Dashboard warnings don't have to cause panic. Now you know which ones mean "stop immediately" and which can wait.

Huttig Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has served Plattsburgh and the surrounding region for years. We help drivers from both New York and Vermont.

See a warning light? Call us at 518-405-6787 or stop by at 4651 Route 9 in Plattsburgh. We serve Burlington, Champlain, Peru, Ticonderoga, Malone, Tupper Lake, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, St. Albans, Colchester, and Montpelier.

We'll diagnose any dashboard warning quickly and accurately. Plain-language explanations. Honest repair options. No pressure.
 

Stop Immediately: Red Warning Lights That Can't Wait

Red dashboard lights mean serious trouble. These require immediate action to protect your safety and prevent major damage. Pull over as soon as you can do so safely.

Oil Pressure Warning

That dripping oil can icon means your engine has lost oil pressure. Metal parts are grinding together at high speed. Damage happens in minutes.

What to do: Pull over immediately and shut off the engine. Once it cools, check your oil level. Low? Add oil. If the light stays on or you see leaking oil underneath, call us at 518-405-6787 for a tow. Even a short drive without oil pressure destroys engines.

Engine Temperature Warning

This thermometer symbol means your engine is overheating. Towing a boat up from the marina or winter driving with low coolant can cause this.

What to do: Pull over right away. Turn off the AC and idle in neutral to help cooling. Wait 30 minutes before checking coolant. Never remove the radiator cap while hot. Add coolant if low and drive straight to our service center at 4651 Route 9.

Brake System Warning

"BRAKE" or an exclamation point in a circle signals brake system trouble. Low fluid, worn pads, or ABS malfunction.

What to do: Check your parking brake first. Still on? Find a safe place to stop and test your brakes gently. Spongy or unresponsive? Don't drive. Call us for service.

The "ABS" light means anti-lock braking isn't working. Regular brakes still function, but you've lost anti-lock protection on icy roads. Get it checked within 24 hours.

Battery/Charging System Warning

That battery icon doesn't always mean your battery is dying. Usually it signals a charging problem. Your alternator might have failed.

What to do: Turn off everything electrical you don't need (radio, heated seats, phone chargers). You're running on battery power alone now. You have maybe 30 minutes to an hour before the battery dies completely. Drive directly to our service center if you're close. Otherwise, find a safe place to stop and call for help.

Get It Checked This Week: Yellow Warning Lights

Yellow or orange lights mean something needs attention soon. You can usually finish your trip, but don't put off service for long. These warnings prevent bigger problems down the road.

Check Engine Light

This engine-shaped icon covers dozens of issues. A loose gas cap triggers it. So does a failing sensor or catalytic converter.

What to do: Steady light? You can keep driving. Notice performance changes. Schedule service within a few days. Our diagnostic equipment reads the error code and pinpoints the problem.

A flashing check engine light means active misfiring. Pull over immediately. Continuing can damage your catalytic converter (a repair costing thousands).

Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)

Exclamation point inside a flat tire means low pressure. Cold weather triggers this frequently here. A 10-degree temperature drop costs about one PSI.

What to do: Check all tires including your spare. Inflate to the PSI on your driver's door sticker. The light resets after a few miles. Stays on? You might have a slow leak or faulty sensor.

Gas Cap Warning

See a gas cap symbol or gas cap next to a car? Your fuel cap isn't sealing properly. This lets fuel vaporate and triggers emissions warnings.

What to do: Stop at the next gas station and tighten your cap until it clicks several times. The light takes a few drive cycles to reset. If it stays on after tightening, you might need a new cap. We keep them in stock for around $20.

4WD Service Light

For RAM truck owners who use four-wheel drive regularly, this warning matters. "SERV 4WD" or a 4WD symbol means your transfer case or related components need attention.

What to do: Sometimes this appears after switching between 2WD and 4WD modes. Try cycling the system off and back on. If the light stays on, you've lost 4WD capability. That's a problem for winter driving around here. Schedule service soon so you're not stuck in 2WD during the next snowstorm.

Transmission Temperature

This thermometer inside a gear warns that transmission fluid is running too hot. Heavy towing or long climbs cause this. If you're hauling equipment across the Adirondacks or towing a camper, watch for it.

What to do: Pull over and let your Jeep idle in neutral for 10 to 15 minutes. The transmission needs to cool down. If the light doesn't go off, have it towed to our service center. Overheated transmission fluid breaks down fast and can cause expensive internal damage.

Keep Driving: Green and Blue Indicator Lights

Not every dashboard light signals trouble. Green and blue lights just confirm that systems are working.

• High Beams (blue headlight): Your brights are on. Dim them for oncoming traffic.
• Cruise Control (speedometer with arrow): System is engaged and maintaining your speed.
• 4WD Active (green 4WD): Four-wheel drive is working as it should. You'll see this in winter when you engage 4WD for snow and ice.
• Turn Signals (flashing arrows): Your blinker is on. We all forget sometimes.

Special Considerations for Our Region

Lake Champlain Bridge: Red light on the bridge? Keep going to the other side where you can safely pull over. Don't stop on the bridge.

Vermont Customers: Coming from Burlington, St. Albans, or Montpelier? Call ahead at 518-405-6787. We serve Vermont drivers daily.

Winter Warnings: TPMS lights are common when temperatures drop (that's normal). But oil pressure warnings in extreme cold might mean you're using wrong-viscosity oil. Run the right winter-grade oil for our climate.

Commercial Operators: RAM BusinessLink customers hauling loads should never ignore transmission or brake warnings. Loaded truck breakdowns create dangerous situations. We offer priority service for commercial customers.

When to Visit Huttig Jeep Service

Some lights you can handle yourself (tighten a gas cap, add tire air). Many need professional diagnosis.

Visit our service center when:

• Any red warning light stays on
• Check engine light is flashing
• Multiple lights appear simultaneously
• Yellow lights stay on for a week
• You notice performance changes with a warning light

Our Mopar technicians specialize in Jeeps. We have diagnostic computers that read error codes. We'll tell you exactly what's wrong and what it takes to fix it. No guessing. No unnecessary repairs.

Preventing Dashboard Warnings

Regular maintenance keeps warnings off:

• Oil changes every 7,500 miles
• Monthly tire pressure checks
• Brake inspections twice yearly
• Battery testing before winter

Our region is tough on vehicles. Road salt, temperature swings, and lake effect weather create harsh conditions. Staying ahead of maintenance prevents dashboard surprises.

Your Jeep is trying to tell you something. Let us help you listen.

Schedule service today at 518-405-6787.

Huttig Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
4651 Route 9, Plattsburgh, NY 12901-6032
518-405-6787
Location: Plattsburgh, NY
Secondary Geos: Burlington, Champlain, Peru, Ticonderoga, Malone, Tupper Lake, Lake Placid, and Saranac Lake (in NY), and Burlington, St. Albans, Colchester, and Montpelier (in VT)