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Quiz: How well do you really know your dashboard warning lights?

Buckle up – we’re going to tell you.

DASH WARNING LIGHTS are built into the instrument binnacle of a car. Modern motors are fitted with a number of warning lamps on the dashboard that let the driver know if certain critical safety, performance and environmental features are not working properly.

If one of these warning lights came on, how confident are you that you could identify what it meant?

Take our quiz to find out how well you know your dashboard warning lights.

1. What does this light tell you?
A seat-belt is not being used
The passenger airbag is turned off
Baby onboard
2. This light is telling you to check what?
Oil
Fuel
Washer fluid
3. This light is a temperature warning for what?
Washer fluid
Coolant
Transmission
4. This light is a sign that which liquid is low?
Oil
Fuel
Washer fluid
5. What have you neglected to do if you see this symbol turn on?
Put your seatbelt on
Shut the doors properly
Secure the child's car seat
6. Why might you be likely to see this symbol pop up?
The tyre pressure is low
The oil pressure is low
The brake pressure is low
7. This warning light is telling you to check what?
Check radiator
Check brakes
Check engine
8. What does this light mean?
Go to the gym
Anti-lock Brake System issue
Engage core
9. If you see this symbol it means what?
Brake system issue
High beams are on
Hazard lights are on
10. This light is telling you that...
Wings are deployed
A door is open
The mirrors are working
Answer all the questions to see your result!
You scored out of !
You're a dashboard expert!
You know your tyres from your temperature gauge - and your car will thank you for it. Keep up the good work!
Share your result:
You scored out of !
You're getting up to speed
You know your way around those warning lights, but there might still be a couple that trip you up.
Share your result:
You scored out of !
You've stalled at the lights
Nice try, but you should probably brush up on your dashboard warnings - you car will thank you for it!
Share your result:

How did you do? Let us know in the comments below!

Correct answers and notes:

  1. The passenger airbag is turned off. Airbags can be turned on and off for different reasons. 
  2. Oil. An oil warning light is one of the more serious warning lights. A leak, a faulty pump or too little (or even too much) oil can cause damage to the engine so check the oil level as soon as you can.
  3. Coolant. Overheated coolant means your engine is running hot. If you notice this light, stop the car immediately, as running hot for too long can damage the engine. If your car is consistently overheating, you need to get it looked at by a garage.
  4. Fuel. Head to the nearest petrol station and fill up.
  5. Put your seatbelt on. Always buckle up.
  6. The tyre pressure is low. This light will appear if the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System detects a drop in tyre air pressure. You’ll need to check and inflate the tyre.
  7. Check engine. If this warning illuminates, it’s very important to get your car checked, even if it feels completely normal to drive. This is because it warns of a potential problem with the engine.
  8. Anti-lock Brake System issue. If this light illuminates, there is an issue with your ABS but you should still have normal, unassisted braking, so it’s safe to continue your journey at a slow speed. However, if it is very icy out or there are dangerous conditions which may cause you to need ABS, then you should pull over and call for assistance.
  9. Brake system warning light. Check that the handbrake is fully released. If this doesn’t solve the problem, it may mean that the brake fluid level is low and needs topping up, or that a brake pad wear sensor is faulty. However, it could also be a more serious issue with the braking system.
  10. A door is open. Pull over and shut the door properly.

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15 Comments
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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Kelly
    Favourite John Kelly
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:10 AM

    Legacy issues? Like we want our country back

    236
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    Mute Ger Whelan
    Favourite Ger Whelan
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    Apr 24th 2025, 10:32 AM

    @John Kelly: What country are you talking about?You’ll have to be more specific as there were over 100 of them on this island before it was invaded and occupied.

    15
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    Mute Oh Mammy
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    Apr 25th 2025, 4:25 AM

    @John Kelly: can the royal family still use Freemason house?

    1
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    Mute Wendy Arbour aka Luas Vuitton - Dub Drag Queen
    Favourite Wendy Arbour aka Luas Vuitton - Dub Drag Queen
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:44 AM

    Is he not in the Vatican already?

    119
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    Mute sakk sa
    Favourite sakk sa
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:33 AM

    I am sure now,to be leader in Ireland ,
    One of the conditions to speak unknown / twisted words,with deep hollow meaning irrelevant to the current sh@*t situations.

    136
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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
    Favourite Paul O'Mahoney
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:05 PM

    @sakk sa: English isn’t that difficult to understand if you have enough education and have an ability to learn. There is no such thing as “unknown ” words nor ” twisted ” words , these are used usually used when someone doesn’t have the capacity to understand what words mean.

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    Mute GLxEnHDy
    Favourite GLxEnHDy
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:42 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: The point he’s making is fairly clear, a shame it’s gone over your head.

    21
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    Mute thomas molloy
    Favourite thomas molloy
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:43 AM

    It is speculated that in spite of the diplomatic interactions of public figures that the underlying sectarian doctrines and attitudes still remain strong in the reformation church followers. ie. Anti Catholicism still persists.

    20
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    Mute Fran Ken
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:58 AM

    @thomas molloy: The bigotry is on both sides.

    20
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    Mute Brian D'Arcy
    Favourite Brian D'Arcy
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    Apr 24th 2025, 10:14 AM

    @Fran Ken: Who suppressed who again? Read your history son.

    108
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    Mute Fran Ken
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    Apr 24th 2025, 10:28 AM

    @Brian D’Arcy: History, exactly. Now back to the present.

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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:01 PM

    @Fran Ken: Well said.

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    Mute Jp Cleary
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    Apr 24th 2025, 8:21 PM

    Almost as bad as the Middle East….. 55 years on and not a day nearer to sorting it out. Bonfires and flag burning just around the corner.

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    Mute Truth Truth
    Favourite Truth Truth
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:21 PM

    TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS doesn’t have the integrity, decency or moral compass to speak his own language, no wonder he’s obsessed with Jews and Israel.

    9
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    Mute J Ven
    Favourite J Ven
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:55 PM

    Go to Belgium and have a waffle Mr Taoiseach because you seem to like them a lot.

    5
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    Mute Alan
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    Apr 24th 2025, 8:36 PM

    One poster here banging on about the Irish Sky. Jesus wept.

    5
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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:00 PM

    @Alan: Yep classic jingoistic claptrap, but as time moves on hopefully these types and their little minds die off and we can get on with real issues.

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    Mute Alan
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    Apr 24th 2025, 9:37 PM

    @Phillip Smyth: who says it’s yours? It’s mine as well. And all others who agree and disagree with both of us. The previous poster is right. Jingoistic, nationalist nonsense. No future in it for any of us. The north should seize the opportunity to become an independent state., free of nationalist and unionist dead ends

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    Mute Jb Walshe
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    Apr 24th 2025, 11:32 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: give back your O you soup taker

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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Apr 25th 2025, 5:30 AM

    @Jb Walshe: Well, I do like soup, but more importantly, your post just adds to the point that little minds haven’t moved on. It’s the same with SF they say they are for peace and reconciliation, but in fact, they are just a political front for terrorism, criminality, and the knuckle draggers like yourself. This is my country too and I’ll not be bending to will of supporters of Republican murders.

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    Mute Aidan Collins
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    Apr 25th 2025, 8:12 AM

    Some issues are ‘tricky’ says Benn. Yes, like the collusion and extra-judicial killings? Tricky, indeed.

    3
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