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This guide has been designed to help you find out what each warning light on your BMW's dashboard means and what actions you should take if one or more of them illuminates.
RED, then be sure to pull over as soon as it is safe and call for roadside assistance, as you may have a serious problem with your car.
YELLOW, then this means that an action is required, and it is recommended that you book a service with an authorised repairer at one of our BMW dealerships.
GREEN, then this is simply information and does not require immediate action, although you should keep an eye on them.
Servicing plans allow customers to fix the price of their vehicle's maintenance in advance - enabling customers to budget against future wear and tear or mechanical faults.
To enquire about BMW's service plans, contact your local dealer today.
ENQUIRE ABOUT OUR SERVICE PLANS
Worried about your Audi? Checkout our complete guide to Audi Warning Lights.
Worried about your Mercedes-Benz? Checkout our complete guide to Mercedes Warning Lights.
Seat belt is not fastened on the driver's side.
Flashing or illuminating: seat belt on the driver's or front passenger side is not fastened. The seat belt reminder can also be triggered if there are objects in the front passenger seat.
Check whether the seat belt has been fastened correctly.
Red: seat belt not fastened on the corresponding rear seat.
Green: seat belt fastened on the corresponding rear seat.
Airbag system and belt tensioner may be faulty.
Immediately have the vehicle checked by a Service Partner of the manufacturer or another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.
The parking brake is engaged.
Brake system malfunctioning. Continue driving at moderate speed.
Immediately have the vehicle checked by a Service Partner of the manufacturer or another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.
Illuminating: forewarning, for example if a danger of collision is anticipated or there is a very short distance to a vehicle ahead. Increase distance.
Engage by braking and swerving as required.
Symbol in the instrument display. If there is a risk of collision with a detected person, the symbol illuminates and a signal sounds.
Avoid abrupt braking if possible. Braking force reinforcement faulty. Consider longer braking distance. Immediately have a check performed by a Service Partner of the manufacturer or another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.
Flashing: DSC is regulating the acceleration and braking forces. The vehicle is stabilised. Decrease speed and adjust driving style to the road conditions.
Illuminating: DSC has failed. Have the system checked by a Service Partner of the manufacturer or another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC, is switched off or Dynamic Traction Control DTC is switched on.
The system guarantees maximum forward traction with simultaneous limited driving stability for special road conditions, e.g. snow-covered roads.
Activation: Press the button until the DSC OFF indicator light comes on in the speedometer and TRACTION is displayed in the revolution counter.
Illuminating: the Tyre Pressure Monitor reports a loss of tyre pressure in a tyre.
Reduce your speed and carefully stop the vehicle. Avoid violent or sudden braking and steering manoeuvres.
Flashing and then illuminating continuously: no flat tyres or loss of tyre pressure can be detected.
In need of replacement tyres? Our BMW tyre experts are here to help and can provide information about the durability and performance of different tyres.
Steering system faulty.
Have the steering system checked by a Service Partner of the manufacturer or another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.
Have the vehicle checked by a Service Partner of the manufacturer or another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.
System is switched on and warns you under certain conditions if you leave a detected lane without indicating first.
When there are warnings, the steering wheel starts to vibrate slightly. The timing of this warning may vary depending on the current driving situation.
Illuminating: the system is switched on.
Flashing: set speed limit exceeded. An acoustic signal may sound.
Reduce speed or deactivate system.
Rear fog lights are switched on.
If automatic driving lights control has been activated, the low-beam headlights come on automatically when the rear fog lights are switched on.
Turn indicator is switched on.
If the indicator lamp flashes more rapidly than usual, a turn signal light has failed.
Side lights or driving lights are switched on.
You should not leave them on for longer periods of time, since the vehicle battery could discharge and you might not have enough power to start the engine.
The system is switched on. The speed set using the control functions on the steering wheel is maintained.
The function is activated. The vehicle is automatically held at a standstill.
This system automatically applies and releases the brake, for example in stop-start traffic.
On upward inclines, rolling back is prevented when driving off.
High-beam headlights are switched on.
At least one Check Control message is displayed or saved.
Book a BMW Service with your local dealer today.
We also offer complimentary vehicle health checks, to ensure your car is performing to manufacturer standards.
*Refer to owner’s manual or seek professional assistance.
BMW have a multitude of different warning lights depending on the issue. They also have a simple colour system to help identify the severity of the problem. For example, green lights are simply information and do not require action. Yellow lights require action, and the car should be booked into a dealership. Red lights identify a serious issue, and you should pull over immediately and call roadside assistance.
The exclamation BMW dashboard could mean various things depending on the image surrounding it and its colour. For example, an image of a yellow exclamation mark surrounded by an arrow indicates that you should check your stop-start system. If you have a yellow warning light you should get it fixed as soon as possible at your nearest approved Stratstone BMW dealership.
