Cadillac Dashboard Warning Lights Guide
When a new light pops up on your Cadillac dashboard, it can be stressful. This research page explains what common Cadillac dashboard warning lights usually mean, how urgent they are, and when it is time to visit our service team at Hennessy Cadillac in Duluth, GA.
Icons and behavior can vary by model and year. Always confirm details in your owner’s manual and on Cadillac’s official support site. Use this guide as a clear, local reference that helps you decide your next step.
How Cadillac Dashboard Warning Lights Work
Your dashboard is tied to many sensors and control modules. When something needs your attention, the system lights up a symbol, often with a short message on the Driver Information Center.
In general:
- Some lights are status indicators that show a feature is active.
- Others are warning lights that flag a fault or low fluid level.
- Some are critical alerts that tell you to stop driving as soon as it is safe.
- Many lights turn on briefly at start-up as a self check, then turn off again once the system has verified that everything is working.
Modern Cadillacs can also store diagnostic trouble codes. Our factory trained technicians can read these codes with Cadillac specific equipment and track down the source of a warning light.
Dashboard Light Colors and What They Mean
You can often judge urgency by color. We encourage drivers around Duluth and Gwinnett County to pay close attention to both color and behavior.
Red warning lights
- Usually point to safety or serious system problems.
- Can relate to brakes, oil pressure, engine temperature, airbags, or high voltage systems on EVs.
- Often mean you should stop driving as soon as it is safe and contact our service team.
- May come on with a chime or a message, which is the vehicle’s way of asking for immediate attention.
Amber or yellow warning lights
- Indicate a system that needs attention soon.
- Can include the check engine light, stability control, traction control, or tire pressure warnings.
- Often allow you to drive with care for a short time, but the vehicle should be inspected soon.
- Usually cause a fault code to be stored in the vehicle computer, which helps our technicians diagnose the issue.
Green, or blue indicator lights
- Show that a feature is on, such as high beams or certain driver assist systems.
- Act as reminders so you know which systems are active during your drive.
A flashing version of a light, especially the check engine light, usually means higher urgency than a steady light.
Engine and Powertrain Warning Lights
Problems with the engine or powertrain can get expensive if ignored. These are some of the most important warning lights to respect.
- May show as an outline of an engine or the words “Check Engine”.
- Can be triggered by many issues, from a loose gas cap to sensor faults to more serious engine problems.
- A flashing check engine light often points to a misfire that can damage the catalytic converter if you keep driving.
- Usually looks like a thermometer in water.
- Lets you know the engine is running hotter than normal.
- If this light comes on, safely pull over, shut off the engine, and let it cool. Do not open the coolant cap while the engine is hot.
- Driving with an overheating engine can lead to head gasket damage or complete engine failure.
- Often looks like an oil can icon.
- May mean low oil level or a problem with oil pressure.
- Driving with this light on can cause serious engine damage in a short time.
- Stop as soon as it is safe and call us for help so we can guide you on the next step.
- On some models, especially EVs, this message means the vehicle is protecting itself by limiting power.
- You may notice slower acceleration or a limit on top speed.
- You should schedule service as soon as possible to avoid a breakdown.
- If the vehicle feels unsafe to drive, pull over in a safe place and contact our team.
Brake, Steering, and Stability Control Lights
Safe stopping and control are critical on busy Duluth and Atlanta roads.
- Can relate to the parking brake, brake fluid level, or a fault in the hydraulic system.
- A red brake warning light that stays on while driving should never be ignored.
- If braking feels soft, spongy, or the pedal travels farther than normal, pull over in a safe place and contact our service department.
- You may also see this light if the parking brake is partially engaged, so check that first.
- Signals a problem with the anti lock braking system.
- The vehicle can still brake, but the wheels may lock in a hard stop or on slick roads.
- You should have the ABS checked soon, especially with North Georgia rain and wet pavement.
- In some cases, the ABS light can appear along with stability control warnings.
- May flash during normal driving when the system is helping you maintain grip.
- If the light stays on, the system may be limited or turned off.
- Use extra care on curves, ramps, or during heavy rain and schedule service.
- Some vehicles have a separate indicator when the driver has manually turned off traction or stability control.
Some models also have steering system warning lights. Any change in steering feel along with a warning light should be inspected right away.
Tire, TPMS, and Driveline Indicators
Your tires are the only part of your Cadillac that touches the road. Proper pressure and traction are vital for safety and comfort.
- Usually appears as a cross section of a tire with an exclamation mark.
- Tells you that one or more tires may be underinflated or, in some cases, overinflated.
- Sudden temperature swings around Duluth, Suwanee, and Lawrenceville can cause this light to turn on even when tires are not damaged.
- You should check your pressures with a gauge and adjust them to the values on the driver’s door label.
- If the light stays on after adjustment, there may be a sensor or system issue that we can diagnose.
- Some models have warning lights for all wheel drive or traction related systems.
