Common Nissan Dashboard Warning Lights
What they mean and what action you should take
Getting a warning light on your dashboard can be alarming, especially if you have a long or urgent trip ahead of you. Thankfully, most lights have clear meanings and are easily understood and addressed. Take a look at these common Nissan dashboard warning lights, what they mean, and what action you should take.
Oil Pressure Warning Light
Oil is the lubricant that keeps all your vehicle's engine parts running smoothly. When the oil pressure drops, you're at risk of internal damage to engine components. The oil pressure warning light looks like an oil can with a drip coming from the end. When it lights up, it's time to check your oil levels and top up accordingly.
Note: Always wait for the engine to cool before you check your oil levels.
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light
If the pressure in your tires is lower than recommended, you may see a warning light that looks like a flat tire with an exclamation point in it. Take your vehicle to an air point or use your own air compressor to fill the tires to the level specified in your vehicle's manual.
Seatbelt Warning Light
Modern Nissan vehicles all have sensors that tell them when someone is in a seat without a seatbelt. You will see a warning light that shows a person with a seatbelt on, and you may hear a high-pitched chime. Check that everyone has their seatbelts on, and this warning should vanish.
Note: If you place heavy bags or other items on the passenger seats, this can sometimes trigger the seatbelt warning light. Plug a seatbelt in to turn the warning light off.
ABS Warning Light
If you see "ABS" light up, sometimes in a circle, it means that there is a problem with your anti-lock braking system. You can still drive the car as your brakes will still work, but you need to take it to a trusted service center as soon as possible to get your ABS checked. Without ABS, you could slide or slip when braking hard.
Brake Warning Light
A more serious issue is the brake warning light. This may simply appear as the word "BRAKE" or you may see a circle within a partial circle, with an exclamation point inside it. This can indicate any number of problems with your braking system, from low fluid levels to a faulty parking brake. Seek assistance immediately.
Battery Change Warning Light
A problem with your battery can lead to anything from an electrical problem to the vehicle not starting at all. If you see a dashboard light that looks like a car battery, it's time to take your Nissan to a service center. You can replace a battery yourself, with care, but if the fault turns out to be a sensor error, this could be a waste of money. Get a mechanic to check what the actual problem is rather than going ahead with a replacement without further information.
Understanding Warning Light Colors
You can get a sense of how urgent each light is from its color.
Green and Blue Lights - Information Only
For example, you'll see a green headlight indicator when your front headlamps are lit. If you turn the high beam on, you'll see a blue indicator.
Amber, Yellow, or Orange Lights - Needs Attention
These indicate something needs attention, but not necessarily urgently. Still, get it checked out as soon as you can before it becomes a more serious problem.
Red Lights - Urgent Action Required
These mean you need to take urgent action. Seatbelt warning lights are usually red, as this is a serious safety concern. But the check oil or engine fault light may also be red, so take notice of the color as well as the symbol.
Get Expert Help at Gandrud Nissan
For more information on any aspect of your Nissan and maintaining it, you can always speak to a member of the friendly team here at Gandrud Nissan, Green Bay, WI.
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