The Top 3 Semi-Truck Warning Lights You Need to Address Immediately

All of your truck dashboard warning lights are important, but there are a few that should be classified as “crucial”. Those extra-important lights should be addressed immediately for your safety, as well as the safety of others on the road.

Check Engine Light

Image of a check engine dashboard warning light on a semi-truck dashboard.

Arguably, the most critical light on your truck’s dashboard is the Check Engine Light (CEL). This light coming on can indicate a range of engine issues. Anything from an improperly reattached gas cap ro problems with your fuel system could be the root cause. The one thing you can know for sure is that you should address it as soon as possible. Minor engine woes can become major engine headaches if left to worsen! Take care of it sooner rather than later by booking your appointment now:

Brake Warning Light

Another truck dashboard warning light you won’t want to ignore is your brake warning light. This can indicate low brake fluid, worn brake pads, or other issues with your braking system. It could also indicate that your parking brake is still engaged.

If the light is the only symptom you notice, go ahead and make an appointment. If you’re noticing further symptoms, like strange sounds, wobbling or vibrating, or inability to stop quickly, you should pull over and seek assistance immediately. Being able to reliably brake is absolutely crucial when driving any vehicle, much less a semi-truck! M&L Truck Service is proud to offer services with our Mobile Service Truck. Give us a call if you need an emergency roadside assist!

Tire Pressure Warning Light

This truck dashboard warning light is one that many people tend to ignore, but you shouldn’t. Your tires are your point of contact with the road, and they should always be properly inflated and have solid tread. If your tire pressure warning light is on, one of your tires isn’t properly inflated. Top up the air in your tires at your next stop, and see if the light comes back on or stays on. If it does, you may have a larger issue with your sensors or other part of the system. Since M&L Truck Service does not offer tire sales or repair, you may want to start at a tire shop, and only come to us if it turns out to be a sensor or system problem. For tire needs, we recommend Hitchens Tire in Milford, Delaware.

Other Important Lights

The truth is, all of your truck’s dashboard warning lights are pretty important. The 3 we listed are the most crucial, but if any warning lights come on, it is usually for a good reason. We’ve included a chart below which will show you what each symbol means, but please be aware that this may vary depending on the make and model of your truck:

A chart showing all semi-truck dashboard warning light symbols and their meanings.

Whether you’re having issues with truck dashboard warning lights or something else, M&L Truck Service is here to keep you rolling!

Picture of Meet Office Manager, Donna Darling
Meet Office Manager, Donna Darling

Donna is known for her excellent customer service skills, and is likely who you'll talk to when you book with M&L. Her first car was a Toyota, and her first job was babysitting.