What your dashboard warning lights actually mean

Stop driving: oil pressure and temperature

A red oil pressure light means the engine may not be getting lubrication. Continuing to drive can destroy bearings in minutes. Shut the engine off as soon as it is safe.

A coolant temperature warning is the same urgency. Overheating warps heads and blows gaskets — expensive repairs that often start as a cheap hose or thermostat.

Get it looked at soon: check engine

A steady check engine light means the computer has stored a fault code. The vehicle is usually drivable, but the cause can be anything from a loose gas cap to a failing sensor that is quietly ruining fuel economy or a catalytic converter.

A flashing check engine light is different — it usually indicates a misfire that can damage the converter. Reduce load and get it diagnosed right away.

Codes are a starting point, not a diagnosis

A code points to a circuit or a symptom, not always the failed part. Replacing whatever the code names is how people end up buying parts they did not need. Proper diagnosis tests the circuit before anything is replaced.

ABS, traction control and TPMS

An ABS or traction light means those systems are offline; normal braking still works but the assistance you rely on in snow may not. TPMS often lights up with cold-weather pressure drops — check pressures with a gauge before assuming a sensor failed.