If you're staring at a glowing symbol on your instrument cluster, you possibly need a quick breakdown of the 2013 chevy dashboard symbols and meanings before a person start worrying regarding a massive repair costs. It's a nerve-racking moment when you're just driving along, minding your own business, and suddenly the little yellow or red light pops up to ruin your entire day. For those associated with us driving the 2013 Chevy—whether it's a Silverado, the Cruze, an Equinox, or a Malibu—these lights are the car's only way of telling all of us something is incorrect.
The good news is that most associated with these lights don't mean your engine is about in order to explode. Some are simply helpful reminders, while others are definitely a "pull over right now" kind of scenario. Let's get into what these symbols actually mean and how much you need to realistically worry regarding them.
The Color Code: Crimson, Yellow, and Green
Before all of us look at the particular specific icons, this helps to understand the particular "traffic light" logic Chevy used back again in 2013.
Crimson symbols are your crisis lights. If you visit a red star, it usually indicates something is screwing up or has already failed. These are usually the ones that will require immediate interest. If a red lighting is flashing, it's much worse.
Yellow or Lemon symbols are more like a "heads up. " Something isn't very right, or even a program is being deactivated. You don't always need to contact a tow truck immediately, but you shouldn't ignore this for a month, either.
Green or Glowing blue symbols are just informational. They're telling you that a system—like your cruise handle or high beams—is currently turned on and working.
The Scary Ones: Critical Engine and Safety Lights
The Check Motor Light (The Motor Outline)
This particular is the one everyone dreads. It's shaped like the little engine stop and usually glows amber. In a 2013 Chevy, this lighting is triggered by the Onboard Analysis (OBD) system. It may be something as simple as being a loose gas cover or even something as annoying being a failing o2 sensor or catalytic converter. If it's solid, get it scanned when you are able. When it's flashing , prevent driving. A blinking check engine lighting means a "misfire" is happening, which could melt your costly catalytic converter within minutes.
The particular Oil Pressure Light (The Genie Lamp)
If you visit a red essential oil can dripping the little drop, don't ignore it. This particular isn't telling you that you're "low" on oil—though you may be—it's telling you that essential oil pressure has dropped. Without having pressure, oil isn't reaching the top of the engine, and metal is grinding against metal. In case this light remains on while you're driving, stop and shut the motor off immediately.
The Battery/Charging System Light (The Rectangle)
This looks like a little Lego brick with a plus and less sign. It indicates your 2013 Chevy isn't getting enough juice through the alternator, or the battery power itself is perishing. If this springs up while you're driving, your car is essentially running on "borrowed time" from no matter what charge is still left in the battery. Turn off the AC, the stereo, and the warmed seats to save strength until you will get to a shop.
Safety and Braking Symbols
The ABS Lighting
This one particular is pretty straightforward; it just states "ABS" inside the circle. The Anti-lock Braking is what keeps your wheels from locking up throughout a hard halt. If this lighting is on, your normal brakes will still work, but you won't have that "pulse" feature throughout an emergency. It's usually a bad wheel speed sensor—a very common issue on Chevys in the early 2010s.
Tire Pressure Monitor (The Horseshoe with an Exclamation Point)
Technically, it's meant to look like the cross-section of the tire, several individuals see a horseshoe. This means one or more of your tires is low on air. On the 2013 Chevy, these sensors can be a bit finicky, especially when the elements gets cold. If you fill your auto tires and the light stays on, the particular sensor might require to be "relearned" or the battery pack in the sensor within the wheel offers finally died right after a decade of service.
Stabilitrak / Traction Control (The Car with Squiggly Lines)
You'll see a car with 2 curvy lines behind it. This system helps keep a person from sliding upon ice or rainfall. If it whizzes while you're traveling on a slippery street, it's just telling you it's working. If it remains on constantly, the system is disabled. Interestingly, on many 2013 Chevys, a Stabilitrak light can in fact become caused by an engine issue, because the computer shuts off traction control when the engine isn't running perfectly.
Heat and Fluids
Engine Coolant Heat (The Thermometer in Water)
If this red symbol arises, your engine is usually overheating. 2013 models, especially the Cruze with its 1. 4L turbo motor, were somewhat known for coolant leaks. If you notice this, pull more than and let the car cool down. Never open the radiator cap while the engine is definitely hot, unless you want a trip to the hospital.
Low Fuel (The Gas Pump)
We all know this one, yet it's worth bringing up. In most 2013 Chevys, this lighting occurs when a person have about 2 gallons of gas left. It's not really a great idea in order to let it get this particular low frequently, because the fuel in fact helps cool the fuel pump.
The "Reduced Engine Power" Information
While not exactly a symbol, this particular text often jumps up on the little screen in the middle associated with your dash along with the check engine light. This really is "Limp Mode. " The car's computer has detected a fault so severe (usually with the electronic throttle body) it limits your own speed to safeguard the engine. It's frustrating, but it's designed to keep you from totally coming the motor.
Miscellaneous Icons You may See
- Security Light: A vehicle having a lock or just a padlock icon. Issue is blinking, your vehicle might not start because it doesn't recognize the key.
- Airbag Lighting: A person sitting having a big circle in front of them. This indicates the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) provides a fault. Within an accident, your own airbags might not really deploy, so you'll want a mechanic to check the cable connections under the seats.
- Luxury cruise Control: Usually looks such as a speedometer with an arrow. If it's white, it's ready; if it's green, it's energetic.
Why Perform These Lights Maintain Coming On?
By now, the 2013 Chevy is usually well over a decade old. Detectors don't last forever. Heat, vibration, and road salt eventually take their toll on the wiring and the receptors themselves. If you're seeing multiple lighting at once—like the particular ABS, Stabilitrak, and Brake lights all glowing—it's often the sign of a single failed steering wheel speed sensor or even a weak car battery. Contemporary cars (yes, 2013 is modern enough) act very oddly when the battery volts isn't consistent.
Wrapping Things Up
Understanding 2013 chevy dashboard symbols and meanings is mostly regarding staying calm and checking the fundamentals first. Before a person panic and believe your transmission is definitely shot, inspect gasoline cap, inspect oil level, and make sure your battery pack terminals aren't protected in corrosion.
If the light is yellowish, you've got time to plan a visit to the mechanic. If it's red and related in order to oil or heat, stop the moment it's safe. Keeping a cheap OBDII program code reader in your glovebox is furthermore a pro shift; it can inform you precisely why that check engine lighting is on, saving you a great deal of guesswork and potentially a lot of money with the shop. Your Chevy is attempting to talk to you—you simply have to understand how to listen.