Mazda Dashboard Warning Lights Guide – Bass Mazda

Mazda Dashboard Warning Lights Guide - Bass Mazda

It’s always an uneasy feeling when you suddenly see an unfamiliar warning light pop up on your dashboard. Thankfully, having a grasp of what each of these various symbols means can help eliminate panic, concern, and overreaction. In general, it’s a good practice to refer to the color of each warning light exactly like you would at a stoplight. Bass Mazda has created this in-depth reference guide that will give you a better understanding of exactly what each dashboard warning light means inside your Mazda vehicle.

Dashboard Warning Light Colors – Quick Reference Guide

Even if you’re unsure of the exact meaning of a particular warning light, there’s a simple way to know how to react based solely on the color of the light. Just like a traffic signal, many warning lights follow a green, yellow, and red sequence based on their severity.

  • Green (or Blue) Icon – No need to panic! These types of warning lights are informational in nature and should not impact the way your vehicle runs or drives.
  • Yellow (or Orange) Icon – It’s time to use some caution when you see a yellow or orange warning light. Generally, you should have the issue addressed at your earliest convenience but it won’t require you to stop driving your vehicle immediately. Contact our service department for further assistance.
  • Red Icon – As soon as it’s safe to do so, pull over and shut off the engine. Red warning light symbols indicate a serious problem that requires immediate attention. Continuing to drive your vehicle creates the potential for significant damage to your engine or drivetrain.

What Do the Dashboard Warning Lights Mean on Your Mazda?

Brake System Failure

Brake System Failure

There’s a serious problem with your brake system. Once you see this symbol appear, we strongly suggest that you pull off to the side of the road and contact roadside assistance to have your vehicle towed to the nearest authorized Mazda repair facility.

Emergency Brake Engaged

Emergency Brake Engaged

Your parking brake or emergency brake is applied. Be sure to disengage it before continuing to drive.

Low Oil Pressure

Low Oil Pressure

Verify that your engine oil level is within the recommended range specified by the manufacturer. It could also be an issue with your oil pressure sensor. Low oil pressure creates the potential for major engine damage due to the lack of lubrication. When safe to do so, contact roadside assistance and have the vehicle towed to the dealership.

Charging System

Charging System

Fault or failure within the charging system. This can leave you stranded on the side of the road due to a loss of electrical power. Find a safe spot to pull over, park the vehicle, and contact your roadside assistance provider.

Supplemental Restraint System

Supplemental Restraint System

An SRS problem indicates a possible issue with your airbags, potentially preventing them from properly deploying in the event of an accident. Don’t drive your vehicle until this issue is corrected!

High Coolant Temperature

High Coolant Temperature

Your vehicle is overheating. Turn your vehicle off and pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Seat Belt Reminder

Seat Belt Reminder

Always wear your seatbelt when driving! This warning light will be visible on your dashboard until you buckle up.

Door Ajar

Door Ajar

Make sure that all of your vehicle’s doors are securely shut.

Trunk Open

Trunk Open

Close your trunk before driving. You don’t want your cargo to be exposed to the elements.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Adaptive Cruise Control

ACC is engaged and activated. Use the same caution that you normally would when driving your vehicle.

All-Wheel Drive

All-Wheel Drive

The all-wheel drive system of your vehicle is active. Power is being sent to all four wheels under these conditions.

Anti-Lock Brake System

Anti-Lock Brake System

You’ll see this alert appear on your dashboard with there’s a problem with your ABS system.

Auto Idle Stop

Auto Idle Stop

This feature momentarily shuts off your engine to lower emissions and boost fuel economy. This light indicates that the system is working as it should.

Blind Spot Warning

Blind Spot Warning

When another vehicle has entered your blind spot, the system will provide an alert on your exterior mirrors and sometimes on the dashboard as well.

Check Engine Light

Check Engine Light

Although this can point to a number of various problems, this light appears when the onboard diagnostics system has detected a problem with your vehicle’s fuel, ignition, emissions, or exhaust systems. Bring your vehicle into our service department and let one of our factory-trained technicians inspect it.

Collision Mitigation Braking System

Collision Mitigation Braking System

CMBS has been activated and reacted to the possibility of an imminent collision.

Daytime Running Lights

Daytime Running Lights

Your DRLs aren’t functioning properly. This could mean that one or more bulbs may need to be replaced.

Electric Power Steering

Electric Power Steering

Have your vehicle’s power steering system inspected since it’s not functioning correctly.

Lane Keeping Assist System

Lane Keeping Assist System

This technology is designed to keep your vehicle centered in your lane. This warning light is meant to alert you that you’ve begun to stray from your intended lane and the system took corrective action.

Low Fuel

Low Fuel

It’s time to fill up your tank! Don’t ignore this light for too long. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself stranded on the side of the road.

Maintenance Reminder

Maintenance Reminder

Designed to make it easier to stay on top of maintenance for your Mazda vehicle, this symbol means that it’s time to schedule an appointment for routine services like an oil change or tire rotation.

Road Departure Mitigation

Road Departure Mitigation

RDM sensed that your vehicle had left the road surface and took corrective action. Drive with extra caution.

Smart Entry System

Smart Entry System

Your smart entry system has experienced an issue. Some potential culprits are a low/dead battery in your keyfob that’s having trouble connecting to your vehicle. Visit your dealer for additional diagnosis.

System Notification

System Notification

Look at your vehicle’s information display, located either in the gauge cluster or infotainment screen, for additional information related to this notification.

Vehicle Stability Assist System

Vehicle Stability Assist System

VSA has engaged, likely due to a loss of traction. It’s also possible that there’s a potential problem with this system if the warning light remains visible on your dashboard for an extended period of time.

Washer Fluid Level Low

Washer Fluid Level Low

You’re running low on windshield washer fluid. It’s time to add additional washer fluid to the reservoir under the hood of your Mazda.

Automatic High Beam Headlights

Automatic High Beam Headlights

Your high beam headlights have been automatically turned on based on the current conditions.

Cruise Control

Cruise Control

Your vehicle is using cruise control to maintain a fixed speed. Use the same caution that you normally would when driving without this feature.

Exterior Lights

Exterior Lights

Your exterior lights are active. Make sure to turn them off when they’re not needed to prevent any excessive drain on your battery.

Fog Lights On

Fog Lights On

Your fog lights are active. These are typically controlled both automatically based on current lighting conditions or manually via a switch inside the vehicle.

Low Coolant Temperature

Low Coolant Temperature

On certain models, you may see this light appear when your vehicle’s engine is started for the first time of the day. It simply means that the coolant temperature has not reached the normal operating temperature quite yet. Avoid any heavy acceleration or aggressive driving until this light disappears.

Turn Signals

Turn Signals

Your turn signals are activated.

Bass Mazda – Your Top Destination for Automotive Service

Does your vehicle have a warning light on the dashboard that’s causing you to be concerned? No need to panic! Bass Mazda has a state-of-the-art service facility that’s equipped with all the specialized tools and equipment necessary to pinpoint and correct the issue quickly. Better still, your vehicle will receive expert care and attention from factory-certified Mazda technicians that understand the specifics of your vehicle. Don’t let a pesky warning light turn into a major problem! Schedule a service appointment with our team at Bass Mazda today!