
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and
gages on your vehicle. The pictures help to
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that
something is wrong before it becomes serious
enough to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to the warning
lights and gages could also save you or others
from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or
is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
As the details show on the next few pages,
some warning lights come on brie y when you
start the engine just to let you know they are
working. If you are familiar with this section, you
should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Often gages and warning lights work together
to let you know when there is a problem with
your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and
stays on as you are driving, or when one of
the gages shows there may be a problem, check
the section that tells you what to do about it.
Please follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to
do repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
So please get to know your vehicle’s warning
lights and gages. They can be a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information
Center (DIC) that works along with the warning
lights and gages. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 198for more information.
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If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the
airbag status indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has turned off the right
front passenger’s frontal airbag. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 88for more on this,
including important safety information.
If, after several seconds, all status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there
may be a problem with the lights or the passenger
sensing system. See your dealer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the off indicator and the airbag
readiness light ever come on together,
it means that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. If this ever
happens, have the vehicle serviced
promptly, because an adult-size person
sitting in the right front passenger seat
may not have the protection of the frontal
airbag. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 185.
Battery Warning Light
This light will come
on brie y when you
start the vehicle,
as a check to show
you it is working;
then it should go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving,
you may have a problem with the electrical
charging system. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this light is on could drain your
battery and result in a vehicle that may stall.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 202
for more information.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio and climate control system.
188

Up-Shift Light
(Manual Transmission)
This light appears
when you need to
shift to the next higher
gear on a manual
transmission vehicle.
Shifting when the indicator light is on will help you
get the best fuel economy. See “Up-Shift Light”
underManual Transmission Operation on
page 126for more information.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the
other part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a
brake problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come on brie y when you turn
the ignition key to ON. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
United StatesCanada
189

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 133for more
information. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not release fully. If it stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it means you have a
brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push, or the pedal may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light
is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 299.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), this light
will come on brie y when
you start your engine
to show it is working.
Then it will turn off.
This is normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. If the regular
brake system warning light is not on, you still
have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you do not have anti-lock brakes and there is
a problem with your regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 189.
The ABS warning light should come on brie y
when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
190

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the
engine coolant
temperature.
If the gage pointer is near the top of the gage,
the engine is too hot. It means that your engine
coolant has overheated. If you have been
operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon
as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 348for
more information.
Tire Pressure Light
This light should come
on brie y when you turn
the ignition to ON.
This light will also come on when one or more
of your tires are signi cantly underin ated.
A LOW TIRE message will also appear in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), seeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 202for more information.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underin ated, in ate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 377for more information.
This light will ash for 60 seconds and then turn on
solid if a problem is detected with the Tire Pressure
Monitor system. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 385for more information.
191