Understanding the Dashboard Warning Lights In Your Buick

Nobody wants to see one of those little warning lights go off on your dashboard. It can be a stressful moment because you don’t know if your vehicle is about to break down, if something has fallen off it, or if some critical fluid reservoir is empty. Some people try to ignore those lights as long as possible. But, our Buick service center technicians can tell you plenty of stories about why that’s not a good idea.

With so many symbols that can appear on your Buick’s dashboard, decoding the meaning of each one can feel like a daunting task. However, it is a good idea to make yourself familiar with these symbols. Doing so can ensure you understand when a critical issue has come up that requires immediate attention or when something non-urgent has happened—but either way, you should visit us at your earliest convenience. Here are some of the warning lights you are most likely to see on your dashboard:

The Check Engine Light

If your Check Engine light goes on, your Buick has detected something failing in the engine. The engine is one of the more intricate parts of your vehicle, so you’ll need a technician to look under the hood to see what the specific issue is. However, possible problems include:

Damaged Spark Plugs: This can reduce firing power when you start your engine, which could ultimately make it difficult or impossible to turn on your vehicle’s ignition.

Faulty Oxygen Sensor: This can also impact your ability to start your ignition and reduce fuel economy because the proper air-to-fuel ratio is vital for fuel efficiency.

Broken Emissions Control: Your emissions control limits the amount of harmful gases your vehicle releases into the atmosphere. Try not to release harmful gases into the atmosphere.

Defective Fuel Injection System: This system introduces fuel into your engine in the appropriate portions.

Missing Catalytic Converter: With the theft of catalytic converters on the rise, it’s crucial that your vehicle notifies you if yours has gone missing. A check engine light could indicate catalytic converter theft.

Damaged Mass Airflow Sensor: This system monitors how much air goes into your engine to ensure the proper balance of fuel and oxygen.

These are just some of the reasons a check engine light might go off. One of our technicians will investigate the issue and quickly determine the root of the problem.

The Tire Pressure Monitor

Even the safest drivers can’t stop others from dumping sharp objects on the road or force the city to keep the roads well-maintained. The risks for a tire puncture or flat tire are out there, and even great driving habits can’t always help you avoid them. However, your tire pressure monitor can help stop a small puncture from becoming a major problem.

If you see a light go on that looks like a set of horns with a jagged base and an exclamation point in its center, that’s your tire pressure monitor. It’s indicating that one or several of your tires have lost pressure. If you see this go on, pull over and visually inspect your tires. If you don’t notice low pressure, you can safely drive (slowly) to a gas station or service center to put air in your tires.

Sometimes, tires lose air for reasons not related to punctures, like temperature changes or driving habits. If that’s the case, adding air to the low tire should fix the issue. However, if the light comes back on again shortly after, it’s time to visit a service center. Your tire might have a puncture that needs to be patched.

Engine Coolant Temperature

This symbol has a top portion that looks like the prongs of a key and a bottom portion with two curved arms and arrows above each one. If you see this light come on, it means that you don’t have enough coolant, and as a result, your engine is overheating. If you see this light go on, pull over right away and call for roadside assistance. An overheated engine can lead to significant damage and is not safe to drive with. This issue can occur if you haven’t visited your service center for your routine fluid top offs, which include coolant. It can also happen if there is a leak under your vehicle, where coolant is flowing out from.

Oil Pressure Warning

The oil pressure warning symbol is one of the easiest to recognize because it looks like a canister with oil dripping out of one end. If this light goes on, it means that your oil levels are low, which can cause your engine to overheat and/or reduce its overall performance. If you see this light go on and your vehicle appears to be operating normally, you can continue to drive it until you can make an appointment with us for an oil change.

If, however, you notice a clunking sound, exhaust smoke, a burning oil smell, or other concerning symptoms, pull over and turn your vehicle off. Then call for roadside assistance and have your vehicle towed to a service center for professional attention.

Electronic Stability Control

When you see a symbol that looks like a vehicle with squiggly tire marks behind it, that means that your traction control/StabiliTrak system has been activated. This occurs when a loss of traction has been detected. If this appears, drive slowly, do not make any major steering adjustments, and press the brakes gently until you can come to a stop. This is one of many symbols related to your Buick’s driver-assist features.

Seat Belt Reminders

To keep you and your passengers safe, your Buick is equipped with sensors that can detect when a seat is occupied but the passenger hasn’t buckled their seatbelt. When this happens, you’ll see a symbol that looks like a passenger wearing a seatbelt appear on your dashboard. It will be accompanied by an audible chime. It will not turn off until the indicated passenger buckles their seatbelt. Sometimes, this warning will go on if you have placed a heavy object in the front passenger seat, like a backpack or cooler. Place this item in the trunk or on the floor to turn the warning off.

Understand Your Buick’s Dashboard Symbols for a Safer, Smoother Driving Experience

These are only some of the symbols you might see appear on your Buick’s dashboard. You should find a full guide to the symbols for your model in your owner’s manual. However, if you are ever unsure about one or taking the recommended steps doesn’t trigger it to shut off, you can always visit our service center. When it comes to malfunctioning vehicle parts, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. One of our technicians will inspect your vehicle to find what triggered the light to turn on. And they will only turn it off when the problem has been addressed.

Our technicians are here not just to care for your vehicle but also to empower you with information about it so you can be a safe, responsible driver. If you want to learn more about the symbols on your dashboard, ask for a tutorial during your next service appointment. We are here to serve you.