What the Dashboard Lights Mean on a Honda Civic

On a Honda Civic, red lights mean stop safely and address the issue immediately, amber/yellow lights mean there’s a problem you should diagnose soon, and green/blue lights simply confirm a feature or status. In short: red = urgent, amber = caution, green/blue = information. Below is a plain-language guide to the most common icons you’ll see across recent Civic generations, including models with Honda Sensing and hybrid variants.

How Honda groups indicator colors

Honda uses color to signal urgency. Understanding this simple code helps you decide when to pull over versus when to schedule service.

• Red: A safety- or damage-related issue that may require you to stop driving immediately.
• Amber/Yellow: A system fault or low fluid/pressure condition that needs attention soon.
• Green/Blue/White: Status or confirmation lights showing a feature is on or conditions are normal (e.g., high beams, cruise control).

If you remember nothing else: red is stop, amber is caution, and green/blue is informational.

Red lights that require immediate attention

Stop safely now: critical red warnings

These red warnings can indicate conditions that risk engine or brake failure. Pull over safely, shut the car off if appropriate, and seek assistance.

• Engine oil pressure (oil can icon): Oil pressure is dangerously low. Stop the engine immediately to prevent damage.
• Charging system (battery icon): The alternator/charging system isn’t working; the car may stall as the battery depletes.
• Brake system (BRAKE or red exclamation in a circle): If the parking brake isn’t engaged, this can mean low brake fluid or hydraulic failure. Stop carefully.
• High engine temperature (thermometer icon; some models show a red temp indicator): Engine is overheating. Pull over, idle to cool if safe, and do not open a hot radiator cap.
• Power system warning (hybrid): Indicates an electric drive or high-voltage fault. Stop safely and call for service.

When these appear, continuing to drive can cause damage or a loss of control. Treat them as urgent.

Serious red indicators to address ASAP

These red lights warrant prompt attention, though you may be able to drive cautiously to a safe location or service center.

• SRS airbag (AIRBAG/SRS icon): Airbags or seatbelt pretensioners may not deploy correctly. Drive cautiously; fix as soon as possible.
• Seat belt reminder (person with belt): Buckle up; the alert persists while moving.
• Door/Trunk open (car with open door/trunk): A latch isn’t closed; secure it before continuing.

While not always immediately dangerous, these warnings affect safety systems and should be resolved quickly.

Amber/Yellow lights that warn of a problem

Amber lights flag issues that need diagnosis soon to avoid damage, poor performance, or disabled driver aids.

• Check Engine/MIL: Emissions or engine control fault. Steady light means schedule service soon; flashing usually means a misfire—reduce load and service immediately.
• ABS: Anti-lock braking is disabled; normal brakes may still work but without ABS modulation.
• VSA/Traction control (triangle with exclamation or car with squiggly lines): Stability/traction system is off or has a fault; traction may be reduced.
• TPMS (tire with exclamation): One or more tires are low on pressure; inflate to the door-jamb placard. A flashing TPMS light often means a system malfunction.
• EPS/Power steering (steering wheel with exclamation): Electric power steering problem; steering may feel heavy.
• Transmission/CVT indicator (gear/exclamation or blinking “D”): Transmission or shift control fault; avoid hard acceleration and have it checked.
• Low fuel: Refuel soon to prevent fuel pump damage and avoid running out.
• Maintenance Minder (wrench icon): The car is due for scheduled service; check the A/B and numeric subcodes (see below).
• Washer fluid low (if equipped): Refill washer reservoir.

Addressing these warnings promptly helps prevent bigger repairs and keeps driver-assistance features working.

Green/Blue information and status lights

These lights confirm a setting or driving condition; they’re typically not warnings.

• High beams (blue headlamp icon): High beams are active.
• Turn signals/Indicators (green arrows): Signaling left or right; a fast blink often means a burned-out bulb.
• Cruise/ACC active: Standard cruise or Adaptive Cruise Control is engaged and controlling speed.
• LKAS active (lane markers icon): Lane Keeping Assist is actively providing steering assistance.
• ECON/Eco mode (leaf icon): Fuel-saving throttle/transmission mapping is selected.
• Auto idle-stop (A icon): Engine is temporarily stopped at a light to save fuel; it restarts automatically.
• Brake Hold (green “HOLD”): Holds the brakes at a stop until you press the accelerator.
• EV mode/Ready (hybrid): EV indicates electric drive; READY means the hybrid system is on and able to move even if the engine is off.

