A warning light suddenly appearing on the dashboard can be worrying, especially when you are driving a rental car in Spain and may not be familiar with the vehicle. You might be travelling along the A-7 towards Alicante, driving the AP-7 towards Valencia or simply heading back to your accommodation when an unfamiliar red or yellow symbol suddenly appears.
The most important thing is not to ignore it. Modern vehicles can display dozens of different warning lights and messages. Spain’s Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) notes that the most important warnings are generally displayed in red or yellow, although the exact symbol and meaning can vary between vehicles.
For Blanca Cars customers, the rule is particularly simple: If a warning light or alarm indicates that something may be wrong with the vehicle, stop as soon as it is safe to do so and contact Blanca Cars.
The Blanca Cars rental terms specifically require customers to stop the vehicle as soon as possible when a warning light or alarm indicates an operating problem and to contact Blanca Cars for instructions. Customers should not arrange independent repairs or assistance without prior authorisation.
First: Don’t Panic
Seeing a warning light does not necessarily mean the engine is about to fail.
Modern cars monitor many different systems, from tyre pressure and emissions to engine temperature, braking systems and electrical charging.
Some alerts simply tell you that something needs attention.
Others indicate a potentially serious problem that means you should stop driving.
The important thing is to respond calmly.
Do not stare at the dashboard while continuing to drive.
Keep your attention on the road, reduce your speed if necessary and look for a safe place to stop.
Red or Yellow Warning Light: What’s the Difference?
As a general guide, red warning lights require more urgent attention than yellow or amber warnings.
DGT guidance explains that the most important dashboard warnings are commonly shown in red or yellow.
A useful way to think about them is:
Red Warning Light
A red warning can indicate a serious or safety-related problem.
You should normally find a safe place to stop as soon as possible.
Examples can include:
- Oil-pressure warning
- Engine-temperature warning
- Brake-system warning
- Serious electrical or charging fault
Yellow or Amber Warning Light
A yellow or amber warning normally means that a system needs attention or has detected a fault.
The vehicle may still appear to drive normally, but the warning should not simply be ignored.
Examples include:
- Engine-management light
- Tyre-pressure warning
- ABS warning
- Stability-control warning
- Diesel particulate filter warning
- AdBlue warning
However, colour alone should never be used to decide whether it is safe to continue driving.
The exact meaning depends on the vehicle.
And with a Blanca Cars rental vehicle, customers should contact us whenever a warning indicates an abnormality.
1. Red Oil-Pressure Warning Light
The oil-pressure warning is usually represented by an oil-can symbol.
If it remains illuminated while the engine is running, treat it seriously.
Driving an engine without adequate oil pressure can cause significant mechanical damage.
If the oil warning appears while driving:
Reduce your speed carefully.
Find a safe place to stop.
Switch off the engine.
Contact Blanca Cars.
Do not simply add engine oil yourself unless Blanca Cars specifically tells you to do so.
The problem may not simply be a low oil level.
2. Engine Temperature or Coolant Warning
This warning may look like a thermometer above waves or may be accompanied by a temperature message.
It can indicate that the engine temperature is too high.
This is particularly important when driving in Spain during the summer months.
If the temperature warning appears:
Stop somewhere safe as soon as possible.
Switch off the engine.
Do not continue driving simply because your hotel or villa is only a few kilometres away.
And do not open the coolant reservoir while the engine is hot.
Contact Blanca Cars and explain what has happened.
3. Battery or Charging-System Warning
The battery symbol can be confusing.
If it appears while the engine is running, it does not necessarily mean that the battery simply needs charging.
It can indicate that the vehicle’s charging system is not operating correctly.
If this warning remains illuminated while driving, contact Blanca Cars.
This situation is different from a car that has been successfully jump-started after a flat battery.
For advice following a jump-start, see our guide:
How Long to Drive After a Jump-Start to Recharge Your Battery
4. Engine-Management Warning Light
The engine-management light usually looks like the outline of an engine.
It is commonly yellow or amber.
A modern vehicle may activate this warning when its electronic systems detect an engine or emissions-related problem.
In some circumstances, the vehicle can also enter a protective or limp mode, reducing engine power to help prevent further damage. DGT describes this type of emergency mode as a system that can restrict vehicle performance when certain faults are detected.
If the engine warning appears and you notice:
- Reduced power
- Rough running
- Unusual smoke
- Strange noises
- Strong vibration
- Difficulty accelerating
find a safe place to stop and contact Blanca Cars.
Do not continue trying to force the vehicle to drive normally.
5. Tyre-Pressure Warning Light
The tyre-pressure monitoring warning normally looks like an exclamation mark inside a tyre-shaped symbol.
It may indicate that one or more tyres have lost pressure.
This could be caused by something relatively simple, but it could also indicate a slow puncture or rapidly deflating tyre.
If the warning appears:
Reduce your speed.
Find a safe place to stop.
Inspect the tyres visually without putting yourself in danger.
If a tyre looks flat or damaged, do not continue driving on it.
Contact Blanca Cars.
For more detailed advice, read:
What to Do If You Get a Flat Tyre in a Rental Car in Spain
6. Brake Warning Light
A red brake warning should always be taken seriously.
It can appear for several reasons, and the exact meaning varies by vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released and the red brake warning remains illuminated, find a safe place to stop and contact Blanca Cars.
If the brakes feel unusual, the brake pedal becomes soft, stopping distances increase or you notice another braking problem:
Do not continue driving.
