Quick Answer
Red means stop. Amber means investigate. Green means working. But what about the 47 other symbols on your Rolls-Royce dashboard? This guide decodes every warning light you're likely to see i
Modern luxury cars have between 50 and 80 distinct warning lights. Most owners recognise five or six. The rest are mysteries — and in a moment of panic, mysteries become expensive decisions.
This guide is your reference. Bookmark it.
Before we decode individual symbols, understand the universal colour system:
| Colour | Meaning | Action | |--------|---------|--------| | Red | Danger — stop driving as soon as safely possible | Pull over immediately. Do not continue driving. Call for assistance. | | Amber/Yellow | Warning — something needs attention soon | Safe to drive to your nearest specialist. Book diagnosis within 1-2 days. | | Green | System active — informational | No action needed. Confirms a system is on (e.g., turn signals, cruise control). | | Blue | System active — specific condition | Usually high beams or coolant temperature below operating range. No action unless persistent. | | White | Information or reminder | Advisory messages. Check what the system is telling you. |
The critical rule: Never ignore a red light. An amber light that becomes red has escalated — treat it as red.
What it means: Oil pressure has dropped below the minimum threshold. The engine is not being lubricated adequately.
What to do:
Cost of ignoring: Engine seizure — AED 40,000-120,000 depending on vehicle
Dubai note: Dubai's June-September temperatures (45-50°C) thin oil faster. If you're between service intervals and driving hard in summer — especially stop-start commutes through Al Quoz or Business Bay — oil consumption increases. Check oil monthly.
What it means: Coolant temperature has exceeded the safe operating range. The engine is overheating.
What to do:
Cost of ignoring: Head gasket failure (AED 8,000-25,000), warped cylinder head (AED 15,000-40,000), or engine replacement
Dubai note: Overheating is the #1 mechanical failure in Dubai summer. If this light appears, every minute of continued driving multiplies the damage. Article #22 covers a Bentayga case study.
What it means: The alternator is not charging the battery. The vehicle is running on battery power alone.
What to do:
Cost of ignoring: Being stranded. The battery itself isn't damaged, but running it flat can reduce its lifespan. Alternator replacement: AED 2,000-8,000.
What it means: Brake fluid is low, brake pads are critically worn, or the brake hydraulic system has a fault.
What to do:
Cost of ignoring: Brake failure — priceless. Brake fluid service: AED 300-600. Pad replacement: AED 800-3,000.
What it means: Power steering has failed or reduced. On electric power steering (EPS) systems, this means the motor or control unit has a fault.
What to do:
Cost of ignoring: Difficult steering can cause an accident, especially in parking situations. EPS repair: AED 3,000-12,000.
What it means: The supplemental restraint system (airbags, seatbelt pretensioners) has a fault. One or more airbags may not deploy in an accident.
What to do:
Cost of ignoring: Airbags not deploying in an accident. Sensor replacement: AED 500-2,000. Module replacement: AED 3,000-8,000.
What it means: The engine management system has detected a fault. This is the most common and most vague warning light — it covers hundreds of possible issues.
What to do:
Common causes ranked by frequency:
What it means: The anti-lock braking system has a fault. Normal braking still works, but ABS will not activate during emergency stops.
What to do:
Cost of repair: Wheel speed sensor: AED 500-1,500. ABS module: AED 3,000-8,000.
What it means: If flashing: system is actively working (normal during slippery conditions). If solid: system has been disabled or has a fault.
What to do:
What it means: One or more tyres are below the recommended pressure.
What to do:
Dubai note: Temperature swings cause pressure changes. A tyre at correct pressure in 45°C daytime may trigger the TPMS warning in 20°C night-time. Check pressures in the morning before driving.
Cost of ignoring: Uneven tyre wear, reduced grip, potential blowout at speed. TPMS sensor replacement: AED 300-800 per sensor.
What it means: The diesel particulate filter needs regeneration (a cleaning cycle) or is clogged.
What to do:
Cost of ignoring: DPF replacement: AED 5,000-15,000. Forced regeneration service: AED 500-1,500.
What it means: On startup: normal preheat cycle (wait for light to go off before starting). While driving: glow plug or engine management fault.
What to do:
What it means: Transmission fluid temperature is above normal operating range.
