Nissan Altima Dashboard Lights

If you're casually driving down the road, and you see a light pop up on the dashboard of your Nissan Altima, it's important to understand what that light is trying to tell you. To help drivers around Indianapolis, Lawrence, and Speedway, IN, better understand these warning lights, we've created this Nissan Altima dashboard guide.

Some of the lights discussed in this article will include tire pressure warning, brake warning, and charge warning. If you want more information, you can always contact your friends at Andy Mohr Nissan!

Warning Lights

Out of all the lights on your dashboard, likely the most important ones are going to be your warning lights. These lights are there to let you know when there’s a part malfunction, and you should have your vehicle diagnosed as soon as possible.

Warning lights will often shine red or yellow. It’s a good idea to know which lights to look out for, so you can be sure you’re getting your car the care it needs as soon as possible.

Brake Light

If your regular brakes begin to act wonky, you'll see one of two symbols, the first being the word “BRAKE” appearing in a light on your dashboard. The second symbol you could see is an exclamation point inside of a circle, which is inside parentheses.

This warning light can mean a couple of different things. First, you may be low on brake fluid. The other possibility is that the parking brake is jammed or malfunctioning. Either way, you should have your brakes inspected by a professional before attempting to drive.

Malfunction Indicator Light

One of the most common warning lights you might see is your Malfunction Indicator Light/Check Engine Light. This light looks like a cutaway of your engine and it’s used to indicate a general malfunction within your engine.

At times, this light means you should have your engine looked at soon, but it doesn’t always warrant a need to pull over and request help. If this light starts blinking, it’s a sign that you have a more serious issue that needs immediate attention.

Charge Warning Light 

The charge warning light will be a battery with a little plus and minus sign on either side of it, which indicates that your battery isn't charging correctly.

The car battery is a vital feature that plays a major role in various components, including turning your vehicle on. If this light appears, it's a good idea to have your battery checked as quickly as possible.

ABS Light

If a light appears on your dashboard reading "ABS" in all caps, this is a warning light for your anti-lock braking system.

Often, this light will come on when you start the car before quickly disappearing. This actually indicates that the anti-lock brakes are functional.

However, if this light pops up while you're driving, you should get your anti-lock brakes checked, as there may be an issue. Also, just because the anti-lock brakes stop working, that doesn't mean your regular brakes are malfunctioning.

Low Tire Pressure Light

The low tire pressure warning light looks like an exclamation point inside of a horseshoe. This light is an important one, as it indicates that a tire is currently below the recommended pressure.

If this is the case, refill your tires as soon as possible. If this light persists, have your tires looked at by a professional.

Power Steering Light

The power steering warning light is simply a steering wheel with an exclamation point beside it. This is another light that may turn on right after you start the car before quickly fading away. This lets you know that the power steering is functional.

On the other hand, if this light comes on when you're driving, it means there is a malfunction with your power steering. This doesn't mean you'll lose control of the vehicle, but it'll be much more difficult to turn.

If this occurs, take your Nissan Altima into the shop for an inspection.

Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light

If it’s been a long time since you last changed your oil, you may see the engine oil pressure warning light come on. This light that looks like a dripping oil can is used to tell you when you’re getting low on oil. Generally, it’s your first sign before your engine starts taking damage.

It’s a good idea to make sure you have your oil changed as soon as possible if you see this light.

Indicator Lights

Of course, there are lights on your dashboard that exist just to provide you with information that something is on.

These are your indicator lights, and they often shine blue or green, although there are some that shine red. You can pay attention to these to be sure that your vehicle is operating correctly.

Electronic Parking Brake Indicator

If you turn on your parking brake, a light that looks like the word “PARK” in big, bold letters will appear.

This light will appear red, but it’s not like your brake light. This is simply there to let you know that your parking brake is engaged.

All-Wheel Drive Indicator Light

If your Nissan Altima is equipped with all-wheel drive, your vehicle will let you know when you’re in all-wheel drive with this light. It will look like a diagram of your drivetrain with the letters “AWD” in the center.

High Beam Assist Indicator Light

If your vehicle is equipped with High Beam Assist, you might see this green indicator light appear.

The High Beam Assist light will look like a headlight with an “A” in the center of it. This is simply there to tell you that you’re currently in the High Beam Assist mode.

Front Fog Light Indicator Light

If your vehicle is equipped with fog lights, you’ll see this light turn on when you switch on your fog lights. This light looks like a headlight with a squiggly line behind it.

Understand Your Nissan Altima Dashboard Lights

All drivers near Indianapolis, Lawrence, and Speedway, Indiana, should understand what the warning lights mean in their Nissan Altima.

If any of these lights pop up, contact Andy Mohr Nissan, and we'll happily take a look at your car!