In the app
Dashboard warning light decoder
Photograph your dashboard. The PulsCar app identifies each lit warning symbol, explains what it means, and tells you whether it is safe to keep driving.
Example · dashboard photo
Oil pressure
Stop safely as soon as you can
Check engine
Get it checked soon
How it decides
- An AI model recognises the lit symbols and explains them in plain language.
- The "keep driving or stop" verdict is not decided by the model. It comes from fixed rules in the app, so the answer does not depend on how the model phrases things.
- If a scanner is connected, its readings can only make the verdict stricter, never more relaxed.
How it works
- Take the photo. Switch the ignition on so the lights show and photograph the dashboard in the app.
- Wait a few seconds. The app finds each lit symbol in the photo.
- Read the verdict. For each light: what it means, how serious it is, and what to do next.
Good to know
- It is a guide, not a diagnosis. For anything red or flashing, stop safely and get the car checked.
- A sharp, well lit photo gives the best result. If the photo is unreadable, retake it.
- The decoder is part of the PulsCar app. See the scanner and app page for membership details.
Safety first. A red warning light means stop safely as soon as you can. Do not keep driving to take a photo.
Questions
Which lights can it read?
The standard dashboard warning symbols. If a symbol is unclear, retake the photo or check your owner’s manual.
Can I trust the keep-driving answer?
The verdict follows fixed safety rules rather than the AI’s opinion, and it leans toward caution. A red or flashing light always deserves a stop.
Do I need a scanner?
No. The photo is enough. A connected scanner only adds information that can tighten the verdict.
Does it replace a mechanic?
No. It tells you how urgent a light is, not what is broken.
Related guides
- Dashboard Warning Lights in 2026: What Each One Means, Which Colour Means Stop, and Can You Keep Driving
- Tire Pressure Light On? Steady vs Flashing, the Cold-Morning Rule, and 53 TPMS Recalls
- ABS Light On? Can You Still Drive, When to Stop, and Fixes From $0 to $1,500 (2026)
- Low Oil Pressure Warning in 2026: $0 to $10,000, and the One Light You Do Not Drive On
- Brake Light On Dash (2026): Four Different Lights, and When the Red One Means Stop
- Flashing Check Engine Light + Shaking in 2026: The Light Is a Countdown, Not a Reminder
Get the app
More services: see all PulsCar services.