If a green/blue light behaves unexpectedly (e.g., flickers or changes color), check for corresponding amber messages in the instrument cluster.

Honda Sensing and ADAS indicators (Civic 2019–2025 and newer)

Most recent Civics include Honda Sensing. These icons indicate status or faults in driver-assistance systems. Colors vary by model year: white/green for standby/active, amber for faults or when a system is off.

• CMBS/Collision Mitigation Braking System (car with star icon): Amber or “OFF” means CMBS is disabled or has a fault; clean the windshield/radar and check for alerts.
• RDM/Road Departure Mitigation (car leaving lane): Amber indicates the feature is off or unavailable (poor lane lines, bad weather, or fault).
• LKAS (lane lines): White = available, green = actively assisting, amber = problem or off.
• ACC/Adaptive Cruise (ACC text or car + gauge icon): Shows standby/active; amber indicates the system is unavailable or faulted.
• Traffic Sign Recognition (speed sign icon): Recognized sign display; faults or camera blockage may trigger amber warnings.
• Auto High-Beam (A with headlamp): Green when controlling beams automatically; amber/white when standby or blocked.

If ADAS lights appear with weather or debris on sensors, cleaning the windshield area in front of the camera and the front grille radar often restores function.

The Maintenance Minder light and codes

Honda’s Maintenance Minder (wrench icon) shows service due by percentage and code. An “A” or “B” main code appears with numeric subcodes. Check your cluster or infotainment “Maintenance” menu for specifics.

1. Main A: Replace engine oil.
2. Main B: Replace engine oil and filter; inspect brakes, suspension, steering, tires, and fluid levels.
3. Subcode 1: Rotate tires.
4. Subcode 2: Replace engine air filter and cabin filter; inspect drive belt.
5. Subcode 3: Replace transmission (CVT) fluid, if equipped.
6. Subcode 4: Replace spark plugs; inspect valve clearance (engine-dependent).
7. Subcode 5: Replace engine coolant.
8. Subcode 6: Rear differential fluid (seen on AWD Hondas; not applicable to Civic).
9. Subcode 7: Replace brake fluid (typically every 3 years, time-based).

Your Civic’s model year and powertrain determine which subcodes apply; always confirm with the owner’s manual or in-vehicle menu.

Quick actions to take when a light comes on

These steps help you respond safely and avoid costly damage when a warning appears.

1. Check the color: Red demands immediate caution; amber needs prompt attention; green/blue is informational.
2. Read the message: Many Civics display plain-language explanations in the cluster.
3. Stabilize the car: Reduce speed and heavy loads; avoid hard acceleration if powertrain lights are on.
4. Verify basics: Confirm parking brake is off; check fuel level and tire pressures.
5. Address criticals: For oil pressure, charging, or overheating, pull over safely and call for assistance.
6. Document and diagnose: Note conditions, take a photo of the cluster, and scan for codes if you have an OBD-II reader.
7. Schedule service: Use HondaLink or a trusted shop to resolve amber warnings and maintenance codes.

Timely action keeps you safe and often turns a minor issue into an easy fix.

Where to find official meanings

The definitive source is your Civic’s owner’s manual and in-car “Warnings” or “Maintenance” menus. The HondaLink app and Honda’s owner website also show indicator definitions by model year. Icon designs can vary slightly between generations (e.g., 10th-gen 2016–2021 vs. 11th-gen 2022–2025).

Summary

On a Honda Civic, dashboard lights are a color-coded language: red means stop safely and fix now, amber means there’s a problem to address soon, and green/blue confirms normal operations or features in use. Learn the key icons—oil pressure, charging, brake, engine temperature, check-engine, ABS/VSA, TPMS, and Honda Sensing statuses—and follow the Maintenance Minder codes to keep your Civic safe, efficient, and reliable.

