What Does the Triangle with an Exclamation Point in Your Car Mean?

Triangle with Exclamation Point Meaning

This symbol is a general warning that indicates a mechanical problem. Unfortunately, the symbol doesn’t indicate any specific problem—rather, it’s a catch-all warning that just tells you something is wrong with your car. You’ll likely have to visit a mechanic to find out exactly what. That said, it may be accompanied by other warning lights that give more information. A yellow triangle often means the vehicle is due for service. A red triangle often means the vehicle needs urgent service. This symbol is sometimes called a “master warning light” or “check control” light.

What should you do if you see the warning light?

Turn the car off and pull over to a safe place. If at all possible, avoid driving the car any farther until you know what the problem is. In the meantime, pull over to the nearest safe shoulder and turn off your engine. If you’re on a busy road, turn on your hazard lights so that other drivers know you’re handling an issue and can drive safely around you. Driving your car while the master warning light is on may cause further issues or damage. Your car may even be unsafe to drive.

Bring the car to a mechanic as soon as possible. Generally, the best way to solve this issue is to visit a mechanic, who can use specialized tools to diagnose the issue, like a code reader or an engine scanner. Manufacturers include this warning light for when the issue is a bit too specific or complex for the average driver to diagnose and repair themselves. Call for a tow, if possible. If not, drive very slowly along the shoulder with your hazard lights on and head to the nearest mechanic.

Diagnosing the Problem

Check your owner’s manual for more information. This symbol mostly just means that there’s a problem with your car that can’t be communicated by other lights or warnings, but which problems it indicates can vary by make and model. Take out your owner’s manual and look for “Warning lights,” “Master warning light,” or “Dashboard warnings,” and read the relevant section to learn more. Your owner’s manual may specify certain problems indicated by your car’s specific master warning light.

Look for other warning lights for clues. Sometimes, this symbol may show up alongside other warning lights, which can give you a hint as to what the problem is. For example, if the “Check Engine” light is also on, you may have a mechanical issue with the engine, and the master warning light is telling you it’s especially serious. Other times, this light may come on when other lights don’t give enough information. For example, if the master warning light is on, but the engine oil warning light isn't, the problem may not be your engine’s oil, but something else.

Start your car and listen to the engine. Turn the key in the ignition and pay attention to the sound the engine makes to check for anything unusual. You might also drive forward slowly to monitor the engine as it accelerates. Anything out of the ordinary may be a valuable clue you can pass on to your mechanic. Here are some common noises and what they may mean: Whining: This often means there’s an issue with your power steering, like low fluid, if it whines while turning. It may also indicate a damaged transmission if it whines while accelerating, or an oil issue if it whines while idling. Rattling: This may indicate damaged suspension, broken belts or engine pistons, or a bad alternator or catalytic convertor. Ticking: This often indicates damaged lifters, which help raise and lower engine pistons, or a damaged accessory component. Knocking: This often indicates damaged engine pistons.

Other Warning Light Meanings

Check engine This light resembles a car engine (vaguely rectangular, but with lots of added curves and corners), and indicates that something is wrong with the car’s engine. It’s only a little more specific than the master warning light, but does indicate a fairly serious problem with the engine that should be addressed sooner rather than later. If you see this light, avoid driving your car unless it’s to the mechanic. Avoid driving at all if the car is making noises or handling unusually.

Battery This symbol is plain enough, resembling a battery. It means that your car is running only on battery power (if the engine is off), or that your battery is faulty or not connected properly (while your engine is on). In either case, you’re draining your battery, and you won’t be able to start your car with a dead battery.

Coolant temperature This light looks like a thermometer submerged in water, and means your engine coolant is low, or the cooling system is faulty. Your car is running hot and at risk of overheating, so check your coolant or bring the car to a mechanic to have the cooling system examined.

Transmission temperature This symbol looks like an exclamation mark inside a gear, and means your transmission is dangerously close to overheating, which could damage the engine. It’s sometimes caused by low transmission fluid levels, heavy wear on the transmission, or improper towing. In any case, it’s best to see a mechanic.

Oil pressure warning This light looks like an oil can with an oil drop. When it comes on, it means your car has low oil, or has insufficient oil pressure. In either case, driving your car could cause damage to the engine, so check your oil or have your oil pressure checked by a mechanic ASAP.

Tire pressure monitoring system This light resembles a circle with a tire tread on the bottom and an exclamation point in the center. It’s usually only found on newer cars, and means one of your tires has low pressure. It’s not super urgent, but it’s best to fill your tires with air or get them checked out or replaced sooner rather than later, or your gas mileage could suffer.

Brake system This symbol is an exclamation mark inside a circle, with what look like parentheses around it. It means that your parking is brake is on, your brake pads are worn, your brake fluid is low, or your anti-lock braking system (ABS) is faulty. Brakes are of utmost importance, so have this issue checked by a mechanic ASAP. The circle may also have the letters “ABS” inside, meaning the fault is with the ABS system, specifically.

Traction and stability control This symbol resembles a swerving car with 2 curvy lines beneath it. It means that your car is experiencing poor traction or handling, probably due to inclement weather like wet or icy roads. It’s not a mechanical problem, per se, but it does mean you should drive slowly and with caution. That said, if the symbol is lit up even on dry, paved roads, the detection system itself may be faulty.

Airbag warning This symbol looks like a passenger with an airbag, or large circle, in front of them, and means your airbags may be faulty. You should never drive with faulty airbags, so have the car towed to a mechanic for service.

Lamp out This looks like a lightbulb with an exclamation mark, and means one of your headlights or tail lights is out. It’s not super urgent but you shouldn’t drive in the dark, or you may risk your own—and other drivers’—safety. Not to mention a ticket! Replace the light ASAP.