What do all these symbols mean?!

RichGold

marywooyeah wrote: »

If I had a manual for the car of course I would look in it, I'll see if I can get one off ebay or something.

The manual for my car is from ebay, despite me passing my test in 1994 and driving ever since I felt I should have one.

Novice or seasoned driver, most problems can be easily resolved with the manual (even down to the grade of oil for your engine).

Weird_Nev

Take photos and post them up, then you'll get a definite answer.

And don't drive the car until you've sorted whatever the lights are. Some of them aren't a problem, some of them could be safety critical.

They all light up when you start the car to check the systems and that the bulbs are working. The ones that go out shouldn't be a problem. The ones that stay on could indicate a problem.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

have a look here, might help.

mikey72

Hammyman response that they've always been on is unbelievable.
So, either the op has never noticed any of the lights since she's owned it, and suddenly registered them for the first time last night, and posted here for advice, or they've always been there, and she's never been remotely worried before, so should be told to read the manual?

KTF

Just to check, do these lights come on when the engine is running (not normal) or when the ignition is on but the engine is off (normal)?

To check the oil level, take out the dipstick, clean it and put it back in. Take it out a second time and see where the level is (there will be a max/min marker on the dipstick).

If the level is low you can top it up via the oil cap. This is different to an oil change. If the oil is low (and you have bought the right oil for the engine) dont put the whole bottle in, just pus in a small amount, wait a few minutes then check again via the dipstick. Repeat until its at the correct level.

Strider590

Some harsh posts there, but I have to say.... Your driving a 1.5 tonne metal potential killing machine and you've not read the manual

As it's a VX though, I reckon it's just your battery.
When mine went on the Vectra, it sent the dashboard nuts around 1 week before it failed to start the car.... Weathers getting cold, your using the lights/heater/etc more, my bet is the battery.

cleggie

marywooyeah wrote: »

hi can someone help? when I started my car today a load of symbols flashed up, one was yellow and looked a bit like a lamp, one was red and looked like a battery, and there was another one which I thought might be for the oil.

I bought some oil for a petrol car today, but when I looked up online how to change the oil it says you need jacks to get under the car! is that right? I need to go underneath it?! guessing one means that it needs a new battery but no idea what the lamp one means.

also, last night the dashboard didnt light up like it usually does when I have my main beams on, it took about 3 or 4 minutes for it come on so I'm kind of confused as to whats going on with it - I'd be very grateful of some advice and realise they are probably sillly questions to people who are experienced motorists, thanks in advance!

Hi Marywooyeah.
for the majority of cars, all the lights come on once the car is started 9indicating normal functioning). The time you need to worry is when the lights showing battery/oil etc comes on whist you are driving.
Just have a quick read through your manual to familiarise yourself with whats normal/not normal.
Hope that helps!

marywooyeah

Strider590 wrote: »

Some harsh posts there, but I have to say.... Your driving a 1.5 tonne metal potential killing machine and you've not read the manual

As it's a VX though, I reckon it's just your battery.
When mine went on the Vectra, it sent the dashboard nuts around 1 week before it failed to start the car.... Weathers getting cold, your using the lights/heater/etc more, my bet is the battery.

lol I should have made it clearer that it didnt have a manual, but thanks to frugalmcdougal I've downloaded one and am currently perusing it. what you describe sounds about right as these weren't showing when it was turned on until last night, same time as the dashboard didnt light up for a few minutes at first.

I have a friend who is a mechanic so I will ask him to have a look if he can get over fairly soonish otherwise will take it to a garage.

thanks to all the posters who helped - and I am also grateful for the info about oil changing too.

Hammyman

marywooyeah wrote: »

Hammyman your post is really out of order, as I said I have noticed one of the symbols before but the others haven't come on when the ignition comes on before so I was worried something was wrong.

I also said I realised it was probably a silly question for experienced motorists but I've only been driving for 3 weeks so wanted to ask on here.

Maybe you should familiarise yourself with the forum rules.

As someone who is a new driver, you more than anyone should be familiarising yourself with your vehicle. They added checking oil and water to the driving test for the halfwits who didn't bother to read the manual...

marywooyeah

Hammyman wrote: »

As someone who is a new driver, you more than anyone should be familiarising yourself with your vehicle. They added checking oil and water to the driving test for the halfwits who didn't bother to read the manual...

They added it to the driving test because the vast majority of people taking their test don't own a car, thus have no manual to read but still need to know things such as which parts do what and where they are located within the car. I am familiarising myself with the car, thats why I asked on here for help with it. As stated in a previous post I now have download a manual to read through.

I appreciate it may have seemed a silly question to an experienced motorist, but everyone is a new driver at some point and shouldn't be made to feel bad for asking questions.