What to do:
Dubai note: Transmission overheating is common in heavy traffic during summer. If this appears regularly, the transmission fluid needs changing — regardless of whether the manufacturer calls it "lifetime fluid."
What it means: Cruise control or adaptive cruise control is active.
Action: None needed. Press brake or cancel button to deactivate.
What it means: The engine start-stop system is active (engine will switch off at stops to save fuel).
Action: None needed. Press the start-stop button to disable if preferred. In Dubai summer, the system often deactivates automatically when the A/C demands high cooling.
What it means: Lane keeping assist is active and monitoring your position.
Action: None needed. The system will vibrate the steering wheel or gently correct if you drift. Deactivate via the steering wheel button if preferred.
What it means: Proximity sensors are active during low-speed manoeuvres.
Action: None needed. If the warning persists when not parking, a sensor may be dirty or faulty. Clean the bumper sensors first.
| Light | Meaning | |-------|---------| | PSM (triangle with arrow) | Porsche Stability Management fault — drive cautiously, book diagnosis | | PASM (shock absorber) | Porsche Active Suspension Management fault — ride quality affected | | Sport Chrono (clock) | Sport mode timer active — informational |
| Light | Meaning | |-------|---------| | Drivetrain malfunction | Reduced power — drive to specialist, avoid heavy acceleration | | DSC (triangle with exclamation) | Dynamic Stability Control fault — traction assistance reduced | | Brake pad wear | Pad sensor triggered — pads need replacement within 1,000-2,000 km |
| Light | Meaning | |-------|---------| | HOLD (in green) | Brake hold active — informational | | ESP (car with wavy lines) | Electronic Stability Program — flashing = active, solid = fault | | Pre-Safe | Pre-Safe system fault — accident preparation systems reduced |
| Light | Meaning | |-------|---------| | ACC (car with lines) | Adaptive Cruise Control active — informational | | Pre Sense | Pre Sense system fault — collision avoidance affected | | Air suspension | Ride height or air spring fault — check suspension immediately |
When any warning light appears:
`
├── RED → Stop driving as soon as safely possible │ → Call recovery or specialist │ → Do NOT restart unless oil/coolant levels confirmed ├── AMBER → Safe to drive carefully │ → Book diagnosis within 1-2 days │ → EXCEPTION: Flashing check engine = reduce speed immediately ├── GREEN → Informational. System working normally. ├── BLUE → Usually high beams or cold engine. Normal. └── WHITE → Read the message. Usually advisory. `
Q: Can I drive with an amber warning light?
A: Generally yes — amber indicates a condition that needs attention but is not immediately dangerous. However, a flashing check engine light is the exception: it indicates active misfires that will damage the catalytic converter. Reduce speed and get to a specialist promptly.
Q: Why do multiple warning lights come on at the same time?
A: Many systems share sensors and data. A single fault (e.g., a wheel speed sensor failure) can trigger ABS, traction control, and stability control lights simultaneously. This usually indicates one root cause, not three separate failures.
Q: My warning light came on and then went off. Should I still get it checked?
A: Yes. Intermittent warning lights indicate a condition that is present but not constant — often temperature-related or connection-related. The fault code will be stored in the vehicle's memory even after the light goes off. A diagnostic scan can retrieve it.
Q: How much does a diagnostic scan cost?
A: A basic OBD2 scan (reading codes only) costs AED 100-300. A manufacturer-level diagnostic with live data analysis, freeze frame data, and expert interpretation costs AED 300-800. The difference matters — a basic scan tells you WHAT code is stored; a proper diagnostic tells you WHY.
Q: Should I buy my own OBD2 scanner?
A: A basic Bluetooth OBD2 scanner (AED 50-200) is useful for reading and clearing simple codes like P0456 (fuel cap). However, luxury vehicles store the most important data in manufacturer-specific systems that generic scanners cannot access. For anything beyond basic engine codes, you need PIWIS, XENTRY, ISTA, or the equivalent manufacturer tool.
Every warning light is a message from your car's diagnostic systems. The difference between a AED 0 fuel cap fix and a AED 120,000 engine replacement often comes down to understanding what the light means and acting accordingly.
Equipment. Knowledge. Patience. And a phone with this guide bookmarked.
No Fix, No Fee.
Reviewed by [Diagnostic Specialist], MotorMec Dubai. Last updated: February 2026
