Vauxhall Meriva Dashboard Warning Lights Meaning

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rebbeca jones

Understanding every dashboard symbol keeps you safe, prevents costly damage, and helps you decide when to pull over or book a workshop visit. Use the colour groups below to judge urgency at a glance.

Vauxhall Meriva Dashboard Warning Lights

Red (Stop Immediately)

Engine Oil Pressure

Oil Pressure Warning Light

Oil can icon means oil pressure is gone; engine can seize. Stop, switch off, check level, top-up if low; if it stays on, arrange recovery.

Engine Coolant Temperature

Engine Coolant Overheating Warning Light

Thermometer icon shows coolant is overheating. Pull over, let engine cool, check coolant; do not drive until temperature drops.

Brake System

Brake Warning Light

Circle-exclamation light points to low fluid or hydraulic fault. Park safely, check fluid, and call a mechanic before moving again.

Battery Charging

Battery Warning Light

Red battery shows alternator isn’t charging. Turn off electrics, reach a safe spot, and seek assistance to avoid stalling.

Electronic Parking Brake Fault

Parking Brake Light

Flashing red “P” signals EPB failure. Stop on level ground, apply manual brake if possible, and contact a workshop.

Manual Parking Brake / Clutch Fluid

Manual Parking Brake Engaged

Red “!” in circle also warns fluid is low. Top up if handy; if level correct, suspect leak—do not continue driving.

Airbag & Belt Tensioners

Airbag Deployment Warning Light

Seated figure with circle means restraint system is disabled. Stop soon and have airbags checked to keep occupants protected.

Seat Belt Reminder

Seatbelt Warning Light And Buzzer

Blinking belt icon shows a front occupant unbelted. Buckle up immediately; system will silence when belts click in.

Door Open

Doors Open Warning Light

Car-door symbol glows when any door isn’t latched. Pull over and close all doors firmly before resuming.

Bonnet Open

Hood Open

Bonnet icon warns hood unsecured. Stop, shut bonnet properly to avoid it lifting while driving.

Tailgate Open

Smart Trunk Opening Fault

Boot symbol means rear hatch unlatched. Halt, close tailgate until light disappears.

STOP Engine

Stop Engine Warning

Red “STOP” text or message signals critical fault. Kill the engine straight away and arrange towing.

Continuous Damping Control Fault

Continuous Damping Control Fault

Red shock-absorber icon shows suspension fault. Drive only at low speed to a garage if immediate stop is unsafe.

Electronic Stability Control Not Ready

ESC Braking Warning Light

Red car-skid icon (rare) tells ESC offline on start-up. Park, restart; if icon stays, seek service.

Vehicle Ready to Drive

Vehicle Ready To Drive

Red “READY” appears on LPG/electric variants to confirm system live. Ensure seatbelt fastened, press brake, then select gear.

Yellow / Amber (Action Required Soon)

Check Engine (MIL)

Engine Warning Light

Engine outline means emission or sensor fault. Book diagnostic soon; flashing means slow down to save catalytic converter.

ABS

ABS Warning Light

Amber “ABS” marks anti-lock brake fault; normal brakes work, but avoid hard braking and get sensors checked.

ESC / Traction Control

Traction Control Malfunction

Skidding car icon steady = system off or fault; get it scanned before next long trip.

Power Steering

Power Steering Warning

Steering-wheel with “!” signals variable assist fault; steering feels heavy or light. Drive carefully and book repair.

Tyre Pressure

Tyre Pressure Warning Light

Horseshoe icon warns low pressure or puncture. Check all tyres and reinflate or replace.

Glow Plug (Diesel)

Glow Plug Warning Light

Coil symbol should go out before starting. Staying on or flashing hints plug or sensor issues; service soon.

Diesel Particulate Filter

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)

Box with dots shows DPF filling. Drive 15 min at 40 mph to regenerate; seek service if light persists.

Brake Pads Worn

Brake Pads Warning Light

Amber circle plus dashed lines says pads thin. Book brake job before discs get damaged.

EPB Degraded

Auto Hold

Amber spanner-lightning bolt notes reduced parking-brake performance. System still works—schedule workshop visit.

Low Washer Fluid

Washer Fluid Level Warning

Windshield icon with dotted jet warns reservoir almost empty. Refill with screen wash.

Immobiliser Fault

Immobiliser System

Flashing car-lock symbol means key not recognised. Try spare key or change fob battery; dealer may need to reprogram.

Transmission / Engine Electronics

Transmission Warning Light

Spanner in car or gearbox icon signals sensor or shift issue. Drive gently and plan diagnostic test.

Reduced Power (Limp Mode)

Reduced Power Mode Warning

Engine with down-arrow means ECU has cut power to protect components. Limit speed and get fault codes read.

Bulb Failure

Lightbulb Failure

Bulb with “!” shows external light out. Replace faulty bulb soon to stay legal.

Fuel Filter Water / Contamination

Water In Fuel Warning (Diesel)

Fuel pump with droplet signals water in diesel filter. Drain filter or visit garage quickly.

Green (Information Only)

Turn Signal / Hazard

Turn Signal Active

Flashing arrows confirm indicators or hazards are working.

Headlights On

Headlight Indicator

Green headlamp shows dipped beam active.

Front Fog Lights

Front Fog Lights

Semi-circle with slanted lines indicates fogs switched on.

Sidelights

 

Twin green lights mean sidelights are operating for parking illumination.

Daytime Running Lights

Daytime Running Light Failure

DRL icon proves automatic daytime lights are active.

High Beam Assist

Automatic High Beam Warning Light

“A” within headlamp signals auto high-beam is managing main beam.

Cruise Control Set

Smart Cruise Control Fault

Speedometer with arrow confirms cruise holding chosen speed.

Vehicle Ahead Detected

Vehicle Ahead Warning Light

Car with bars shows adaptive cruise sees traffic ahead.

Lane Departure On

Basic RGB

Road-lane icon confirms lane keep aid is live.

Eco Mode

Eco Mode

Leaf or “ECO” means fuel-saving strategy engaged; throttle and AC trimmed.

Descent Control Ready

Hill Descent Control

Vehicle on slope steady green shows system armed; flashing signals it’s working.

Automatic Restart

Start Stop System Warning

Circular arrow tells start-stop will restart engine automatically.

Upshift Recommended

Arrow pointing up suggests changing to higher gear for economy.

Trailer Indicator

Trailer Light Warning

Green trailer lamp flashes with turn signals to confirm trailer lights working.

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rebbeca jones

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