RACV is urging motorists to familiarise themselves with their vehicle's dashboard warning lights, as ignoring these critical alerts can lead to expensive repairs and potential safety hazards.
RACV Driver Education and Development Manager Silvia Morris said that drivers regularly ignore dashboard warning lights, with many not understanding what the symbols mean or the severity of the issues they indicate.
"Dashboard lights are your car's way of communicating potential problems before they become serious," said Ms Morris.
"Understanding these warnings can be the difference between a minor repair and a complete engine replacement."
RACV has shared a guide to the 14 most important dashboard symbols that drivers should never ignore, including:
- Red warning lights: Indicating serious issues requiring immediate attention
- Yellow/orange advisory lights: Signalling problems that need addressing soon
- Green/blue information lights: Confirming systems are operating correctly
The most critical warning lights include the check engine light, oil pressure indicator, battery warning, and brake system alerts. According to RACV roadside assistance data, ignoring these particular warnings accounts for approximately 40 per cent of all major breakdown callouts.
"Modern vehicles are sophisticated machines with dozens of sensors monitoring everything from engine performance to tyre pressure," Morris explained.
"When a warning light appears, it's because a sensor has detected something operating outside normal parameters."
RACV's guide provides clear explanations for each warning light and practical advice on what action to take, from safely pulling over immediately to scheduling a service appointment.
RACV's Drive School also addresses car maintenance in their six-stage program, which focuses on developing better, safer, more confident drivers and equipping them with life-long skills – like basic car maintenance checks – to help keep them and their car safe on the road.
"We understand that seeing a warning light can cause anxiety for drivers," said Ms Morris.
"RACV's Drive School focuses not only on skills to help drivers be safe on the road but we also go through skills like basic car maintenance checks to help drivers understand what their car is telling them and make informed decisions about when professional help is needed."
The guide, available on RACV's website, also advises drivers on preventative maintenance to avoid triggering warning lights in the first place. Regular servicing, proper fluid levels, and maintaining correct tyre pressure are essential practices highlighted in the guide.
RACV Emergency Roadside Assistance providers are equipped to perform diagnostic tests when warning lights appear and can often resolve minor issues on the spot, potentially saving motorists from costly repairs.
