When something goes wrong with your car or a feature is activated, a signal runs through the electrical system to the vehicles control module and then to the associated symbol that illuminates on your dashboard.  These symbols have a wide range of meanings, some dangerous to your vehicle and some just an indicator.
Your dashboard may be different and the symbols might be slightly altered from I am showing you below.  So if you are not completely sure, consult your owners manual.  Some of these lights should not be ignored and are warning you of something very serious going on with your vehicle.  

1. Check Engine Light
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What it looks like:  A yellow submarine, sometimes telling you that it is the Check Engine light
What it indicates: It can either blink or stay solid.  In both instances, it means that something is going on with your engine and you should have a mechanic use a scanning device to read the codes that are being stored in the computer.

2. Engine Temperature Light

What it looks like:  A tiny pirate ship sailing on the ocean
What it means: Your engine is too hot...pull over and turn it off!  Do not open your hood right away.

3. Oil Pressure Warning

What it looks like:  If you were to rub it a genie would pop out and grant you 3 wishes.
What it indicates:  Your vehicle is running low on oil or there is something wrong with your vehicle's oil pressure system

4. Fuel Indicator

What it looks like: A wonky slot machine
What it means:  You are low on fuel and need to get to the nearest gas station asap!

5. Seat belt Indicator

What it looks like: An arm-less man with a seat belt on
What it indicates:  Buckle up please.  If you don't, not only will this blink at you, you will have to deal with a very annoying dinging noise that just won't stop.

6. ABS Light

What it looks like: A fitness weight ball promoting ABS baby.
What it means:  Something is wrong with your anti-lock braking system, which should be diagnosed and fixed.

7. Tire Pressure Warning Light

What it looks like: A man with a tall hat showing you "goal!"
What it indicates: One (or many) of your tires are too low on pressure and need to be attended to.

8. Airbag Indicator

What it looks like: A very pregnant woman relaxing
What it means: There may be an issue with your airbag system or with one of the airbags in the vehicle.

9. Battery/Alternator Warning Light

What it looks like: A cheeky lego head; wink, wink.
What it indicates: Something is wrong with the battery charging system.  This could be anything from a broken alternator belt to complete alternator failure.  The vehicle is running strictly on battery power.

10.  Glow Plug Light

What it looks like: A fun, nauseating roller coaster
What it means: You are currently in a diesel vehicle.  When first getting into the vehicle and you turn the key to the on position this light will pop up and stay solid.  This means that the vehicle is letting the glow plugs warm up.  Do not start the diesel engine until this light turns off.  If you have been driving for a while and this lights pops up, you could have a problem with the glow plugs or the system.

I could go for another 4 pages, but I will stop here.  These are the most common lights that you will see, most meaning that something is wrong.  Found this lovely picture chart below on google that will give you some insight as to what the 40+ other hieroglyphics mean.  If any of the above pop up and you don't know what to do give us a call!!! 619-562-3933  We are here for you!

If you are one of the lucky few who own a vehicle that tracks your mileage between oil changes, then this post isn't for you.  For everyone else, read on to get the know how.  It's simple really...pop the hood, find the oil dipstick handle and voila you look at the marks to tell if your oil needs to be changed.  Which mark is the low mark?  What color should the oil be? Where is the dipstick handle?  Let me break it down for you.  Before you start, grab a cloth that you don't mind getting oil on.

​After you pop the hood and prop it up, you will see a (usually) yellow handle.  This is your oil dipstick.

Next you will grab the handle and pull the dipstick out of its tube.  Wipe it with a cloth, stick it back in all the way, then pull it out again.  Examine where the oil is at on the stick (see image below).  They won't all have the L and F to indicate Low and Full, but the lines will be on all sticks.  Some will have a solid, etched block indicating the between level. 

And that's it.  Simple, yet something YOU can perform to ease your mind.  If you find that the level stays in the Low area after adding oil or having your oil changed, then you might have an oil leak which should be diagnosed.  We are always here to help with any of your automotive repair needs!