Car Dashboard Symbols: What Red, Yellow, Green and Blue Lights Tell Kingston Drivers
Car dashboard symbols use colour to show how quickly to act. CAA-Quebec's guide to dashboard warning lights, updated September 30, 2025, groups red lights with danger that needs action now, orange or yellow lights with problems to deal with soon, and green or blue lights with information.
With a red warning light, find a safe place to stop first, then read that light's entry in your owner's manual. Jim Thompson Chrysler suggests that order for every red warning light that points to a fault.
FCA Canada's 2026 owner's manuals for four vehicles, the Dodge Durango, Chrysler Pacifica, Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee, list their lights by colour, most with an entry of their own.
If anyone is in danger after a light comes on, call 911 first. This guide leaves out reset steps and code readings.
Key Takeaways
Car dashboard symbols signal urgency by colour, from red for danger to green or blue for information. CAA-Quebec's guide to dashboard warning lights, updated September 30, 2025, says of green and blue lights: "No need to worry—you can keep driving safely."
FCA Canada's 2026 Durango, Pacifica, Ram 1500 and Grand Cherokee manuals list the oil pressure, coolant temperature, brake, battery charge and air bag lights under red. For the oil pressure light, the 2026 Durango, Pacifica and Grand Cherokee manuals say to "stop the vehicle, shut off the engine as soon as possible" if it turns on while driving.
Yellow car warning lights leave room to plan a check but not to forget one, so Jim Thompson Chrysler in Kingston suggests sending a service request while the light is new. CAA-Quebec's guide says of orange and yellow lights: "You can still drive your vehicle briefly, but ignoring them increases risks."
Warning lights that glow at engine start and then go out are part of a normal check. Ontario's Ministry of Transportation Driver's Handbook lists "Illuminated dashboard warning lights during engine start, then going out" among the things to look for from the driver's seat before driving.
A sharp turn to cold weather in Kingston can bring on the tire pressure light, and some vehicles show a blue temperature light until the engine warms. Transport Canada's page on tire pressure monitors, modified in 2021, names a big swing in outdoor temperature as a possible trigger, and CAA-Quebec's guide says a blue temperature light means "the engine hasn't reached optimal temperature yet—accelerate gradually."
How Do Car Dashboard Symbols Use Colour to Signal Urgency?
Car dashboard symbols use colour as the first sign of how urgent a warning is, with red at the urgent end and green or blue at the calm end, in CAA-Quebec's guide to dashboard warning lights.
CAA-Quebec's guide lists low oil, an engine running hot and failing brakes among its red examples, while its orange and yellow examples include engine trouble, washer fluid and low tire pressure.
The four 2026 FCA Canada manuals work by heading instead: red warning lights, yellow warning lights, then yellow, green, white and blue indicator lights, with a gray heading added in the 2026 Grand Cherokee manual and a drive mode heading in the Ram 1500 manual. No orange or amber heading appears in any of the four.
Symbols and colours also change from one vehicle to another: CAA-Quebec's guide says "Dashboard warning lights vary by car model," the 2026 Durango, Pacifica and Grand Cherokee manuals note that "Some telltales are optional or model specific and may not appear," and the 2026 Ram 1500 manual says "Some telltales are optional and may not appear."
The four 2026 FCA Canada manuals also call a dashboard light a "telltale."
A Yellow Symbol on Bath Road
Driving home west along Bath Road, you notice a yellow symbol beside the speedometer: a tire outline with an exclamation mark inside.
Yellow, not red: you turn into the next parking lot with room to stop.
With the engine off, you find the tire pressure entry in the owner's manual and walk around the vehicle to look at each tire.
At home, you send a service request with a note on when the light came on.
How Do FCA Canada's 2026 Manuals Sort Car Dashboard Symbols?
FCA Canada's 2026 manuals for the Durango, Pacifica, Ram 1500 and Grand Cherokee sort car dashboard symbols by colour heading, most with an entry of their own. None of the four defines red or yellow in general, so the instruction to follow is the one printed under that light's name.
Lights in FCA Canada's 2026 Dodge Durango, Chrysler Pacifica, Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee owner's manuals, read October 26, 2026; your vehicle's lights and steps may differ.