- These can indicate that the system is temporarily disabled due to temperature, wheel speed differences, or a fault.
- You may notice a change in how the vehicle behaves on loose or slick surfaces.
- If you often drive in rain or on hilly roads around Gwinnett, it is smart to have these checked so the vehicle can provide the traction support you expect.
Battery, Charging, and EV Warning Lights
Both gasoline and electric Cadillacs use warning lights to flag electrical problems.
- Often looks like a battery icon.
- Indicates the charging system may not be working correctly.
- If this light comes on while driving, your Cadillac may be running only on battery power.
- The vehicle can stall once the battery is drained, so you should drive directly to our service center if possible or call for help.
- In some cases, other systems may shut down or limit features to conserve power.
On Cadillac EVs and plug in models, you may see:
- High voltage system warning icons.
- “Service Electric Vehicle System” or similar messages.
- Low state of charge alerts that encourage you to charge soon.
- Warnings related to charge port doors or high voltage isolation faults.
These lights are important for both safety and range. When they appear, it is best to have our EV trained team in Duluth inspect the vehicle with Cadillac approved tools rather than trying to guess at the cause.
When you plug in an EV, lights near the charge port can show:
- That the vehicle is connected and ready to charge.
- That charging is in progress.
- That charging is complete.
- That a fault or charging problem has been detected.
The owner’s manual explains each pattern for your specific model. If something does not look right, reach out before your next commute so we can help you avoid surprises.
Safety and Driver Assistance System Lights
Modern Cadillacs use icons to let you know when safety and driver assist features are active or limited.
Common examples include:
- Lane keep assist or lane departure icons that turn green when active and amber when you drift outside your lane without signaling.
- Forward collision alert symbols that show a vehicle with warning lines in front.
- Icons that indicate Automatic Emergency Braking or related systems are off or need service.
- Blind spot monitoring or rear cross traffic alert indicators that warn you of vehicles beside or behind you.
These systems are designed to assist the driver, not replace safe driving habits. If a safety related light stays on, drive with extra care and schedule service so that your Cadillac can support you on I-85 and local roads as intended.
Lighting, Visibility, and Convenience Icons
Some icons are simply reminders about features you turned on or off. They still matter because they change how your Cadillac behaves in different conditions.
You may see:
- A blue high beam headlight icon when high beams are active.
- Fog light indicators that show when front or rear fog lights are on.
- Icons for automatic high beam systems that manage high and low beams for you.
- Lights that show when stability or traction control has been manually turned off.
These are not warnings, but they help you keep track of comfort and visibility features during night drives or in bad weather.
Service Reminder and Maintenance Indicator Lights
Your Cadillac may use a wrench symbol, text messages, or other icons to remind you when routine service is due.
These reminders are based on:
- Time and mileage since your last visit.
- The oil life monitoring system and driving conditions.
- Completed services stored in the vehicle history.
- Additional items such as brake fluid, cabin filters, or other scheduled checks.
Clearing a reminder without doing the service can lead to wear, reduced performance, or costly repairs later. Our service advisors can review your maintenance schedule and set up a plan that fits your driving pattern around Duluth, Alpharetta, and the greater Atlanta area.
What To Do When a Dashboard Warning Light Comes On
You do not need to be a technician to respond the right way to a new light. A simple, careful process can keep you safe and protect your Cadillac.
- Notice the color and behavior.Red or flashing lights usually need faster action than solid amber lights.
- Check for a message.The Driver Information Center may give extra details in plain language.
- Listen and feel for changes.Pay attention to any strange sounds, smells, vibrations, or changes in steering and braking.
- Consult your owner’s manual.It will show the exact icon and explain possible causes for your model and year.
- Decide if it is safe to continue.If the light is red, you smell something unusual, see smoke or steam, or the vehicle feels different, pull over in a safe place and call for assistance.
- Contact a Cadillac certified service team.We can help you decide if you can drive in, or if a tow is the safer choice.
Paying attention early can protect your safety, prevent breakdowns on busy highways, and help you avoid larger repair costs.
Cadillac Warning Light Service in Duluth, GA
When a warning light appears, you do not have to guess what is going on. At Hennessy Cadillac, our team uses Cadillac specific diagnostic equipment and service information to track down electrical, mechanical, and software related causes behind dashboard lights.
We provide:
- Factory approved diagnosis and repairs for gas and electric Cadillacs.
- Routine maintenance that clears service reminders and keeps systems in top shape.
- EV and hybrid diagnostics for drivers who have moved into Cadillac electric models.
- Support for drivers from Duluth, Alpharetta, Atlanta, Berkeley Lake, Buford, Dacula, Gwinnett Place, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Sandy Springs, and Suwanee.
You will find us at 3377 Satellite Blvd., Duluth, GA 30096 or you can call us at (888) 330-1916. If a new light appears on your dash, schedule service online or call our team. We will help you understand what your Cadillac is telling you and get you back on the road with confidence.
Check Engine or Malfunction Indicator Lamp 
