Alcazar warning lights
The latest addition to the Hyundai South Africa model lineup is the seven-seater Alcazar, which has done wonders for the brand in India. The Alcazar replaced the outgoing Grand Creta locally in March 2025 and is already proving to be a popular family option.
Related: Hyundai Alcazar (2025) First Drive Review - New Name, Better Value
If you see a warning light on the Alcazar dashboard and are unsure what it refers to, we can help with this handy guide, which tells you what the most common warning lights you may come across mean or are indicating.
Why is it important to service my car?
Yellow triangle with an exclamation point
This leading warning light lets you know that an alert error has been logged and will be illuminated until you acknowledge that you have seen it. It logs every alert and stores them in the vehicle's ECU.
Petrol pump
This alert lets you know that you are running low on fuel or the vehicle's fuel delivery system is malfunctioning.
Crossed-out person
This alert lets you know the driver or passengers have not buckled their seatbelts. It may come as a single indicator, or the vehicle may have a layout that shows which seatbelt is unbuckled.
Car between two lines
This indicates that the vehicle's lane-keeping assist is active. This system will lightly tug on the steering wheel to keep you in your lane. If you leave your lane without indicating, it will vibrate, often accompanied by an audible alarm.
Floating key
This floating key indicates a thermometer and alerts you if the vehicle's coolant level is too hot. Some cars will have colour-changing versions indicating if the coolant is below freezing. This often warns you that the car is overheating or the cooling system is malfunctioning.
Wheel-spinning car
This alert will go off if the traction control system is deactivated or actively functioning. It prevents the car from losing traction or allows the driver to break traction actively.
ABS circle
This alert will go off if the anti-lock braking system malfunctions or flashes rapidly, indicating that it actively prevents the brakes from locking up under heavy braking.
Circle with an exclamation point or P
This alert will illuminate if the handbrake is activated or if there is a problem with the brakes. If you release the handbrake, electrical or manual, this alert should disappear. If it does not, there is a problem with the braking system, and you should not drive the car at all.
Battery
This warning light will come on if there is a problem with the car's battery or if there is a problem with the car's charging system.
Engine
This warning light will illuminate if there is a problem with the car's sensor array that controls the engine (ECU). If it stays illuminated, the sensor malfunctions, and the engine will not run properly.
Oil Can
Sadly, it is too late if this warning light comes on and stays on. It means the engine's oil level is below operating levels, and you are running low on oil. You risk severe engine damage if you continue operating without checking and refilling oil.
U-shape with an exclamation point
This warning light points toward the TPMS, or Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. This alert will come if one or more of your car's tyres run below the operating pressure. It could indicate a puncture or an underinflated wheel.
A vehicle with a wrench
This warning light will come on when your vehicle is due for its on-time service, usually at the service intervals listed in the owner's manual. Failure to take the vehicle for service may cause it to drop into limp mode until it is serviced and reset by a technician.