Light | Heading in the four 2026 manuals | What the 2026 Durango manual says |
|---|---|---|
Oil pressure warning light | Red warning lights | Stop the vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible |
Engine coolant temperature warning light | Red warning lights | Safely pull over and stop the vehicle |
Brake warning light | Red warning lights | Have the vehicle checked immediately |
Battery charge warning light | Red warning lights | If it stays on with the engine running, have it checked as soon as possible |
Air bag warning light | Red warning lights | Have the air bag system inspected as soon as possible |
Electric power steering fault light | Red warning lights | Have it serviced as soon as possible |
Electronic throttle control light | Red warning lights | Service as soon as possible; immediate service if it flashes |
Seat belt reminder | Red warning lights | A driver or passenger seat belt is unbuckled |
Check engine light (malfunction indicator) | Yellow warning lights | Service if it stays on through "several typical driving styles"; immediate service if it flashes |
ABS warning light | Yellow warning lights | Service as soon as possible |
Tire pressure (TPMS) light | Yellow warning lights | Stop and check the tires as soon as possible |
High beam indicator | Blue indicator lights | Information: the high beams are on |
How Should You Respond to a Red Warning Light?
Respond to a red warning light by getting to a safe place and stopping, and only then reading that light's entry in the owner's manual. Jim Thompson Chrysler puts the safe stop first for every red warning light that points to a fault, because the four 2026 FCA Canada manuals pair the oil pressure, coolant temperature and brake warnings with instructions to stop or to have the vehicle checked immediately.
Oil Pressure Warning Light
The oil pressure warning light signals low engine oil pressure, according to the 2026 Durango, Pacifica and Grand Cherokee manuals, and CAA-Quebec's guide describes its symbol as an oil can.
If the oil pressure light turns on while driving, the 2026 Durango, Pacifica and Grand Cherokee manuals say to "stop the vehicle, shut off the engine as soon as possible," and add: "Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected."
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
The engine coolant temperature warning light warns of an overheated engine, and the four 2026 FCA Canada manuals say that if it turns on while driving, "safely pull over and stop the vehicle."
CAA-Quebec's guide starts with the same step, "Stop the vehicle safely," and lists red as the coolant light's main colour, with orange or blue on some models.
Brake Warning Light
The red brake warning light calls for an immediate check in the four 2026 FCA Canada manuals, which add: "If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is necessary."
In CAA-Quebec's guide, which lists the brake light in red or orange, "A red circle with an exclamation mark means brake system failure."
If a red brake light stays on once the parking brake is released, stop safely and ask your roadside assistance provider about a tow rather than driving to a service department; the four 2026 FCA Canada manuals warn that a lit red brake light makes driving dangerous.
Battery Charge Warning Light
The four 2026 FCA Canada manuals say the battery charge warning light "will illuminate when the battery is not charging properly," and all four list it under red warning lights. If the battery charge light stays on with the engine running, the four 2026 FCA Canada manuals say "there may be a malfunction with the charging system" and to have it looked at as soon as possible.
CAA-Quebec's guide also shows the charging light in red and warns that if the charging system fails, "all electrical assistance could stop working." Treat the battery charge light like the oil pressure and coolant lights: safe stop first.
Air Bag Warning Light
The air bag warning light signals a fault with the air bag system, and the four 2026 FCA Canada manuals call for an inspection as soon as possible when the light is "either not on during startup, stays on, or turns on while driving."
CAA-Quebec's guide lists the air bag light as yellow or red.
Power Steering and Seat Belt Lights
For an electric power steering fault, which sits under red, the four 2026 FCA Canada manuals warn: "Continued operation with reduced assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others."
The seat belt reminder, also red in the four 2026 FCA Canada manuals, means a driver or passenger belt is unbuckled, and CAA-Quebec's guide shows the seat belt light in yellow or red.
When Anyone Is in Danger
Anyone hurt or in danger needs 911 first, and a vehicle that cannot be driven needs a tow arranged through your roadside assistance provider.
Calling our service department, sending a service request and Signature Service are not emergency help.
What Do Yellow Car Warning Lights Mean?
Yellow car warning lights mean problems to deal with soon, in CAA-Quebec's guide to dashboard warning lights. CAA-Quebec's guide says of orange and yellow lights: "You can still drive your vehicle briefly, but ignoring them increases risks."
