Peugeot 208 I Indicators: Red Warnings (2012-2015)

On your Peugeot 208, a red warning lamp that comes on while the engine is running or while you are driving points to a fault that needs action from you. Some lamps come on with an audible signal and a message in the instrument panel or multifunction screen. Several lamps also light up for a few seconds when you switch on the ignition. They should go off once the engine starts. If one stays on, check what it means before you move off.

This guide covers the first-generation Peugeot 208 (2012-2015) and is based on handbook edition ed01-14, which applies to vehicles produced from 01/05/2014. Some lamps depend on the version or equipment of your car, so you may not see every one listed here.

Quick Reference

Parking brake

This is the red parking brake lamp in the instrument panel. When it stays on, the parking brake is applied or has not been fully released.

What to do:

• Keep your foot on the brake pedal and release the parking brake. The lamp will then go off.
• Follow the safety recommendations.
• For more details, see the parking brake section of the handbook.

STOP

This is the red STOP lamp in the instrument panel. It stays on together with another warning lamp and is linked to the engine oil pressure or the engine coolant temperature.

What to do:

• Stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Park and switch off the ignition.
• Call a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Braking

This is the red braking lamp in the instrument panel. When it stays on, the brake fluid level has dropped significantly.

What to do:

• Stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Top up the brake fluid with a fluid listed by PEUGEOT.
• If the problem continues, have the system checked by a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Maximum coolant temperature

This is the red coolant temperature lamp in the instrument panel. It stays on with the temperature needle in the red zone, which means the cooling system is too hot.

What to do:

• Stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Wait for the engine to cool down, then top up the coolant if needed.
• If the problem continues, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Engine autodiagnosis system

This is the red engine autodiagnosis lamp in the instrument panel. It stays on together with the STOP lamp when a major engine fault has been detected.

What to do:

• Stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Park and switch off the ignition.
• Contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Low fuel level

Your car shows one of two versions of the red low fuel lamp in the instrument panel. It comes on with the fuel gauge needle in the red zone, either steadily or flashing, depending on how much fuel is left. The fuel tank holds approximately 50 litres.

What to do:

If the lamp stays on, about 5 litres of fuel are left and you have started using the reserve:

• Refuel as soon as possible so you do not run out.
• The lamp will come on each time you switch on the ignition until you add enough fuel.
• Never keep driving until the tank runs dry, as this could damage the emission control and injection systems.

If the lamp is flashing, there is very little fuel left in the tank:

• Never keep driving until the tank runs dry, as this could damage the emission control and injection systems.

Engine oil pressure

This is the red engine oil pressure lamp in the instrument panel. When it stays on, there is a fault with the engine lubrication system.

What to do:

• Stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Park and switch off the ignition.
• Contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Battery charge

This is the red battery charge lamp in the instrument panel. When it stays on, there is a fault in the battery charging circuit, for example dirty or loose terminals or a slack or cut alternator belt.

What to do:

• The lamp should go off once the engine starts.
• If it stays on, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Door(s) open

This is the red door open lamp in the instrument panel. It stays on with a message showing which door is open, and how it warns you depends on your speed.

What to do:

Below 6 mph (10 km/h), the lamp and message tell you that a door or the boot is still open:

• Close the door or boot.

Above 6 mph (10 km/h), the lamp and message also come with an audible signal:

• Stop somewhere safe and close the door or boot.

Seat belt(s) not fastened / unfastened

This is the red seat belt lamp in the instrument panel. It lights up steadily, then starts flashing with an audible signal that gets louder, because a seat belt has not been fastened or has been unfastened.

What to do:

• Pull the seat belt strap across and push the tongue into the buckle.

If You're Not Sure

If a red lamp comes on and you are not sure what it means, read the message shown in the screen, as it gives more detail about the fault. If you have any problems, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Red lamps always need your attention, so check what they mean as soon as one comes on. If one of them tells you to stop, stay calm and pull over somewhere safe before you do anything else.

Related guides: Peugeot 208 I (2012-2015) orange warning lights, Peugeot 208 I (2012-2015) green and blue lights, Peugeot 208 Indicators: Red Warnings (general guide) and all Peugeot 208 guides.