One minute you’re happily driving along… the next, a mysterious symbol lights up and you’re wondering:

Is this serious? Can I keep driving? Is my car about to break down?

In Episode 8 of our Tea Room Chats, our technicians, Olly and Andy, break down what warning lights actually mean, and more importantly, what you should do when they appear.

Here’s a clear, no-jargon guide.

What do the different coloured lights on my dash mean?

Modern vehicles use a traffic-light-style colour system to signal urgency.

???? Red Warning Lights = Stop Safely

Red usually means stop as soon as it’s safe to do so. These lights indicate potentially serious problems that could:

• Cause significant engine damage
• Affect braking or steering
• Create a safety risk

Examples might include:

• Brake system warnings
• Engine overheating
• Oil pressure warnings

If a red light appears, don’t ignore it. Find somewhere safe to pull over and seek advice before continuing.

???? Amber/Orange Warning Lights = Get It Checked Soon

Amber (often called orange) doesn’t mean “ignore me.” It usually means there’s a fault detected, but the system may still be functioning. You can normally continue driving carefully, but it does need investigating.

Amber lights are often early warnings. The car is effectively saying: “Something isn’t quite right, please get this looked at.”

It’s not less important than red, just a different level of urgency.

???? Green, Blue & White = Informational

These lights are typically status indicators rather than faults. For example:

• Headlights or full beam on
• Cruise control active
• Certain assist systems engaged

They’re there to inform you, not alarm you.

Two Warning Lights we get asked about all the time

In the Tea Room Chat, Olly and Andy focus on two of the most common lights customers call us about.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light

This light usually looks like a horseshoe-shaped symbol with an exclamation mark inside.

It can come on because:

• One or more tyres have lost pressure
• There’s a slow puncture
• Temperatures have changed (cold weather can reduce tyre pressure)
• A sensor issue has been detected

What should you do?

• Check your tyre pressures as soon as possible
• Inflate to the manufacturer’s recommended levels
• If the light stays on, get it checked

Driving on underinflated tyres affects:

• Braking distance
• Handling
• Fuel efficiency
• Tyre wear

It’s a small issue that can quickly become an expensive one if ignored.

Engine Management Light

This one often causes panic but it doesn't necessarily mean disaster. The engine management light (sometimes called the “check engine” light) usually relates to:

• Emissions systems
• Sensors
• Fuel or air mixture
• Ignition faults

If it’s amber and the car feels normal, you can usually continue driving carefully, but book it in to get checked promptly.

If it’s flashing or the car feels rough, lacks power, or is making unusual noises, stop driving and seek advice.

Modern cars are packed with sensors. The engine light can be triggered by something minor… or something more serious. The only way to know for sure is proper diagnostics.

Why you shouldn’t ignore warning lights

Today’s vehicles are designed to detect faults early. That’s a good thing.

A warning light often appears before:

• A small problem becomes a major repair
• A sensor fault causes wider damage
• A safety issue develops

Ignoring an amber light because “it’s still driving fine” can turn a relatively simple fix into a much bigger bill later.

When it comes to warning lights on your dash - don’t guess.

Google can help — but it can also worry you unnecessarily.

If you’re unsure:

• Call us
• Send a photo of the light
• Pop in for advice
• Book a quick health check

Sometimes it’s nothing serious. Sometimes it needs attention. Either way, it’s always better to know.

At Thame Cars, we’d much rather reassure you early than repair something later.

Safe, Simple & Easy, even when the dashboard lights up

Warning lights aren’t there to scare you. They’re there to protect you and your vehicle. Understanding the colour system and knowing when to act can remove a huge amount of stress.

And if you’re ever in doubt? We’re here to help.

Call us on 01844 21 55 66

Book online here

Pop in to see us on Rycote Lane, Thame, OX9 2BY