semiatic

Honda dashboard warning lights

18 lights that the Honda Civic Sedan handbook (2021) shows, each in our own drawing, with Honda's name for it next to ours, the colour the handbook gives it and what the handbook says to do. Tap a light for its full page.

Check your own handbook — models differ. This page is one handbook for one model. Another Honda model or year can have lamps this one lacks, or draw the same lamp differently; only your car's own handbook is sure.

Read this first

Honda calls every lamp an 'indicator' and sets each out as a table: when it comes on or blinks, what that means, and what to do. It uses VSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist) for stability control. It has two brake lamps: a red Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator (parking brake on, low fluid or a brake fault) and an amber one for the electric parking brake and brake-hold systems. Several lamps change meaning when they blink: the engine lamp blinking means a misfire — stop somewhere without anything flammable and let the engine cool for 10 minutes or more. This is a US handbook.

The 18 lights in the Honda Civic Sedan handbook

Brake system warning light

Honda calls it “Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator (Red)”.

On with the parking brake applied, brake fluid low or a brake problem. While driving: make sure the parking brake is off and check the fluid level.

Colour in this handbook: Red

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Check engine light (engine malfunction)

Honda calls it “Malfunction Indicator Lamp”.

On: an emissions control problem — have it checked. Blinking: a misfire — stop, let the engine cool for 10 minutes or more, then see a dealer.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Oil pressure warning light (oil can)

Honda calls it “Low Oil Pressure Indicator”.

On while driving: engine oil pressure is low — immediately stop in a safe place.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: red)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Battery / charging warning light

Honda calls it “Charging System Indicator”.

The battery is not charging. Turn off the climate control and rear defogger to save electricity.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: red)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Gearbox (transmission) warning light

Honda calls it “Transmission System Indicator”.

Blinks if the transmission has a problem: avoid sudden starts and acceleration and see a dealer immediately.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Low fuel light

Honda calls it “Low Fuel Indicator”.

About 1.8 US gal (7.0 litres) left — refuel. Blinking: the fuel gauge has a problem.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

ABS warning light (anti-lock brakes)

Honda calls it “Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Indicator”.

Stays on: an ABS problem. Normal braking remains, without anti-lock.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Seat belt warning light

Honda calls it “Seat Belt Reminder Indicator”.

On with a beeper when a front occupant is unbelted; blinks while driving until both belts are fastened.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: red)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Airbag warning light

Honda calls it “Supplemental Restraint System Indicator”.

A problem with the airbags, side or curtain airbags or belt tensioners. On constantly, or never on: see a dealer.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber or red)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Stability control light (ESC)

Honda calls it “Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) System Indicator”.

Blinks while VSA® is working. Stays on: a VSA® or hill start assist problem.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Stability control off light (ESC OFF)

Honda calls it “Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) OFF Indicator”.

You have partly switched VSA® off.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Power steering warning light (EPS)

Honda calls it “Electric Power Steering (EPS) System Indicator”.

Stays on: a problem with the power steering — see a dealer.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: red or yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Low tyre pressure light (TPMS)

Honda calls it “Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator”.

On while driving: a tyre is significantly low. Stop safely, check and inflate; if it stays on, calibrate the system.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

TPMS light (tyre pressure monitor fault)

Honda calls it “Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator (blinking)”.

Blinks for about a minute then stays on: a TPMS problem, or the compact spare is fitted.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Auto Hold light

Honda calls it “Automatic Brake Hold Indicator”.

Automatic brake hold is holding the car.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: green or yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Turn signal indicator

Honda calls it “Turn Signal and Hazard Warning Indicators”.

Blinks with the turn signals or hazard lights; blinking fast or not at all means a bulb has failed.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: green)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

High beam (main beam) indicator

Honda calls it “High Beam Indicator”.

The high beams are on.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: blue or green)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Front fog light indicator

Honda calls it “Fog Light Indicator”.

The fog lights are on.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: green)

Confirmed by: Honda handbook — Honda Civic Sedan, 2021. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Not in this handbook

45 lights on this site are not shown by this handbook, so they are left off this page — among them parking brake light, brake pad wear warning light, engine coolant temperature warning light, side airbag warning light, passenger airbag off light, hazard warning light. That does not mean no Honda has them — only that this handbook does not. If your car shows one, find it by colour and shape.

Other makes

Source: the handbook

A light is listed only when this handbook shows it. The names in quotes are Honda's wording; the rest is ours, written from the handbook.