Do You Know the Most Important Warning Lights on Your Toyota?

It may seem like a silly question, but do you know what your car is trying to tell you? Your vehicle is constantly running self diagnostics and there are many important warning lights on your Toyota to give you a heads up when something isn’t running quite as it should be. Our experts at Warrenton Toyota in Warrenton, Virginia want you to know that it is important to understand what these lights mean, and also know when a warning light is an indication that you need to take your car into the Toyota Service Center.

Common Dashboard Indicators on Your Toyota

Not every light that lights up on your Toyota is an instant indication that you need to have your vehicle serviced. There are some very common lights that you probably see very often, many that you don’t even think about when you see them.

• Low Fuel Level Warning – This pretty much means “GO GET GAS”, but the amount of gas that remains can vary from vehicle to vehicle. You can consult your owner’s manual to find out at what point this light is supposed to be triggered, but also remember that driving habits and age and condition of your vehicle can affect how long a gallon of gas will last in a vehicle.
• Headlight High beam Indicator – This is an important light to know, because sometimes you need to use your high beams, and other times you may not want to be blinding the other drivers on the road. Knowing that this light is for high beams will help you to ensure that you are only using them when you need to.
• SRS airbag on-off indicator– Most newer Toyota’s are equipped with a front passenger occupant classification system. This means that if the passenger in the front seat doesn’t meet a certain weight requirement, the front passenger airbag will be disabled. This is for the safety of smaller passengers who may not meet the size and weight requirement for safe airbag deployment.

Warning Lights Indicating Your Toyota May Need Service

While there are many lights on the dashboard that are just to notify you of things going on while you are driving, some warning lights are there to let you know something may be going on with your car that requires maintenance.

• Maintenance Required Reminder Light  – This light means that based on the mileage that has been driven on your vehicle, it is time for a scheduled maintenance visit.
• Low Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light – Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low.
• Tire Pressure Warning Light –  This light Indicates low tire inflation pressure. This could mean that you need a little air, or even that you have a flat tire. In order to keep from causing damage to your wheels or putting yourself or others in danger, you should have your tires checked when this warning light comes on.

These are just a few of the many dashboard indicators and warning lights, you should consult your owner’s manual or schedule an appointment with the knowledgeable service staff at Warrenton Toyota in Warrenton, Virginia to answer any questions you may have about warning lights in your Toyota.

*NOTE: While these might be some of the most common indicators, they may or may not apply to your vehicle. Please consult your Owner’s Manual for the most accurate information.