Guide to BMW Warning Lights: What Do They Mean?

BMW has been around for more than 100 years thanks to its unwavering dedication to luxury and high-end engineering. Sometimes, even the best luxury vehicles in the world, like your M4 or X6, might need a visit to your Bay Shore BMW service center. If you see one of the BMW warning lights on your dashboard, you may need to bring your vehicle in for service near Bay Shore or West Islip. 

Keep reading to discover more about the BMW dashboard warning lights and what they might indicate. 

BMW Warning Lights: Meaning

Every BMW vehicle has plenty of high-tech features modern drivers love. As such, you might see one of several BMW dashboard warning lights. Some of these BMW warning light symbols are a signal your car or SUV needs immediate service. Others are simple fixes you might even accomplish yourself, like changing an engine air filter. Knowing the meaning of your BMW dash warning lights can help you decipher if you need to visit a BMW service center or not. 

These are the most common BMW warning lights you’ll see while owning your car or SUV.

• Empty or Low Fuel: When this symbol first lights up, you have around 30 miles before you completely run out of gasoline (if you have an internal combustion engine). Stop by your Babylon gas station to fill up your tank. Driving too long with this light on could damage your fuel system as the fuel runs too low, and then your engine performance will be off due to improperly tuned fuel injectors.
• Tire Pressure Monitor: The tire pressure monitor light indicates that one or more of your tires is underinflated. A yellow light means the tire pressure is down by about 10%, and you can probably put this off for a little bit. Meanwhile, a red light means the tire deflated rapidly. The red light means you must take care of this problem immediately.
• Oil Can: The oil can symbol means your vehicle is due for an oil change soon. Be sure to look over our service specials to see if you can save some money on your next BMW oil change. 
• Light Bulb: If you see a light bulb symbol as one of your BMW warning lights, then one or more external lights are out or experiencing an issue. If, after changing your bulb, the light is still on, we suggest a visit to a service center. You might be experiencing an electrical problem. Look at all of your exterior lights to see if one is out or doesn’t blink like it’s supposed to.
• Thermometer: Your engine is getting too hot and potentially overheating when you see a thermometer BMW dashboard warning light. This can be both dangerous and damaging to your engine. If you aren’t near a BMW service center, we recommend stopping your vehicle to let your engine cool down and then visiting us as soon as possible.
• Engine: When this warning light flashes or stays on, you will want to have your vehicle serviced immediately. There’s an issue with your BMW’s engine or its components, and engine repairs that linger can get expensive. 
• Dynamic Stability Control: This light isn’t one to worry about as it simply means the traction control system has been engaged. Read more about this in your owner’s manual. The stability control system helps your BMW vehicle stay on the road more effectively, even in less-than-ideal conditions.
• Service Vehicle: If the service vehicle light is yellow, it means your BMW will be due for service soon. If you put off your service and your BMW becomes overdue for service, the light will turn red. Consult your owner’s manual or driver information screen to see what service interval you have reached. We’ll take care of you as soon as you are ready!

Take Care of BMW Service Needs at Habberstad BMW of Bay Shore

Don’t let your BMW warning lights scare you. If you need assistance addressing the BMW service that you require, schedule service with the certified technicians at Habberstad BMW of Bay Shore. Contact us or call (800) 481-1537 with any questions. We’re happy to help in any way we can.

Habberstad BMW of Bay Shore Service Specials