7. ABS Warning Light
ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System.
If the ABS warning stays illuminated, the vehicle may have detected a problem with the anti-lock braking system.
The normal brakes may still appear to function, but an important safety system may no longer be operating correctly.
Do not try to test the brakes yourself by braking aggressively.
Stop somewhere safe and contact Blanca Cars for instructions.
8. Stability-Control or Traction-Control Warning
Modern vehicles have electronic systems designed to help maintain stability and traction.
A stability-control symbol can sometimes flash briefly when the system is actively helping the vehicle.
However, if a warning remains illuminated continuously or is accompanied by another error message, there may be a fault.
Drive cautiously, find somewhere safe to stop and contact Blanca Cars.
9. AdBlue Warning
Many modern diesel vehicles use AdBlue as part of their emissions-control system.
An AdBlue warning may initially indicate that the fluid level is becoming low.
Some vehicles provide a countdown showing how far the vehicle can travel before attention is required.
Do not add random fluids or products yourself.
If an AdBlue warning appears in a Blanca Cars rental vehicle, contact us and follow the instructions provided.
10. Diesel Particulate Filter Warning
Diesel vehicles can also display a warning relating to the diesel particulate filter, normally referred to as the DPF.
DGT notes that a blocked diesel particulate filter can contribute to reduced engine performance and, in some situations, unusual exhaust smoke.
Do not try to solve the problem by deliberately driving aggressively or at excessive engine speeds.
Contact Blanca Cars and describe the warning you are seeing.
Take a Photo of the Dashboard
One of the most useful things you can do after safely stopping is take a clear photograph of the dashboard.
Make sure the photograph shows:
- The warning symbol
- Any accompanying text
- The vehicle mileage if visible
- Any other warning lights
This can help Blanca Cars understand exactly what the vehicle is displaying.
Different manufacturers use slightly different symbols and messages, so a photograph can be much more useful than saying:
“A yellow light came on.”
What If Several Warning Lights Appear at Once?
Several lights appearing simultaneously can indicate a wider electrical or system problem.
Do not assume that multiple warning lights are simply an electronic glitch.
If several warnings suddenly illuminate while you are driving, especially if the vehicle also:
- Loses power
- Becomes difficult to steer
- Starts running roughly
- Shows dimming lights
- Displays multiple error messages
find a safe location and contact Blanca Cars.
What If the Warning Appears on a Motorway?
If a serious warning appears while travelling on the A-7, AP-7 or another Spanish motorway, avoid sudden braking.
Turn on your hazard warning lights if the vehicle is losing power or you need to stop.
Move away from live traffic wherever possible.
If the vehicle becomes immobilised on the road, use the connected V-16 emergency beacon and place it preferably on the roof of the vehicle. Since 1 January 2026, the connected V-16 is the legal warning device for immobilised Spanish vehicles.
If you can safely leave the vehicle and reach a protected location, exit on the side away from traffic and wait somewhere safe. DGT advises waiting behind a protective barrier or outside the carriageway when this can be done safely.
Then contact Blanca Cars.
For more information, read:
Rental Car Breakdown on a Motorway in Spain: Step-by-Step Guide
Don’t Arrange Your Own Repair
This is important when driving a rental vehicle.
Do not take the car to an independent garage, arrange a tow truck or authorise repairs yourself unless Blanca Cars has given permission.
Blanca Cars’ rental conditions require customers to notify the company when a warning light or alarm indicates an abnormality and state that unauthorised repairs or assistance will not be paid.
Contact us first.
We will advise you on the correct next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Stop for Every Warning Light?
If a warning light indicates an abnormality in a Blanca Cars vehicle, find a safe place to stop and contact us.
Do not simply continue driving and hope the warning disappears.
Is a Red Warning Light Serious?
Red warnings generally indicate a more urgent issue than yellow or amber warnings.
Stop safely and contact Blanca Cars.
Can I Continue Driving With a Yellow Engine Light?
Do not make that decision based only on the colour.
If the engine-management light appears, particularly if the vehicle loses power or runs differently, stop safely and contact Blanca Cars.
What If the Warning Light Disappears?
Even if the warning disappears, tell Blanca Cars if it indicated an operating problem.
An intermittent fault may still need attention.
Should I Reset the Warning Light Myself?
No.
Do not disconnect the battery, reset the dashboard or use diagnostic equipment on a rental vehicle.
Contact Blanca Cars.
Can I Add Oil or Coolant Myself?
Do not add fluids unless Blanca Cars specifically instructs you to do so.
A warning light may have several possible causes, and adding the wrong fluid or incorrect amount can make the situation worse.
Remember: Warning Light = Stop, Check and Call
If a dashboard warning light appears in your Blanca Cars rental vehicle in Spain, remember:
DON’T PANIC.
DON’T IGNORE IT.
FIND A SAFE PLACE TO STOP.
TAKE A PHOTO OF THE WARNING.
CONTACT BLANCA CARS.
DON’T AUTHORISE YOUR OWN REPAIRS.
A warning light is the vehicle’s way of telling you that something needs attention.
It may turn out to be something simple, but continuing to drive without checking can potentially make a problem worse.
Blanca Cars customers should stop safely and contact us whenever a warning light or alarm indicates that the vehicle may not be operating normally, as required by the rental terms.
For additional information about dashboard warning lights, Spain’s Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) provides guidance explaining the warning systems found in modern vehicles.