How To Read Dashboard Warning Indicators on a Honda

There are several indicators that may light up over time. Knowing what they mean and how to service them can save a lot of time and stress in the long run. It’s hard to imagine anything going awry after signing a lease on a new Honda Civic, but normal wear and tear happens, even on those smooth Los Angeles roads.

Check Engine

One of the most important indicators that might pop up is the check engine light. It looks a little like a two year old’s drawing of a helicopter, or for the more advanced eye—an engine. This could be coming on for any number of reasons, but it’s always something that should be serviced right away. Take it into a trusted mechanic or repair shop and have it looked at immediately. Because the engine light can turn on for such a broad number of reasons, they will have to do an initial scan to figure out what’s wrong. Depending on traffic at the repair shop, this may take a few days, so it’s best to drop the car off sooner than later.

Charging System

The battery light might come on after a period of time. It looks like a little box with a plus and minus sign on either side. This usually has a pretty straight forward explanation. The issue lays with the voltage and the alternator belt. If the light is on while the car is in motion, then most likely the alternator belt is broken, and the battery is struggling to charge itself. Either way, this should be serviced immediately.

Low Oil Pressure

If the low oil pressure light (which looks like a dripping lamp) ever comes on while driving, assess the situation. If the vehicle is going at a low speed, it might just be a faulty sensor. If the light stays on no matter what, then the vehicle should be taken to the nearest shop as soon as possible. It could be coming on simply because there’s low oil, but there are also some more threatening causes. It could be coming on from a leaking gasket, a serious engine problem, or a faulty oil pump. If the car becomes very loud, then immediately pull over and call for a tow truck instead.

Brake System

The brake light is the easiest one to identify. It says “BRAKE” in all capital letters. If this comes on, try not to freak out. This doesn’t mean the brakes are going to fail, sending the driver off a cliff or into a busy intersection, however if it’s not tended to, it may. This means that the brakes need to be serviced, most commonly it’s that the brake fluid is low. Take it in as soon as possible and have the fluid topped off.

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