What’s that light on the dashboard?

The engine doesn’t have enough oil pressure: it may be low on oil or the pump may be failing.

Stop somewhere safe as soon as you can and switch off the engine. Once it’s cool, check the level with the dipstick. If it’s low, don’t restart it: call us.

The coolant is too hot. It may be low, or the fan or water pump may be failing.

Pull over and switch off the engine. Don’t open the expansion tank cap while it’s hot: it’s under pressure. Once it’s cooled, check the level and call us.

The alternator isn’t charging the battery. The car is running on what’s left in it.

Switch off anything you don’t need, like the air con or the radio, and come straight to the garage. If you switch off the engine, it may not start again.

It could be the handbrake on, low brake fluid or a fault in the system.

First check the handbrake is fully off. If it stays on, don’t carry on: brake gently, stop and call us.

There’s a fault in the airbag system or the seat belt pretensioners.

The car drives normally, but in a crash the airbag might not go off. Book in as soon as you can so we can read the fault.

Someone isn’t wearing their seat belt.

Buckle up: the warning goes off by itself. If it stays on with everyone buckled in, it may be the seat sensor.

The power steering has failed: the wheel will go heavy, especially when stationary.

Drive slowly, with both hands on the wheel, to somewhere safe. No long journeys: call us.

The ECU has stored a fault code for the engine or emissions.

If it’s steady, you can drive on gently and book a diagnostic check. If it’s flashing, there’s a misfire that can damage the catalytic converter: ease off and stop as soon as you can.

The anti-lock system isn’t working. The brakes still work, but without ABS.

Under hard braking the wheels can lock. Leave more distance and come in to the garage soon.

The sensor is telling you the pads have reached their minimum.

They still brake, but book in this week: if they wear right down, they damage the discs and it costs more.

A tyre has lost pressure.

Stop at a petrol station and check all four against the pressures on the door sticker. If it comes on again, it may be a slow puncture.

The diesel particulate filter is clogged with soot.

It often clears itself on a motorway run at a steady speed. See what the handbook says; if it won’t go out, come in.

On a diesel, it comes on at a cold start while the glow plugs warm up.

Wait for it to go out before you start. If it flashes with the engine running, there’s a fault: come in soon.

If it’s flashing, the system is working because a wheel has lost grip. If it’s steady, ESP is switched off or has a fault.

If it’s flashing, ease off and drive more smoothly. If it stays on, drive carefully and book in.

There’s not much fuel left in the tank.

Fill up as soon as you can. On a diesel, running dry can get air into the fuel system and cause starting problems.

The manufacturer’s scheduled service is due, by mileage or by time.

It’s not a fault. Book in when it suits you and we’ll reset it when we do the service.

It tells you your dipped headlights are on.

Nothing: it’s just for information.

Your main beam is on.

Dip them when someone’s coming the other way or there’s a car ahead.

It flashes with the indicator or the hazard lights.

If it flashes twice as fast as normal, a bulb has blown.