Battery/Charging Warning
See a Mechanic Soon — Urgency 4/5Drive directly to the nearest mechanic or safe stopping point. Do not take detours or plan to "do it tomorrow" — your car could stall without warning once the battery drains. Turn off non-essential electricals to buy yourself time. This is general guidance — consult a professional for your specific situation.
This is general guidance. Your situation may differ — when in doubt, don’t drive.
What does this mean?
This light usually looks like a little battery. It means your car's charging system is not working properly. Your car runs on electricity from the battery, and the alternator recharges it while you drive. When this light comes on, the battery is not being recharged — so eventually your car will lose power and stop.
What should I do right now?
Head to a mechanic or auto electrician as soon as possible. Turn off anything that uses electricity but is not essential — heated seats, air conditioning, radio, phone charger. Keep your headlights on if it is dark, of course. Your car may run for 30 minutes to an hour on battery alone, so do not dawdle.