Home » What Does That Flashing Light You’ve Been Ignoring On Your Dashboard Actually Mean?

What Does That Flashing Light You’ve Been Ignoring On Your Dashboard Actually Mean?

February 20th, 2020

 

If your car dashboard is lighting up like a Christmas tree and you’re pretty clueless as to what it all means, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here are some common things your car is trying to tell you when your dashboard gets lit. 

1. How Far Can You Actually Drive On That Petrol Light?

The adrenaline-inducing petrol light can bring out the thrill-seeker in even the most mild-mannered amongst us. Will you stop at the servo on the way home for work, or will you see if you can push it until tomorrow’s journey? How far can you actually drive when the petrol light turns on? Well, unfortunately, the answer is not so straight-forward. There are quite a few variables that will affect how far you can push your wheels before you stop for fuel (and a servo meat pie). 

The make and model of your car can strongly sway how far you can drive while ignoring that light. Even if your mate swears he can go at least three days with his light on, your car might be a different model, so following his lead may result in you stranded, sheepishly, on the side of the road. 

Road and traffic conditions can also speed up the fuel-guzzling. If you’re driving fast, or in a peak hour bumper to bumper jam, the chances of your car dying is a lot higher. Even your driving style can be a contributing factor. If you have a heavy foot when you accelerate you can use more petrol. Moral of the story, don’t listen to urban legends, or your mate, fill up as soon as you can. Don’t even get us started on the damages driving on empty can have on your car!

2. Can I just ignore my oil light?

If your oil light has come on, chances are you’re low on oil (I mean..duh?). If your light comes on, park your car and check your oil levels (if you’re not sure how to do this, a quick Youtube demo will show you the way). If you check and your oil is low, don’t turn your car back on! Driving with low oil is really bad for your engine. Another reason your oil light might come on is if oil pressure is low. This just means that the pump isn’t moving oil around your car efficiently – which is a problem-o. Either way, don’t ignore your oil light. The more you ignore, the more seriously you might damage your car. 

3. Check my engine? But, like, how?

The check engine light is a pretty scary one. Usually yellow, this light comes on when there’s, well, a problem with your engine. It’s not always super dramatic though, and there are a few reasons why it might be flashing at you. If this light comes on while you’re driving, for safety reasons, pull over as soon as it’s clear to do so. Let your car cool down for at least 10-15 minutes before turning it back on. If the light goes away, you’re good to drive again, but make sure you get your engine checked out when you can. If it doesn’t go away, the problem is probably a little more serious and you’ll need to look into it ASAP to avoid further damages. 

If you’ve pushed your petrol light a little too far, a Nimble Payday Loan can help you pay for rescue when you’re stuck on the side of the road. If your check engine light turned out to be a bigger problem than anticipated, a Nimble Quick Loan will get you back on the road fast!

Disclaimer: Please note this content is provided as general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situations or needs. For advice tailored to your financial situation, it is advised that you seek guidance from an accountant or financial advisor. The above post refers to application software (“App, Apps”) that is not affiliated or associated with Nimble. We do not have any control or responsibility over the content of the Apps. Use of the Apps may be subject to further terms and conditions imposed by the App provider, the owner of the mobile operating system and/or other related parties. Nimble does not endorse and is not affiliated or associated in any way whatsoever to the businesses named in this blog post. The information contained in this article is correct at the date of publication.