As an owner or technician of a car, you must have noticed that there are quite a number of symbols on the dashboard. These are activated by the car computer whenever it wants us to know that there is a fault somewhere in the system components.
However, there will always be that one or two symbols that will leave you guessing whenever they light up on the dashboard. A good example of such a symbol is a triangle with an exclamation point. What does this symbol mean?
What are the possible causes? This article summarizes and explain the meaning of triangle symbol with exclamation points found in cars.
What does a triangle with the exclamation point in a car mean?
If you see a triangle with exclamation mark on, it means something is wrong with your car. The triangle doesn’t point out which component is bad. However, it’ll remind you to check your driver information center where you will find the registered messages.
The triangle with exclamation mark in Honda’s case means there is a problem in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) system that’s affecting the car as a whole.
The vehicle stability assist system keeps the wheels from slipping on slippery surfaces and maintaining stability while cornering. Therefore, this triangle with exclamation point on the dashboard is commonly known as ‘the master warning light.’
The warning light will always come on the dashboard along with another warning, or po up a message on the driver’s information center letting you know of the problem with your car.
Possible errors include an issue with stability control, loose fuel cap and low level of fuel in the gas tank.
There is more to this; do you know that the meaning of triangle with exclamation point in a Hyundai car differs from triangle with exclamation point in a Toyota car?
So, it’s a good idea to check your service manual or driver’s information center so as to know what exactly the problem is.
Also, a yellow triangle with exclamation point is different from a red triangle with exclamation point on the dashboard. This warning light pops up along with one of the following warning lights making diagnosis very easy.
One or all of the following lights can pop up on the dashboard at the same time.
- Traction control warning light
- Oil pressure warning light
- Tire pressure warning light
- Battery light
- Temperature warning light
- Check gauge warning light
- Airbag warning light
- Seatbelt warning indicator
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light
- Check engine warning light
- Electronic stability control (ESC) indicator
Red triangle with the exclamation point
If the car computer indicates a red color with a triangle and an exclamation point in a car, you may have a serious fault like low oil pressure. Or it can be just a nudge to go change the motor oil soon.
Look carefully in your DIC or these other lights on the instrument panel to find further clues as to why the light pops.
Yellow triangle with the exclamation point
Usually, yellow amber triangle exclamation point lights on cars in Asia and Europe mean there is a near future fault in the stability control systems.
Most often when you see the yellow amber triangle Exclamation points in a car, BMW, Volkwagen, Honda, Jaguar, or Toyota check in the driver’s information center. There ought to be a message to decode telling you what is up.
Square with a lowercase “i.”
There is a square type of warning light that comes up with a lowercase “I” in it. This is the equivalent of the yellow amber triangle with the exclamation point.
This light only shows when there is a message stored in the driver information center. This is a minor light of no concern as it does not affect drivability.
How do I get rid of the triangle with the exclamation point in my car?
Now that you know several factors can cause the triangle with exclamation mark on the dashboard, how do you eradicate it? Is it safe to drive with this warning light? Should you just clear the light with a scan tool and ignore fixing it? Here is what you have to do.
Pay Attention
Do not ignore the triangle warning light. And erasing the warning light with a scan tool without tracking and fixing the leading cause will certainly compromise your safety on the road. Of course, it can escalate the issues and drop expensive repair bills on your table.
Instead, find a safe place and pull over. Then check your DIC and the other offering warning lights on the dashboard and use that to track the leading cause of the triangle with the exclamation point in Mercedes or your respective car model.
Contact a certified mechanic
Triangle with exclamation point meaning varies from a vehicle to vehicle. Therefore, based on what our research yielded, you may find it difficult to get what light means on your respective car model.
If you think the actual cause is beyond your scope, or you don’t know the root cause, seek professional help. It is ideal to have a certified service technician or dealership track and fix issues on your car.
If you have an active warranty, it is okay to visit your dealership, or if you don’t mind paying higher fees for diagnoses and repair costs. But if you are on a budget and you still want a good job, have your certified mechanic or local repair shop.
Final Words
A triangle with an exclamation point on your dashboard – A warning light indicating a problem with one or more system components. A problem doesn’t lead pointedly to a singular problem. The causes vary vehicle by vehicle.
On Honda, however, it means there’s a problem with the vehicle stability assist (VSA) system. Some other warning lights will accompany the triangle with an exclamation mark to point you in the direction of the cause.
Don’t drive this for too long, especially if the light is red. The root cause problem could progress into a major problem. Seek professional help to nip this in the bud.