Peugeot 308 II Indicators: Red Warnings (2014-2015)

Red warning lamps on your Peugeot 308 point to a fault or a situation that needs action from you. Some come with an audible signal and a message on the instrument panel screen, and the message helps you work out what's wrong. Certain lamps come on for a few seconds when you switch on the ignition and should go off once the engine starts. If one stays on, check what it means before you move off.

This guide covers the second-generation Peugeot 308 (308 II) built from 1 November 2014, based on handbook edition ed01-15. Some lamps depend on your car's version or equipment, so you may not see all of them on your car.

Quick Reference

Parking brake

This lamp shows the parking brake symbol. When it stays on, the parking brake is applied or hasn't been fully released.

What to do:

• Keep your foot on the brake pedal and release the parking brake.
• If your car has an electric parking brake, keep your foot on the brake pedal and push the brake control lever.
• Follow the safety advice in the parking brake section of your handbook.

STOP

This lamp shows the word STOP. It stays on together with another warning lamp, an audible signal and a message. It means a serious fault has been detected with the brakes, the power steering, the electrical system, engine lubrication or cooling, or that you have a puncture.

What to do:

• Stop as soon as it's safe to do so, because the engine may cut out.
• Park and switch off the ignition.
• Call a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Electric parking brake

This lamp shows the electric parking brake symbol. When it flashes, the electric parking brake hasn't applied automatically, or applying or releasing it isn't working properly.

What to do:

• Stop as soon as it's safe to do so and park on flat, level ground.
• Engage a gear, or move the lever to P if you have an automatic gearbox, then switch off the ignition.
• Contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Braking

This lamp shows the braking warning symbol. When it stays on, the brake fluid level has dropped significantly.

What to do:

• Stop as soon as it's 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.

Low fuel level

This lamp shows a fuel pump symbol. It stays on with the fuel gauge needle in the red zone, and when it first comes on there are less than 10 litres of fuel left in the tank. It will come on every time you switch on the ignition until you add enough fuel. The tank holds approximately 53 or 45 litres, depending on version.

What to do:

• Refuel as soon as possible so you don't run out.
• Never keep driving until the tank is empty, as this could damage the emission control and injection systems.

Seat belt(s) not fastened / unfastened

This lamp shows a seated person wearing a seat belt. It stays on or flashes with an audible signal when a seat belt hasn't been fastened or has been unfastened.

What to do:

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

Airbags

This lamp shows a seated person with an airbag in front. It comes on briefly as a check when you switch on the ignition. If it stays on, one of the airbag or seat belt pretensioner systems has a fault.

What to do:

If the lamp comes on briefly when you switch on the ignition:

• It should go off once the engine starts.
• If it doesn't go off, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

If the lamp stays on:

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

Battery charge*

This lamp shows a battery symbol. When it stays on, there's 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 doesn't go off, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Engine oil pressure

This lamp shows an oil can symbol. When it stays on, there's a fault with the engine lubrication system.

What to do:

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

If You're Not Sure

If a red lamp comes on and you're not sure what it means, stay calm, stop somewhere safe and read the message on the instrument panel screen. If you're still unsure, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop before you carry on.

Red lamps are your Peugeot 308's way of telling you something needs your attention now. Learn what each one means, act on the message that comes with it, and you'll know what to do when one lights up.

Related guides: Peugeot 308 II (2014-2015) orange warning lights, Peugeot 308 II (2014-2015) green and blue lights, Peugeot 308 Indicators: Red Warnings (general guide) and all Peugeot 308 guides.