you that every function should be turned off when not necessary anymore.
Contact CRS Automotive Hamilton if you are concerned or even curious about any dashboard lights on your vehicle!