Is One of the Lights on Your BMW's Dashboard on?

Let our Team Translate what those Dashboard Lights Actually Mean

Here at BMW of Kansas City South, we understand that our customers aren't experts in their vehicles. That's why, it's no surprise to us that many of our customers don't have a clear understanding of their vehicle's dashboard warning lights. With this in mind, our team is here to explain what some of the most common warning lights actually mean.

Sometimes a warning light going off on your dashboard simply means that you may be low on fuel, and that you should be looking to stop at a gas station in the coming miles; or a light going off could mean that your BMW's emergency brake is engaged and must be released before you begin driving. Other warning lights - including the tire pressure light, battery light, or brake wear light, can be remedied by stopping by our Service Center.

Other lights, however, have the potential to indicate a much more serious problem. The ESC/ESP warning light could very well mean that your BMW would be unable to stabilize itself in the event of a skid. Beyond that, the airbag indicator warns of a malfunction in the SRS and could potentially fatal if your vehicle is involved in an accident. With this in mind, it's vitally important to understand what a light means when it goes off on your dashboard.

If you have questions about your vehicle's indicator lights, or if a light has recently gone on, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with the team in our Service Center. Conveniently located in Kansas City, MO and just a short drive away from Overland Park, Olathe, Shawnee and Independence, our team members are here to ensure that your vehicle is running as safely as possible.

Get the Inside Scoop on Your Vehicle's Check Engine Light

Here at BMW of Kansas City South, the team in our Service Center is committed to keeping your BMW in pristine condition. Unfortunately, the occasional problem does arise. One of these problems? Your BMW's check engine light. With this in mind, our team has developed a handy guide that will give you the inside scoop on why your vehicle's engine light may have been turned on...

The Most Common Reasons the Check Engine Light Goes Off

  1. Your vehicle's oxygen sensor is what monitors the unburned oxygen from the exhaust, helping to monitor how much fuel is burned. If your engine light has gone off, it could be a sign that your BMW's oxygen sensor needs replacing.
  2. Quite often, a vehicle's engine light goes off simply because your vehicle's gas cap is loose or faulty. While you may not think your BMW's gas cap is not important, it being loose or faulty could mean that fuel vapors are leaking out.
  3. Your BMW's catalytic converter helps to protect the environment by converting harmful carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. If your catalytic convertor is failing, not only will your check engine light of off but you'll also notice a decrease in gas mileage.
  4. Your car's mass airflow sensor tells its computer to add the proper amount of fuel based on the air coming through to its engine. A faulty sensor can increase emissions and decrease gas mileage. Meaning, if your check engine light goes off, you should very well be checking this sensor.

Whether your check engine light is on or you have questions about what to do if it does turn on, we invite you to stop by our Service Center today. Conveniently located in Kansas City, MO and just a short drive away from Overland Park, Olathe, Shawnee and Independence, we look forward to welcoming you in to our Service Center soon.