The layout of the control lamps of the instrument cluster
1 - Control lamp charge; 2 - Oil pressure warning lamp; 3 - Control lamp of the engine immobilization system; 4 - Control lamp for malfunctions in the functioning of engine systems; 5 - Control lamp for switching on the high beam; 6 - Control lamp for parking brake setting / brake system failures; 7 - Control lamp SRS; 8 - Control lamp for turning on the tempostat; 9 - Warning lamp (or control lamp "Fasten seat belts"); 10 - ABS warning lamp; 11 - Control lamp of the reserve fuel supply; 12 - Control lamp for loose closing of doors; 13 - Warning lamp for loose closing of the luggage compartment lid; 14 - Indicator lamps for direction indicators
Pilot lamps
A whole range of warning lamps is built into the assemblies of meters in the instrument cluster of the car, with the help of which the driver receives important information about the serviceability / violation of the functioning of the main units and systems of the car. The layout of the control lamps on the instrument panel is shown in the illustration. Below, the reader is offered information on the principle of operation of each of the provided light indicators separately.
Battery charge control lamp
The charge control lamp should light up when the ignition is switched on and go out immediately after starting the engine. The inclusion of this control lamp with the engine running warns the driver about a malfunction in the charging system, the battery goes into discharge mode. You should immediately turn off all consumers of electricity, the operation of which does not affect road safety and try not to stop the engine, as an attempt to start it can lead to the final discharge of the battery. The vehicle should be immediately driven to the nearest service station to diagnose the failure and perform the necessary remedial repairs.
Engine oil pressure warning lamp
The engine oil pressure warning lamp should come on when the ignition is turned on and go out immediately after starting the engine. The flashing of the lamp with the engine running indicates a pulsating decrease in the working pressure of the engine oil in the engine. When the indicator turns on, it indicates that the oil pressure has dropped to a dangerously low level, which is fraught with serious internal damage to the engine, up to its complete failure. In both cases, urgent measures should be taken to adjust the oil level, identify and eliminate the cause pressure drop.
Control lamp of systems of an immobilization of the engine
This warning lamp is only available on suitably equipped models. It should light up briefly when the ignition is turned on. The flashing of the control lamp indicates that the engine immobilization system identification device did not identify the ignition key microchip code and the engine cannot be started. The control lamp also starts flashing when the ignition key is turned to the ACC and LOCK positions.
A control lamp of infringements of serviceability of functioning of systems of the engine
The control lamp lights up briefly when the ignition is switched on. If it comes on at any other time, it indicates a possible malfunction of one of the engine systems, including exhaust gas toxicity reduction systems. In the absence of visible signs of failures in the functioning of the systems of the power unit and a decrease in the dynamics of the vehicle, violations fixed by the inclusion of a warning lamp can cause an increase in fuel consumption or an increase in the toxicity of emissions. Ignoring the signals of the warning lamp is fraught with serious engine damage, up to the failure of the unit. lamps. If the lamp does not return to normal operation and remains on, the vehicle should be driven to the nearest service station for detailed diagnosis and necessary remedial repairs. Until the malfunction of the engine systems is eliminated, try to move at a moderate speed, avoiding sudden accelerations with full depressing of the gas pedal.
Note. Even if the warning lamp returns to normal operation when the engine is restarted (i.e., goes out), you should seek advice from a workshop as soon as possible, especially if this kind of lamp switching on is not the first time.
Continued operation of the vehicle with the Engine Malfunction Warning Light on may result in premature failure of the catalytic converter. Remember that failures and damages resulting from the operation of the car with the control lamp on are not covered by the manufacturer's warranty!
Control lamp of inclusion of a high beam
This indicator light comes on when the vehicle's high beam headlights are switched on (see below).
Parking brake/brake failure warning lamp
The warning lamp illuminates continuously when the parking brake is applied, reminding the driver to release it before driving off. Driving with the parking brake applied leads to rapid overheating and failure of the brake mechanisms of the rear wheels of the car and premature wear of the rear wheel tire treads, and in addition, it can cause a malfunction of the anti-lock brake system (ABS) (see below).
If the warning light stays on after the parking brake is released, or if it comes on while driving, this usually indicates an excessive drop in the brake fluid level. One of the possible reasons for the gradual decrease in the level of brake fluid is the normal wear of the friction linings of the brake pads. When the warning lamp comes on, the car should be driven to the nearest service station to assess the condition of the pads and check the tightness of the hydraulic path of the brake system.
A short-term operation of the control lamp also occurs when the ignition is switched on (even with the parking brake released).
Operation of this control lamp at the same time as the ABS control lamp (with the parking brake released), or while the vehicle is moving, indicates a malfunction in the vehicle's braking system.
Additional security warning lamp (SRS)
This warning lamp lights up when the ignition is switched on and should go out immediately after the engine is started, if the lamp continues to burn when the engine is running (in continuous or flashing mode), this indicates a malfunction of the SRS system components. If equipped, the operation of this warning lamp may indicate a malfunction in the side airbag circuits or the automatic emergency seat belt pretensioners.
Control lamp CRUISE for switching on the tempostat
If equipped with the appropriate vehicle, this warning lamp comes on when the automatic vehicle speed control system is activated (tempostat) (see below).
Pilot lamp "Fasten seat belts"
Note. On some models, instead of this indicator lamp, an alarm indicator lamp can be mounted in the instrument cluster (see below). This warning light serves to remind the driver and passengers to wear their seat belts. If the driver forgot to buckle up, an audible buzzer is additionally turned on, which turns off after a fairly short time. The warning light will remain on until the seat belts are properly fastened.
Operation of a control lamp and an audible buzzer does not occur if the driver was fastened before inclusion of ignition.
ABS warning lamp
With the appropriate vehicle equipment, this warning lamp lights up when the ignition is turned on and goes out immediately after the engine is started, thereby confirming the correct operation of the anti-lock brake circuit. The operation of the warning lamp in any other situations indicates that the self-diagnosis system has detected violations in the ABS circuit. The vehicle should be immediately driven to the nearest service station for a detailed diagnosis of the system and the necessary remedial repairs.
Note. When the warning light comes on, the anti-lock brake system is disabled, but the vehicle's brakes continue to function normally, providing the vehicle with adequate braking.
Fuel Reserve Warning Lamp
The warning lamp comes on when there is less than 9.0 liters of fuel left in the vehicle's fuel tank and warns the driver to urgently refuel the vehicle.
Control lamp of loose closing of doors
This warning light warns the driver that not all of the vehicle's doors are closed tightly.
Warning lamp for loose closing of the luggage compartment lid
This warning light warns the driver that the vehicle's trunk lid is not fully closed.
Direction indicator lamps
Two control lamps in the form of arrows have a green glow and serve to check the proper functioning of the corresponding direction indicators. The direction of the indicator arrows coincides with the selected direction of the vehicle's course change. The control lamps operate in a flashing mode with a frequency corresponding to the frequency of blinking of the direction indicators. The rapid flashing of one of the control lamps usually indicates a burnout of the lamp of one of the indicators of the corresponding turn. It is necessary to replace the burned-out lamp as soon as possible so as not to create emergency situations on the roads.
The simultaneous flashing of the control lamps of both direction indicators is usually accompanied by the activation of an alarm.
Note. On some models, a separate alarm indicator lamp is mounted in the instrument panel, which is usually installed in place of the warning lamp "Fasten seat belts". In this case, the control lamp of the direction indicators should not flash when the alarm is turned on.