When you report one of these lights, the app leads with the safe first step before anything else. These are stop-or-drive calls, not a diagnosis; the shop confirms the cause.
- Oil pressure. Pull over as soon as it is safe and shut the engine off; do not drive it any further.
- Engine temperature. Pull over, shut the engine off, and do not open the radiator cap or coolant tank.
- Transmission. Stop driving and have the car towed rather than driving it in.
- Battery / charging. Drive straight to a shop if one is close, and do not shut the engine off until you are there.
- ABS / brake. Red means treat the car as unsafe to drive: stop and have it towed. Amber means normal braking still works and only the anti-lock assist is off; get it looked at now.
- Airbag (SRS). The car drives normally; book it, and assume the airbags may not deploy until it is fixed.
- Check engine. Flashing means stop driving and tow it. Steady means the car is safe to drive; book a scan so the fault can be read.
- Tire pressure (TPMS). Drive to the nearest air pump; stop sooner if the car pulls, vibrates or a tire looks flat.
- Not sure which. Tell Oto the colour and shape and it will identify the light.
Where lights come from, and go
A light can be logged when you add the car, at the quarterly check-in, or by telling Oto (it shows a card you confirm before anything is written). A shop’s inspection can add a light the mechanic saw, and after a visit the app asks whether a light is still on and clears it if not. Oto cannot read a photo of your dashboard, so describe the light in words.
An active light reduces the warning-light part of your health score while it is on; the oil pressure and temperature lights cost the most.