There’s a plethora of dashboard symbols on your car, and it can be intimidating to try to learn what all of them mean. You should absolutely prioritize learning the life-or-death ones first, but eventually it’s still a good idea to memorize them all. That way you’re not dependent on a manual or a mechanic to diagnose your car troubles.
While it may look like one, the boat symbol on your dash has nothing to do with any aquatic features your car may or may not have. In fact, of you look closely, it’s not a boat at all.
What Does the Symbol Mean?
The boat symbol on your dash is actually a thermometer sitting over fluid. This light is your “coolant temperature low indicator light” and “coolant temperature high warning light.” If it comes on in your car-aside from when you first turn on your car (when every light temporarily turns on) it means you have engine issues.
The light may behave in a couple of different ways, and its behavior can help you diagnose the problem at hand. In a Subaru, a solid blue light “indicates insufficient warming up of the engine,” a light that alternates between red and blue indicates an electrical system malfunction, and a blinking red light means “that the engine is close to overheating.”
Honda explains that if you’re seeing a red light, it could be caused by “a failed cooling system component, such as a leaking radiator, broken thermostat, or water pump issue.”
What Should You Do if You See the Symbol?
If you see the coolant temperature indicator light up, your next course of action depends on what the warning light is doing.
If it’s alternating blue and red, Subaru suggests asking your dealer to inspect the car. However, if the light is indicating that your engine is overheating, that’s an emergency. Both Honda and Subaru stress the importance of stopping as soon as is safe. Honda suggests “opening the hood carefully and allowing the engine to cool down is advised.” Under no circumstances should you ignore this light, they say. Doing so “risks permanent damage and should be avoided.”
Once your car engine has cooled down and the light has turned off, it’s a good idea to have a mechanic look over the vehicle to ensure that there’s no lasting damage and no leaks where the engine coolant could have drained from.
Sources
- Subaru Warning Lights, Napleton Subaru.
- What Do the Different Engine Lights Mean, Orangeville Honda.
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