Low fuel and low washer fluid also sit under yellow warning lights in the four 2026 FCA Canada manuals.
Check Engine Light
CAA-Quebec's guide gives the check engine light two colours, yellow and red, while the four 2026 FCA Canada manuals list it under yellow.
A flashing check engine light is the urgent case: the 2026 Durango manual calls for immediate service when it flashes, so stop safely first.
ABS Light
With the ABS light on, the 2026 Durango manual says the anti-lock part of the brake system is not working, while the conventional brakes keep operating if the red brake light is off. CAA-Quebec's guide shows the ABS light in yellow or orange.
Tire Pressure Light
The tire pressure light shows a tire outline with an exclamation mark inside, and CAA-Quebec's guide says it means "one or more tires have low air pressure."
The 2026 Durango manual says to stop and check your tires as soon as possible when the tire pressure light comes on.
Tire rotations, oil changes and air filter work are among the routine jobs listed on our Service Centre page.
When a yellow light stays on, the No-Wrench Inspection page lists the dashboard warnings our service team can help investigate, with the check engine light first.
What Are Green, White and Blue Indicator Lights Telling You?
Green and blue lights report information or a feature that is switched on, in CAA-Quebec's guide.
In the 2026 Durango manual, green indicator lights include cruise control set, headlights on, the turn signals and ECO mode, and white ones include cruise control ready, adaptive cruise control ready and valet mode.
Blue holds a single light in the four 2026 FCA Canada manuals: the high beam indicator, which shows the high beams are on.
Should Dashboard Lights Glow at Start-Up and Then Go Out?
Yes, a dashboard light that glows at start-up and then goes out is part of a normal check: Ontario's Ministry of Transportation Driver's Handbook lists "Illuminated dashboard warning lights during engine start, then going out" among the things to look for before driving.
Transport Canada's 2014 "Be Bright Like the Warning Light!" page explains that some warning lights come on for a moment at engine start to show they are working, and it adds: "You should not be alarmed when this happens."
The four 2026 FCA Canada manuals give the air bag warning light a set length for its check: it "will turn on for four to eight seconds as a bulb check."
The 2026 Durango manual says the red brake light should turn off after its start-up check "unless the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected."
Which Car Dashboard Symbols Show Up When Kingston Turns Cold?
When Kingston turns cold, the tire pressure light can come on with the change in temperature, and vehicles that have a blue temperature light can show it until the engine warms.
Transport Canada's page on tire pressure monitors, modified in 2021, says a big change in outside air temperature can set off the warning.
On some vehicles, a blue temperature light is part of a cold start: CAA-Quebec's guide lists blue as a coolant temperature colour on some models and says that, when the light is blue, "the engine hasn't reached optimal temperature yet—accelerate gradually."
A yellow light that shows up in a November cold snap is worth handling in November: Transport Canada's 2014 "Be Bright Like the Warning Light!" page warns that "Waiting to do repairs can be costly—and even dangerous."
When Should Our Service Team Look at a Warning Light?
Our service team should look at a warning light that stays on as soon as you can arrange it, once the vehicle is safe to drive or has been towed in. Transport Canada's 2014 "Be Bright Like the Warning Light!" page asks for the problem to be diagnosed and repaired "without delay."
For a yellow light on a vehicle that drives normally, start with our Request Service form and the day you would like. Our service team then contacts you to confirm whether that day works.
A Photo and a Few Notes
A short record of the light makes the first conversation with our service team quicker:
The colour of the light and what the symbol looked like
A photo of the symbol, taken only while parked
Whether it was steady or flashing, and whether it has come back since
If you are unsure which symbol it was, describe it to our team through our contact page.
JTC Signature Service When the Vehicle Is Safe to Drive
Need a yellow warning light looked at but do not have time to sit at the dealership? Ask about JTC Signature Service, available within Kingston city limits only.
We can pick up your vehicle, leave you with a loaner when one is available, complete the service, and return your vehicle so you can keep working or enjoy your day.
You can arrange Signature Service Monday through Friday. In order, the five parts of a visit are:
We pick up your vehicle
We leave you a loaner to use, when one is available
We bring your vehicle to the dealership for service
We return your serviced vehicle
We collect the loaner, if you were given one
You keep your workday instead of losing it to a waiting room.
