Your dashboard and instrument cluster are loaded with information about your drive. From systems that you turn on to maintenance reminders to service problems, the lights just in front of your steering wheel can tell you a lot about how your SUV is running.

So, what do all those symbols inside the Audi Q5 mean anyway? To help drivers in Ithaca, Corning, and Binghamton figure out what your car is trying to tell you, Audi Ithaca put this Audi Q5 dashboard light guide together.

Yellow Lights

Yellow lights are used to let you know that there's been a malfunction. Most of these lights aren't for urgent problems, but they should be dealt with as soon as possible. Some of the yellow lights that you should be aware of are:

• Anti-Lock Braking System - The letters ABS will appear when there's a problem with your anti-lock braking system. You'll still be able to slow down and stop safely using your other brakes, but you should get these looked at as soon as possible.
• Brake Pads - The Audi Q5 offers more information than most vehicles. Brake pads wear down by design. Normally, a technician looks at how thick they are when you stop by for maintenance or an inspection. This SUV lets you know that it's time for new brake pads by putting the words BRAKE WEAR on your instrument cluster.
• Malfunction Indicator Lamp - This alert has a long name but is more often referred to as your CHECK ENGINE light. It looks like your engine and usually turns on when there's a problem with your vehicle's emissions control system.
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System - Often abbreviated as TPMS, when one or more of your tires is low on air, you'll see a yellow light that looks like a set of wheels rolling down the road

Red Lights

A red light is a more serious warning. These often mean that you'll need to act right away. Some even require you to pull over, stop the car, and call a tow truck. For a safe drive, it's good to know what the following red warning lights mean:

• Transmission - If you see an exclamation mark inside a gear or cog, it means that there's a problem with your transmission. Either it's overheating, you're low on transmission fluid, or it's not able to shift.
• Cooling System - When your engine is low on coolant, the instrument cluster will show you a red light that looks like an old thermometer floating on some waves. If you continue driving your engine will start overheating.
• Brake System - The word BRAKE on your instrument cluster means that your brakes have failed. Pull over right away. It is not safe to drive with faulty brakes.
• Engine Oil Pressure - If you're overdue for an oil change, you'll see a light that looks like an old-fashioned oil can. Continuing to drive without enough oil can cause problems for your engine.
• Electrical System - This is one red light where it's not recommended that you stop the car. A light that looks like your car battery means there's a problem with the battery, alternator, or charging system. If you turn the car off, it may not turn on again. Instead, drive directly to the service center.

Audi Service Center

To learn more about this Audi Q5 dashboard light guide visit our service center. At Audi Ithaca, we can help drivers all over Ithaca, Corning, and Binghamton. Our service center features a team of factory trained technicians, plus we use genuine Audi parts and accessories. If you've noticed any of these lights on your dashboard, schedule service with us online.