Peugeot 308 I SW Indicators: Orange Warnings (2008-present)

Orange lamps on your dashboard either warn you about a fault that needs your attention or tell you that a system is working or has been switched off. When a warning lamp comes on, a message usually appears on the screen as well, helping you work out what is wrong. Some lamps also sound an audible signal. If one comes on at the same time as the STOP warning lamp, stop as soon as it is safe to do so.

This guide covers the first-generation Peugeot 308 SW, based on the handbook for cars produced from 1 July 2012. Some lamps only appear on certain versions or with certain equipment, and the type of message you see depends on your instrument panel.

Quick Reference

Braking

This is the braking warning lamp. When it stays on together with the STOP and ABS warning lamps, the electronic brake force distribution (EBFD) system has a fault.

What to do:

• Stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Have the system checked by a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Maximum coolant temperature

This is the coolant temperature warning lamp. When it stays on with the temperature needle in the red zone, the cooling system is running too hot.

What to do:

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

Service

This is the service warning lamp. It covers faults that do not have their own warning lamp, and it always comes with a message on the screen. If it comes on briefly, the fault is minor. If it stays on and you hear an audible signal, the fault is major.

What to do:

If the lamp comes on briefly with a message:

• Read the message to find the fault, for example a door, the boot or the bonnet open, low engine oil level, low screenwash or headlamp wash level, a flat remote control battery or low tyre pressures.
• On Diesel cars, the message may point to a saturated particle emissions filter. See the checks section of the handbook.
• For any other fault, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

If the lamp stays on with a message and an audible signal:

• Read the message to find the fault.
• Contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Engine autodiagnosis system

This is the engine autodiagnosis warning lamp. If it flashes, the engine management system has a fault. If it stays on, the emission control system has a fault.

What to do:

If the lamp is flashing:

• Be aware that the catalytic converter could be destroyed.
• Have the car checked by a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

If the lamp stays on:

• The lamp should go off once the engine has started.
• If it does not go off, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop without delay.

Low fuel level

This is the low fuel warning lamp. It stays on with the fuel needle in the red zone, along with an audible signal and a message. When it first comes on, about 6 litres of fuel are left and you are now using the reserve. The tank holds about 60 litres in total.

What to do:

• Refuel as soon as possible so you do not run out.
• Until you add enough fuel, the lamp, signal and message return every time you switch on the ignition, and more often as the level drops towards zero.
• Never drive until the tank is empty, as this could damage the emission control and injection systems.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

This is the ABS warning lamp. When it stays on, the anti-lock braking system has a fault, but your car still has conventional braking.

What to do:

• Drive carefully at a reduced speed.
• Contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop without delay.

Dynamic stability control (ESP/ASR)

This is the ESP/ASR lamp. If it flashes, the system is working to improve traction and keep the car stable. If it stays on and you have not switched the system off with its button, the ESP/ASR system has a fault.

What to do:

If the lamp is flashing:

• No action is needed. The system is helping your car grip and stay on line.

If the lamp stays on:

• Have the system checked by a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Foot on the brake pedal

This is the foot on the brake pedal lamp. On cars with an electronic gear control gearbox, it stays on if you try to start the engine without pressing the brake pedal.

What to do:

• Put the gear lever in position N.
• Press the brake pedal, then start the engine.

Door(s) open

This is the door open warning lamp. It stays on below 6 mph (10 km/h) when a door or the boot is still open.

What to do:

• Close the open door or boot.

Water in Diesel

This is the water in Diesel warning lamp. When it stays on, there is water in the Diesel fuel filter, which could damage the injection system.

What to do:

• Contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop without delay.

Airbags

This is the airbag warning lamp. When it stays on, one of the airbag or seat belt pretensioner systems has a fault.

What to do:

• Have the system checked by a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Passenger's front airbag

This is the passenger's front airbag warning lamp. When it flashes on the instrument panel and/or on the seat belt and passenger's front airbag display, the passenger's front airbag has a fault and may not deploy in a serious impact.

What to do:

• Have the airbag checked by a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Rear foglamps

This is the rear foglamp indicator lamp. When it stays on, your rear foglamps are switched on.

What to do:

• To switch the rear foglamps off, turn the ring on the lighting stalk rearwards.

Diesel engine pre-heating

This is the Diesel pre-heating lamp. It stays on when the ignition is switched on, with the switch in the second position. How long it stays on depends on the weather conditions.

What to do:

• Wait until the lamp goes out before starting the engine.

Passenger's front airbag

This is the passenger's front airbag ON lamp. It stays on in the seat belt and passenger's front airbag display when the control switch on the passenger's side of the dashboard is set to ON, meaning the airbag is activated. Do not fit a rear-facing child seat in this case.

What to do:

• Keep the airbag activated whenever there is no rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat.
• Before fitting a rear-facing child seat there, turn the control switch to OFF.

Stop & Start

This is the Stop & Start lamp. It stays on when the car has stopped, for example at red lights or in a traffic jam, and the system has put the engine into STOP mode.

What to do:

• Nothing is needed. As soon as you want to move off, the lamp goes out and the engine restarts automatically in START mode.

Passenger's front airbag

This is the passenger's front airbag OFF lamp. It stays on in the instrument panel and/or the seat belt and front passenger's airbag display when the control switch on the passenger's end of the dashboard is set to OFF. The airbag is deactivated, so you can fit a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat.

What to do:

• To activate the airbag again, set the switch to ON.
• With the airbag on, you cannot fit a rear-facing child seat on that seat.

ESP/ASR

This is the indicator lamp on the ESP/ASR button in the middle of the dashboard. When it is on, the button has been pressed and both ESP (dynamic stability control) and ASR (wheel anti-slip regulation) are switched off.

What to do:

• Press the button again to switch the systems back on. The indicator lamp goes out.
• From about 30 mph (50 km/h) the systems switch back on automatically, except on the 1.6 litre THP 200 hp petrol engine.
• The systems are also switched on automatically each time you start the car.

Dynamic stability control (DSC/ASR)

This is the DSC/ASR lamp. If it flashes, the system is working to improve traction and stability when the car loses grip or starts to leave its line. If it stays on, the DSC/ASR system has a fault.

What to do:

If the lamp is flashing:

• No action is needed. The system is helping the car keep grip and stay on line.

If the lamp stays on:

• Have the system checked by a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Passenger's front airbag

This is another version of the passenger's front airbag OFF lamp. It stays on in the instrument panel and/or the seat belt and front passenger's airbag display when the control switch on the passenger's end of the dashboard is set to OFF. With the airbag deactivated, you can fit a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat.

What to do:

• To activate the airbag again, set the switch to ON.
• Once it is on, do not fit a rear-facing child seat on that seat.

If You're Not Sure

If you are not sure what a lamp means, read the message on the screen, as it is there to help you identify the fault. If the lamp comes on with the STOP warning lamp, stop as soon as it is safe to do so. For any problem you cannot sort out yourself, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Some orange lamps simply tell you that a system is working, while others warn you about a fault. Knowing which is which helps you react calmly and keep your Peugeot 308 SW running as it should.

Related guides: Peugeot 308 I SW (2008-present) red warning lights, Peugeot 308 I SW (2008-present) green and blue lights, Peugeot 308 Indicators: Orange Warnings (general guide) and all Peugeot 308 guides.