Dashboard warning lights are designed to tell you when a vehicle system needs attention. Colour and behaviour can help you judge urgency.
Red warnings
Red usually signals a condition that may need immediate attention, such as oil pressure, overheating or a serious braking-system warning.
Amber or yellow warnings
These usually indicate a fault that should be checked soon. Examples include check-engine, ABS and some stability-control warnings.
Oil-pressure warning
Low oil pressure can cause severe engine damage. The cause is not always simply a low oil level.
Coolant-temperature warning
An overheating engine should not be driven until the cause is understood and the engine has cooled safely.
Battery or charging warning
This often points to a charging-system issue rather than the battery alone.
Flashing check-engine light
A flashing light can indicate an active misfire or fault serious enough to risk further damage.