Control lamps

The observation of the control lights, whether animated or still available as real lights, is very important in the search for the cause of a defect. They must be lit for a certain period of time when the ignition is switched on, otherwise they are just as suitable for troubleshooting as their colleagues who are flashing or continuous being illuminated.

Manufacturers spend a lot of time trying to warn you when you start a (longer) ride. This is why it is useful to follow these advices. It may e.g. a message indicating defects in the lighting system. So you have the chance to do something before you leave, avoid an evening unpleasant surprise.

By the way, it is normal that the display in computer-generated screens, e.g. LCD, dynamic and does not set them all up at one go. All colors except yellow, orange and red are intended only as indications, especially if they are not flashing, accompanied by a beep or additional written instructions.

However, there are also reddish hints which do not indicate a defect or a danger, e.g. when the handbrake is applied or the rear fog light switched on. The former, in order to prevent the brake from driving without releasing the brake, the latter, because its use is bound to very narrow limits, for example it should be used only up to about 50 km/h.

Red is, by the way, usually more urgent than orange, a color in which, e.g. error in the ABS system. This also means that the normal braking performance is guaranteed. If for some reason this is not the case anymore, the red indicators will come. In addition, ESP also belongs to orange, which means that the driver signals that the driving style should be somewhat less risky.

The color red generally means to make a halt as soon as possible. It is then only possible to decide with some certain knowledge whether the journey can be continued at all. This would be e.g. In the event of a warning of too high a coolant temperature after a thorough cooling and with a long-term view of the display for a limited radius. If the oil pressure is too low even a new engine start would be taboo.

There are even display icons for the most inexperienced. Since the strange events in the USA, that manufacturers have cost millions, all drivers of automatic vehicles are forced to actuate the footbrake at startup (in the case of manual transmissions the clutch). If they do so to an insignificant degree, they admonish a symbol, but a little more penetrate. 02/17