DASHBOARD LIGHT: Chevrolet Dashboard Light Indicator Meaning

Chevrolet Dashboard Light Indicator Meaning

Table of Contents

Chevrolet Dashboard Light Indicator Meaning

Safety Belt Reminder Light

When the engine is started, a chime will come on for several seconds to remind people to fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is already buckled.

The safety belt light will also come on and stay on for several seconds, then it will flash for several more.

This chime and light is repeated if the driver remains unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion. If the driver’s beltis already buckled, neither the chime nor the light will come on.

Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light

Several seconds after the engine is started, a chime will sound for several seconds to remind the front passenger to buckle their safety belt. This would only occur if the passenger airbag is enabled. The passenger safety belt light will also come on and stay on for several seconds, then it will flash for several more.

This chime and light are repeated if the passenger remains unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion.

If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither the chime nor the light will come on.

Airbag Readiness Light

There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The system checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system check includes the airbag sensor, the pretensioners, the airbag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more information on the airbag system.

This light will come on when you start your vehicle, and it will flash for a few seconds. The light should go out and the system is ready.

If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your airbag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle serviced right away.

Passenger Airbag Status Indicator

Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system. Your instrument panel has a passenger airbag status indicator.

When you start the vehicle, the passenger airbag status indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off, for several seconds as a system check. If you use remote start to start your vehicle from a distance, if equipped, you may not see the system check. Then, after several more seconds, the status indicator will light either ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol to let you know the status of the right front passenger’s frontal airbag.

If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger airbag status indicator, it means that the right front passenger’s frontal airbag is enabled (may inflate).

Caution:
If the on indicator comes on when you have a rear-facing child restraint installed in the right front passenger’s seat, it means that the passenger sensing system has not turned off the passenger’s frontal airbag. A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s airbag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating airbag. Do not use a rear-facing child restraint in the right front passenger’s seat if the airbag is turned on.

Caution:

Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off.

Caution:

If the airbag readiness light in the instrument panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it means that something may be wrong with the airbag system. If this ever happens, have the vehicle serviced promptly, because an adult-size person sitting in the right front passenger’s seat may not have the protection of the airbag(s).

Charging System Light

This light will come on briefly when you turn on the ignition, but the engine is not running, as a check to show you it is working.

It should go out once the engine is running. If it stayson, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a problem with the charging system. A charging system Driver Information Center (DIC) message may also appear.This light could indicate that you have problems with a generator drive belt, or another electrical problem. Have it checked right away. If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio and air conditioner.

Brake System Warning Light

Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need both parts working well.

If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem. Have your brake system inspected right away. This light should come on briefly when the engine is started. If it does not come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will also come on when you set your parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking brake does not release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it means you have a brake problem. If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is harder to push, or the pedal may go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.

Caution:

Your brake system may not be working properly if the brake system warning light is on. Driving with the brake system warning light on can lead to an accident. If the light is still on after you have pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for service.

Antilock Brake System Warning Light

For vehicles with the Antilock Brake System (ABS), this light will come on briefly when you start the engine.

That is normal. If the light does not come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem. If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as it is safely possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the system. If the ABS light still stays on, or comes on again while you are driving, your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system warning light is not on, you still have brakes, but you do not have antilock brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also on, you do not have antilock brakes and there is a problem with your regular brakes.

Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light

This warning light should come on briefly when the engine is started.

If the warning light does not come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem. If it stays on, or comes on when you are driving a SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message will appear in the Driver Information Center (DIC). This indicates that there may be a problem with your traction control system and your vehicle may need service. When this warning light is on and the SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message appears on the DIC, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.

If the traction control system is manually turned off, this light will come on and the TRACTION CONTROL OFF message will appear on the DIC. When the system is active, the light will flash while the system is limiting wheel spin or assisting you in controlling the vehicle. You may also feel or hear the system working. This is normal.

Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light

This warning light should come on briefly when the engine is started.

If the warning light does not come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem. This light may come on after you first start to drive and the STABILITRAK NOT READY message will appear in the Driver Information Center (DIC).

If the light stays on, or comes on when you are driving a SERVICE STABILITRAK message will appear in the DIC. This indicates that there may be a problem with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system and your vehicle may need service. When this warning light is on and the SERVICE STABILITRAK message appears on the DIC, the ESC system will not assist you in controlling the vehicle. Adjust your driving accordingly.

When the system is active, the light will flash while the system is assisting you in controlling the vehicle. You may also feel or hear the system working. This is normal.

Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light

The engine coolant temperature warning light will come on when the engine has overheated.

If this happens you should pull over and turn off the engine as soon as possible.

Notice:

Driving with the engine coolant temperature warning light on could cause your vehicle to Your vehicle could be damaged, and it might not be covered by your warranty. Never drive with the engine coolant temperature warning light on.

Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the gage pointer moves towards the “H” (United States) or the shaded in thermostat (Canada), it means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you have been operating your vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.

Tire Pressure Light

This light comes on briefly when the engine is started.

This light will also come on when one or more of your tires are significantly underinflated.

A tire pressure message in the Driver Information Center (DIC), may accompany the light. for more information. Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do so. If underinflated, inflate to the proper pressure. If a problem is detected with the Tire Pressure Monitor System, this light will flash for approximately 60 seconds and then stay on solid for the remainder of the ignition cycle. See Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-63 for more information.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp Check Engine Light

Your vehicle has a computer which monitors operation of the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems.

This system is called OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to make sure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment. The check engine light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system before any problem is apparent. This can prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also designed to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.

Notice:

If you keep driving your vehicle with thislight on, after a while, the emission controls might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel economy might not be as good, and the engine might not run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that might not be covered by your warranty.

Notice:

Modifications made to the engine, transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with other than those of the same Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission controls and can cause this light to come on. Modifications to these systems could lead to costly repairs not covered by your warranty. This could also result in a failure to pass a required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.

This light should come on, as a check to show you it is working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not running. If the light does not come on, have it repaired. This light will also come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:

Light Flashing — A misfire condition has been detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and could damage the emission control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service might be required.
Light On Steady — An emission control system malfunction has been detected on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service might be required.

If the Light is Flashing

The following can prevent more serious damage to your vehicle:

Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.

If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible. If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still flashing,follow the previous steps and see your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.

Oil Pressure Light

This light will come on briefly when you start your engine.

If it does not, have your vehicle serviced. When the light comes on and stays on, it means that oil is not flowing through your engine properly. You could be low on oil and you might have some other system problem.

Security Light

Theft-Deterrent Systems Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it impossible to steal.

Fog Lamp Light

The fog lamp light will come on when the fog lamps are in use. The light will go out when the fog lamps are turned off.

If your vehicle has fog lamps, the control is located on the exterior lamps control. The exterior lamps control is located on the instrument panel to the left of the steering column. The ignition must be in the ON/RUN position for the fog lamps to come on. Press the exterior lamps button to turn the fog lamps on or off. A light will come on in the instrument panel cluster.

When the headlamps are changed to high-beam, the fog lamps also go off.

Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to be on along with the fog lamps.

Cruise Control Light

This light comes on whenever you set the cruise control. The light goes out when the cruise control is turned off.

With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below about25 mph (40 km/h).

High beam On Light

This light comes on when Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam, push the turn signal/multifunction lever toward the front of the vehicle.

This light on the instrument panel cluster comes on if the high beam lamps are turned on while the ignition is on.

To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam, pull the turn signal lever toward the rear of the vehicle.the high-beam headlamps are in use.

Fuel Gauge

When the ignition is on, the fuel gauge tells you about how much fuel you have remaining. Here are four things that some owners ask about. None of these show a problem with your fuel gauge:

At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the gauge reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gauge indicated. For example, the gage may have indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a little more or less than half the tank’s capacity to fill the tank.
The gauge moves a little when you turn a corner or speed up.
The gauge doesn’t go back to empty when you turn off the ignition.

Driver Information Center (DIC)

The buttons are the trip/fuel, vehicle information, customization, and set/reset buttons. The button functions are detailed in the following pages.

Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC). All messages will appear in the DIC display located below the speedometer in the instrument panel cluster. The DIC buttons are located on the instrument panel, to the right of the instrument panel cluster.

The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short delay, the DIC will display the information that was last displayed before the engine was turned off. The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system information, and warning messages if a system problem is detected. The bottom line of the DIC shows the shift lever position indicator.

If your vehicle has these features, the DIC also displays the compass direction and the outside air temperature when viewing the trip and fuel information. The compass direction appears on the top right corner of the DIC display. The outside air temperature automatically appears in the bottom right corner of the DIC display. If there is a problem with the system that controls the temperature display, the numbers will be replaced with dashes. If this occurs, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer. The DIC also allows some features to be customized.

DIC Operation and Displays The DIC has different displays which can be accessed by pressing the DIC buttons located on the instrument panel, to the right of the instrument panel cluster.

Turn and Lane-Change Signals

The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.

To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down. When the turn is finished, the lever will return automatically.

An arrow on the instrument panel cluster will flash in the direction of the turn or lane change.

To signal a lane change, raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself when you release it. If you momentarily press and release the lever, the turn signal will flash three times.

If the arrow flashes faster than normal as you signal a turn or a lane change, a signal bulb may be burned out and other drivers will not see your turn signal. If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when you signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and then check the fuse.