Signature Service loaners are subject to availability and not guaranteed, same-day pick-up is possible when space permits, and you arrange the visit by phone ahead of time.
Keep Signature Service for a vehicle you can drive safely, such as one with a steady check engine light and no change in how it drives. With a red warning light, the safe stop and any tow from roadside assistance happen first; Signature Service is not emergency help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Red Always More Urgent Than Yellow on a Dashboard?
No, not always: CAA-Quebec's guide to dashboard warning lights puts red with danger and yellow with problems for soon, but a flashing check engine light is urgent although FCA Canada's 2026 Durango, Pacifica, Ram 1500 and Grand Cherokee owner's manuals list it under yellow. The 2026 Durango manual calls for immediate service when the check engine light flashes.
How Soon Should a Warning Light That Stays On Be Looked At?
Without delay: Transport Canada's 2014 "Be Bright Like the Warning Light!" page says to follow the owner's manual's instructions when a light stays on while driving, and to have a dealer or licensed repair facility diagnose and repair the problem "without delay." For a red light that signals a fault, Jim Thompson Chrysler in Kingston suggests a safe stop first.
Why Does the Tire Pressure Light Come On When It Gets Cold?
Cold weather can trigger the tire pressure light: Transport Canada's page on tire pressure monitors says a big change in outside air temperature can set off the warning. CAA-Quebec's guide to dashboard warning lights says the tire pressure light means "one or more tires have low air pressure," so check the tires and request service if it stays on.
Is a Yellow Warning Light Safe to Ignore?
No: CAA-Quebec's guide to dashboard warning lights says "You can still drive your vehicle briefly, but ignoring them increases risks," and adds that the issues behind orange and yellow lights can turn dangerous if left alone. A yellow warning light is a reason to request service soon, online or by calling our service department.
Why Is the Temperature Light Blue on Some Cars?
On cars that have a blue temperature light, it means the engine has not warmed up yet: CAA-Quebec's guide to dashboard warning lights says a blue light means "the engine hasn't reached optimal temperature yet—accelerate gradually." FCA Canada's 2026 Durango, Pacifica, Ram 1500 and Grand Cherokee owner's manuals list no blue temperature light, only a blue high beam indicator.
When Car Dashboard Symbols Stay On, Request Service in Kingston
Car dashboard symbols tell you how quickly to act, and the owner's manual entry under each light's name tells you what to do.
For a yellow light that stays on, Request Service with the colour and the moment it appeared, and our service team will be in touch to confirm a time.
Visit us at 805 Gardiners Road, Kingston, ON K7M 7E6
Request Service to ask for a preferred date and time. A request is not a confirmed appointment until our service team contacts you.
Local: (613)-389-4426 Sales: (877)-251-9249 Parts: (888)-711-5309 Service: (888)-713-0742
About the Author:
Kerry Irven is the Vice President of New and Used Automotive Operations for Heighton Automotive Group, a family-owned and operated automotive group serving communities across Eastern Ontario. Kerry began his automotive career in new-car sales, building his experience on the showroom floor and working his way through multi-store dealership operations.
With over 25 years in the automotive industry, Kerry has helped grow automotive businesses from one location with 40 to 50 vehicles in stock to more than 500 vehicles across 10 rooftops. His hands-on background in both new and used-vehicle operations gives him a practical understanding of what customers look for when shopping for their next vehicle.
Throughout his career, Kerry has always been actively involved in staff coaching and in understanding customer wants and needs, helping ensure the businesses he works with continue to adapt to what customers are truly looking for.
One of the most exciting chapters of his career has been the shift into modern automotive marketing, embracing new technology, transparent pricing, customer-first inventory strategies, and new ways to create a better vehicle-shopping experience.
Kerry has completed extensive automotive training, including certification through the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council, involvement with the Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario, Canadian automotive dealer training, and multiple customer service courses.
Born and raised on a farm, Kerry has always valued family, hard work, and a practical, down-to-earth approach. Joining Heighton Automotive Group and working alongside Thomas Heighton and family, along with managing partners Kyle Lothian and Martin Gougeon, has allowed him to bring those same values into the car business. It has also allowed Kerry to continue following a simple philosophy: treat every customer exactly the way he would want to be treated.
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