Does Honda Civic tell you when the battery is low?

Warning Light on Dashboard: Honda vehicles are equipped with a battery-shaped warning light. This light often appears on the dashboard when the battery is weak. It means the charging system isn’t working properly. The light may also come on if the battery is low or there is a loose connection.

What do light symbols mean in car headlights?

Car headlight symbols indicate their status or indicate a problem. A blue symbol with lines pointing right means your high beams are on, while a green symbol with lines pointing right means your low beams are on. A symbol with a slash through the lines indicates a problem, such as a bulb being out.
 
Here’s a breakdown of common headlight symbols:
Headlight Activation Symbols

• Low Beam Symbol: . Opens in new tabA green light displaying a rounded shape (like a capital “D”) with the lines pointing to the right, indicating your low beams are active. 
• High Beam Symbol: . Opens in new tabA blue light displaying the same rounded shape, but with the lines pointing straight to the right. 

Headlight Status Symbols

• Lamp Out Symbol: . Opens in new tabA light that is yellow or white, with the standard headlight symbol but with a slash through the lines, indicating a malfunctioning bulb. 
• Automatic High-Beam Indicator: . Opens in new tabAn indicator on newer cars that shows “A” next to the high-beam symbol, often changing from white to blue, signifying that the automatic high-beam system is engaged. 
• Headlight Control Symbol: . Opens in new tabThe symbol on your car’s control dial shows the different settings, such as parking lights, low beams, and high beams. 

What do these dashboard lights mean?

Dashboard lights provide crucial information about your car’s system status; red lights signal an immediate safety risk or mechanical failure requiring you to pull over and seek service, while yellow or orange lights indicate a system issue that needs prompt attention from a mechanic. Blue or green lights typically mean a system is actively in use, such as your headlights or turn signals. Always check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for specific meanings and to confirm what to do when a light illuminates.
 
This video explains the meaning of common dashboard warning lights: 1mThe Engineers PostYouTube · Aug 21, 2022
Common Dashboard Lights and Their Meanings

• Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Lamp): . Opens in new tabThis light indicates a potential issue with the engine, emission system, or fuel system. A blinking light signifies a more serious problem. 
• Battery Charging Light: . Opens in new tabA car-shaped battery icon signals a problem with the vehicle’s charging system, such as a faulty alternator or battery. 
• Coolant Temperature Warning Light: . Opens in new tabResembling a thermometer, this light warns that the engine is overheating, which is a serious issue that requires immediate attention. 
• Brake System Warning Light: . Opens in new tabThis light can mean your parking brake is engaged or there’s a problem with the brake fluid or system, such as low brake fluid or worn brake pads. 
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light: . Opens in new tabThis indicates that one or more tires have low air pressure, or there may be a fault with the TPMS sensors themselves. 
• Oil Pressure Warning Light: . Opens in new tabAn oil can symbol indicates that the engine oil pressure is critically low, which can lead to severe engine damage if ignored. 

Key Color Meanings 

• Red: Immediately dangerous; pull over and get service.
• Yellow/Orange: Needs attention soon; schedule a check-up with a mechanic.
• Green/Blue: System is operating normally or is active, like your headlights or turn signals.

This video explains the meaning of dashboard warning lights based on color: 39sSimple Mechanic AdviceYouTube · Jan 1, 2025
What to Do When a Light Comes On

1. 1. Identify the Light: Note the symbol and color of the warning light. 
2. 2. Consult Your Owner’s Manual: This is the most reliable source for understanding what the specific light on your vehicle means. 
3. 3. Determine Urgency: A red light requires immediate action. A yellow or orange light means a visit to the mechanic is needed. 
4. 4. Take Action: If it’s a red warning, pull over safely. For a yellow or orange light, make an appointment to have your vehicle inspected. 

What do lights on a Honda dashboard mean?

Green dashboard lights are not cause for concern; continue driving normally. Yellow: A problem may be present. Caution should be exercised if these lights come on, and you should look into the issue. Red: Stop the car whenever possible, as a major problem has occurred. Bring your car to a service center immediately.