What do the car lights mean? Now your smartphone will tell you

Our car can let us know when something is wrong. Through the famous witnesses or emergency lights, it is able to alert us of a possible breakdown , from a simple poorly closed door to the dreaded check engine alert. The problem many times, however, is that we don’t know what they mean.

Thus, one of the new functions which will include the next update for iPhone (iOS 17) this could be very useful for drivers. At least, for those less familiar with these symbols that light up behind the wheel.

Currently, most iPhones have the tool Visual search (since iOS 15), which identifies objects in photos and, using Siri’s Internet search, provides information about them. For example, if you take a picture of a dog and want to know what breed it is, Visual Look Up can tell you.

Well, soon Visual Look Up will include a function called Automatic symbol search, who will recognize the little ones symbols which light up in instrument cluster when something is wrong in the car.

From the Photos app, Apple will provide us with the name and a brief description of the icon in question which saves us having to look for it in the vehicle manual or on the Internet.

Visual Look Up is not limited to symbols on the dashboard. He is also able to translate all thecones present in the advice of the car.

Thus, iOS 17 will be able to explain to users what the symbol of the emergency lights means, what each of the options of the air conditioner and what is the button where a snowflake appears, for example.

As we mentioned above, the new iPhone tool could be very useful for the average motorist, who usually doesn’t know what each warning light means. For this reason, they often simply ignore them, which could become a bigger, more expensive and potentially dangerous problem .

According to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, one of the earliest dashboard warning lights was found on a 1933 Hudson. According to the manual, if said red light started flashing while driving over 20 mph (about 30 km/h), it meant the battery was not charging. “At this point, your Hudson dealership needed to check the car’s electrical system.”

So yes, 90 years ago our cars were already trying to tell us when something was wrong. To make up for lost time and past misunderstandings, Let’s review some of the most common dashboard warning lights and what each means:

Although it seems the most dangerous, this warning light is one of the most ambiguous because it concerns everything related to the engine and the emission control system of the car. . The potential problem can be as small as a loose wire, an ill-fitting gas cap, or a worn solenoid. Or it could mean something much more serious is going on at the heart of the engine itself.

If the light comes on and the vehicle suddenly begins to run erratically or makes strange noises, stop immediately and call for towing. This means there is a much more serious problem, such as a misfire that could permanently damage the car’s engine.

The battery warning is easy to decipher because it looks exactly like what needs your attention. Make no mistake if the battery light comes on but the car starts and drives normally. There could be a long-term issue with the battery itself, or potential issues with the vehicle’s wiring, alternator, or other electrical components.

Resembling a thermometer dipped in the ocean, coolant temperature warning lets you know the car is getting too hot . This could be due to a broken water pump, low coolant levels in the radiator, a broken or leaking hose, or even damage to the radiator itself.

These these are serious problems. Like a flashing check engine light, driving an overheated car is not only dangerous, but you could permanently ruin your vehicle.

This indicates that the internal parts of your transmission are reaching a critical point . This can be caused by an overly heavy trailer, low transmission fluid levels, or more seriously, excessive wear on internal transmission components.

An illuminated oil pressure light can indicate something as simple as your vehicle telling you it needs an oil fill. more seriously, it could mean an engine leak or worn parts like a burned piston ring or a broken oil pump.

Driving for long periods with an oil pressure light on is another surefire way to result in big repair bills down the road. Just like gasoline flowing into the fuel tank, your car’s oil level is just as critical to keeping it running.

These little lines at the bottom are meant to symbolize the tire tread of the vehicle. Unfortunately, Things can go wrong if you ride with under-inflated or over-inflated tires.

In many modern cars, tire pressure monitors include a display in the driver’s gauges, or in a menu located in the infotainment system, to show the driver the exact tire pressure at each wheel.

A common error occurs when the driver drives off with the parking brake on, causing this light (or a light that reads “Parking Brake”) to come on. A more worrisome culprit could be worn brake pads, low brake fluid levels, or a problem with your anti-lock braking system (ABS).

This warning is often represented by the front view of a car, with two wavy lines underneath, illustrating what these systems are trying to prevent, which is your vehicle sliding and skidding on the road. Note that the stability control and traction control warning light comes on when the system is on. Step on the gas when it’s raining or snowing heavily, and you’ll most likely see this light come on on your dashboard. It just means that these systems are doing their job.

However, if they come on when the car is driven at moderate speed on dry surfaces, there may be a fault in the system .

It is completely normal for this warning light to come on when the vehicle is started for the first time. If it stays on while you are driving, there could be a problem with one of the vehicle’s airbags, which could be dangerous in the event of an accident. It should therefore be reviewed and corrected as soon as possible.

One of the less serious dash lights on this list. If the light or bulb in question is a headlight or tail light, you risk an accident or a fairly costly fine. . Ironically, the light off indicator is usually depicted with what looks like a sun surrounded by rays. A burned-out lamp or a broken bulb would not be as illuminating.

There are three basic indicators that every person should know and understand. The windshield washer fluid icon is represented by a windshield with a jet of water on it. When displayed, it warns the driver that the car has run out of washer fluid.

The open door icon is usually a top down representation of a vehicle with one or two doors open. This can be rectified in seconds; Close the door or the trunk and you’re done.

Eventually, the low fuel gauge displays a fuel tank icon. This means that you are low on gas and it is time to stop at the nearest gas station. One last helpful tip: the arrow next to this icon tells you which side of the vehicle the filler cap is on vehicle.