Seeing a new light on your dashboard can be a confusing moment. This detailed guide explains what do Honda dashboard lights mean, so you can drive with confidence and safety.
Your Honda’s dashboard is a communication center. Its lights and symbols give you vital information about your car’s health and status. Knowing what they mean is key to preventing problems.
This guide covers every light, from common reminders to urgent warnings. We’ll break them down by color and explain what action you should take.
What Do Honda Dashboard Lights Mean
Dashboard lights use a simple color code: red, yellow/amber, and green/blue. Think of them like a traffic light for your car’s needs.
Red Lights mean stop. These indicate a serious safety issue or major system failure. You should pull over safely as soon as possible and address the problem.
Yellow/Amber Lights are cautions. They signal that a system needs your attention soon, like a service reminder or a minor fault. Have it checked out.
Green/Blue Lights are confirmations. They simply tell you a system is active, like your headlights or cruise control.
Critical Red Warning Lights
These require immediate action. Ignoring them can lead to severe damage or an unsafe driving condition.
Brake System Warning Light
This red light means there’s a problem with your braking system. It could be low brake fluid, an issue with the brake assist, or that the parking brake is still engaged.
- Check if your parking brake is fully released.
- If the light stays on, stop driving. Your brakes may not work properly. Call for a tow to a mechanic.
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
This looks like an old-fashioned oil can. It means your engine’s oil pressure is dangerously low. This is very serious.
- Pull over and turn off the engine immediately to prevent engine seizure.
- Check your oil level after the engine cools. If it’s low, add oil. If the light remains on after restarting, do not drive the car.
Battery/Charging System Alert
This red battery symbol means your car is not charging. The alternator or battery may be failing. You’ll lose power quickly.
- Turn off non-essential electronics (radio, A/C).
- Drive directly to a service center if you are close, but be prepared for the car to stall.
Engine Temperature Warning Light
A red thermometer means your engine is overheating. This can cause catastrophic damage in minutes.
- Turn off the A/C and turn on the heater to full blast to pull heat from the engine.
- Safely pull over and let the engine cool for at least 30 minutes before checking the coolant level. Do not open the radiator cap when hot.
Seat Belt Reminder Light
This red light flashes and chimes until the driver’s seat belt is fastened. It’s a simple but critical safety reminder.
Important Amber/Yellow Caution Lights
These lights indicate a system that needs service or inspection soon. You can usually keep driving, but don’t ignore them for long.
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)
This is the most common amber light. It can mean anything from a loose gas cap to a serious engine sensor failure.
- First, check if your gas cap is tight. A loose cap is a frequent cause.
- If the light is solid, schedule a diagnostic check soon.
- If the light is flashing, reduce power and get service immediately to avoid damaging the catalytic converter.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light
This looks like a flat tire with an exclamation point. It means one or more tires is significantly under-inflated.
- Check all tire pressures when safe to do so, including the spare if equipped.
- Inflate them to the PSI listed on the sticker inside your driver’s door jamb.
Low Fuel Indicator Light
This amber gas pump means your fuel level is low, typically with about 1-2 gallons remaining. It’s time to find a gas station.
Maintenance Minder Light
This light shows a wrench and a code like “A1” or “B2.” It’s Honda’s smart system telling you what service is due.
Refer to your owner’s manual to decode the letter (type of service) and number (specific items). This is not a warning, just a helpful reminder.
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) Warning Light
This amber light means the ABS system has a fault. Your normal brakes will still work, but the anti-lock feature may not function during hard braking.
Have the system inspected by a technician to restore full safety features.
Informative Green/Blue Indicator Lights
These lights are just for your information. They confirm that a feature is turned on and working.
Turn Signal Indicators
These green arrows flash in rhythm with your turn signals. If one flashes very fast, it usually means a turn signal bulb is out on that side.
Headlight and High Beam Indicator
A green light with headlight beams means your headlights are on. A blue light with beams means your high beams are activated.
Cruise Control Indicator
This green light, often saying “CRUISE,” means the cruise control system is turned on and set to a speed.
Econ Mode Indicator
A green leaf or “ECON” button light means your Honda’s Econ mode is active. This adjusts systems for better fuel efficiency.
Other Common Honda Dashboard Symbols
Some lights don’t fit neatly into the color categories but are still important to recognize.
Electric Power Steering (EPS) Warning Light
This red steering wheel with an exclamation point means the power steering system has failed. The wheel will be very hard to turn. Drive with extreme caution to a safe location.
Lane Departure Warning / Lane Keep Assist Light
This often looks like two dashed lines with a car between them. It’s usually green when the system is active and may flash amber if you drift without a signal.
Airbag System Warning Light
This red light shows a person with a ball in front of them. If it stays on after startup, it means the airbag or seat belt pretensioner system has a fault and may not deploy in a crash. Get it checked.
Security System Light
A red car with a key symbol or just the word “SECURITY” will flash when the car is locked and the security system is armed. This is normal.
What to Do When a Warning Light Comes On
Don’t panic. Follow these steps to stay safe and address the issue correctly.
- Stay Calm and Identify: Note the light’s color and symbol. This tells you the urgency.
- Check Your Gauges: Quickly look at your temperature and oil pressure gauges if you have them. This gives more context.
- Act on Color:
- Red: Safely pull over as soon as you can. Turn off the engine and assess.
- Amber: Schedule a service appointment in the near future. If it’s flashing, go sooner.
- Green/Blue: Just note it. No action needed.
- Consult Your Manual: Your Honda owner’s manual has the definitive guide for every light in your specific model.
- Get Professional Help: For red and persistent amber lights, a qualified mechanic should diagnose the problem with the proper tools.
FAQ: Honda Dashboard Lights
What does it mean if my Honda dashboard lights flash then go off?
A quick flash during startup is a normal system check. If a light flashes while driving, especially the check engine light, it indicates a more severe, active problem.
Can I drive with a yellow check engine light on?
You can usually drive for a short time with a solid yellow light, but you should get it diagnosed soon. A flashing yellow check engine light means stop driving hard and get service fast.
Why are all my Honda dashboard lights on?
All lights will illuminate briefly when you turn the key to “ON” as a bulb check. If they all stay on while the engine is running, it could indicate a major electrical issue like an alternator failure.
How do I reset a Honda maintenance light?
The process varies by model. Often, you can reset it by turning the ignition to “ON,” pressing the trip odometer button until the maintenance code displays, then holding the button until it resets. Check your manual for exact steps.
Is a TPMS light an emergency?
Not an immediate emergency, but you should check your tire pressures at your next opportunity. Driving on severely under-inflated tires is dangerous and can cause a blowout.
Final Tips for Dashboard Awareness
Your dashboard lights are your car’s first line of communication. Taking a few minutes to learn them can save you time, money, and stress.
Always keep your owner’s manual in the glove box for quick reference. If you’re ever unsure about a light’s meaning, it’s better to err on the side of caution and have a professional take a look.
Regular maintenance is the best way to prevent many warning lights from coming on in the first place. Following the schedule from your Maintenance Minder helps keep your Honda running smoothly for years to come.