eCarService · Driver Academy
Learn what a warning light or worrying symptom may mean, what you can check safely and when you should stop driving.
Knowledge base
83
guides to help you prepare for a conversation with a workshop.
Understand first
Learn the possible cause of a symptom
Then decide
Know what to ask during your visit
Choose a location
Book a workshop at the location you prefer
Latest guides
Learn about the possible causes first. Choose a location once you are ready to book a visit.
If the yellow tyre pressure warning light comes on, slow down and find a safe place to stop. Don’t assume a puncture straight away, but don’t ignore the warning. Check the wheels, measure pressure with a tyre gauge and inflate the tyres to the values on the vehicle placard or in the owner’s manual.
Start‑stop not working doesn't always mean a fault. The system often protects the battery, but with poor starting or warning messages it's worth having a diagnostic check.
A fuel smell can be temporary after refuelling, but a persistent odour in the cabin, under the bonnet or a wet patch beneath the car requires a prompt check.
If you smell exhaust in the cabin, don't treat it as a minor nuisance. If headaches, dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion or chest pain appear, stop driving, ventilate the car, get out in a safe place and do not continue exposure.
If the yellow ABS, ESP or ASR warning light is on, it usually means reduced operation of the systems that assist braking and stabilising the vehicle's course. You can often drive carefully to a workshop, but keep speed down and increase following distance.
If the air conditioning cools poorly, don’t assume a recharge will fix it. First rule out simple causes: wrong settings, weak airflow, a clogged cabin filter or a non‑working condenser fan. Only measurements of temperature, pressures and refrigerant amount can show whether it’s a loss, a leak or another system fault.
A parking sensor false alarm is often caused by dirt, water or ice, but a recurring signal may require PDC system diagnostics.
A battery that discharges overnight is usually due to one of three reasons: it is worn out, it is not being charged properly, or something draws current after the car is locked. Before buying a new battery, check the entire electrical and charging system, because replacing the battery in a passenger car may only hide the problem temporarily.
Guide for VW Transporter T5/T6/T6.1 owners: how to tell DPF, EGR, turbo and intake leak symptoms apart and when to book diagnostics.
If coolant is disappearing from a VW Transporter T6 without an obvious leak, don't assume the worst, but don't ignore the symptom. Coolant can be lost via hoses, the thermostat housing, the water pump or a leak around the EGR and intake. The most important thing is to check for leaks and operating temperature before the vehicle overheats.
If a VW Transporter or Crafter often regenerates the DPF and the fan runs after switching off the engine, it does not necessarily mean a fault.
The AdBlue message in a Sprinter does not always disappear after topping up. See when you can drive and when SCR system diagnostics are needed.
Need help?
Choose a workshop and describe the symptoms in the booking form.
