Peugeot 308 Indicators: Orange Warnings

Orange (amber) warning lamps on a Peugeot 308 rarely mean you have to stop immediately, but they shouldn't be ignored. Most tell you that a system has developed a fault, has switched itself off or needs some attention from you. This guide explains each amber lamp on the third-generation 308 hatchback and SW (2021 on) and, crucially, how urgent it is. We've based it on the official Peugeot 308 owner's handbook.

The 308 is offered with petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric power, so some lamps below only apply to certain versions. We've labelled them.

The warnings are grouped by urgency, starting with the ones that need a workshop soonest.

Quick Reference

Service Warning

The Service lamp (a spanner or exclamation mark, depending on the model) is a catch-all for faults that don't have their own dedicated lamp. The message that comes with it is the key.

Electric Parking Brake Malfunction

Shown with the message "Parking brake fault", this means part of the electric parking brake isn't working properly.

• If the switch isn't responding: the automatic apply/release functions take over and are reactivated automatically, so use them and have the switch repaired
• If the brake itself is faulty: to hold the car when stationary, pull and hold the switch for about 7-15 seconds until the lamp lights. If that doesn't work, park on level ground, engage a gear (manual) or select P (automatic) and chock a wheel

Either way, contact a Peugeot dealer or workshop.

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

If the ABS lamp stays on, the anti-lock system has a fault. You still have normal brakes, but the wheels can lock under hard braking, especially in the wet.

What to do:

• Drive carefully at moderate speeds and leave extra distance
• Have it checked soon
• If the red brake lamp comes on as well, stop: that combination can mean an EBFD fault

Power Steering

A steady amber power steering lamp means a minor fault has been detected. The steering may feel heavier than usual.

What to do: drive carefully at moderate speed and have it checked by a dealer or workshop.

Engine Self-Diagnostic System

The orange engine symbol is what most people call the "check engine light". How it behaves tells you how urgent it is:

A steady light is not an emergency, but it is something you shouldn't ignore. Some faults affect fuel economy, and in the UK a car with an illuminated engine light fails its MOT.

Emergency Brake Malfunction (With Electric Parking Brake)

With the message "Parking brake fault", this warning means the electric parking brake's emergency braking function (used if you hold the switch while moving) won't work at full performance.

What to do:

• If automatic release isn't available, release the brake manually using the switch
• Have the system checked by a dealer or workshop

Hill Start Assist

Shown with the message "Anti roll-back system fault", this means hill start assist isn't working. The car may roll back briefly when you move off on a slope.

What to do:

• Use the handbrake or parking brake for hill starts until it's fixed
• Have it checked by a dealer or workshop

Post Collision Safety Brake

Post Collision Safety Brake automatically applies the brakes after an impact to reduce the risk of a secondary collision. When this lamp comes on with the Service lamp, a message and a chime, the system has a fault. Have it checked quickly.

Airbags

A steady airbag lamp means one of the airbags or seat belt pretensioners has a fault. In a crash, it might not deploy.

What to do:

• Have the car checked by a dealer or workshop as soon as possible
• Until then, avoid fitting a child seat in the front passenger seat

In the UK, an illuminated airbag warning lamp is also an MOT failure.

SCR Emissions Control System (BlueHDi)

The SCR (selective catalytic reduction) system uses AdBlue to cut NOx emissions from BlueHDi diesels. The handbook describes three stages:

• Lamp on with a chime and message at start-up: a malfunction has been detected. The alert clears once emissions return to normal
• AdBlue lamp flashing, engine lamp steady, with range shown: a fault is confirmed. You can drive up to about 685 miles (1,100 km), depending on the message, before the car blocks restarting. Book it in now
• Same lamps, "starting prevented" message: the driving limit has been used up and the engine won't restart. Call a dealer or Peugeot Assistance

PEUGEOT Matrix LED Technology 2.0 Fault

On cars with PEUGEOT Matrix LED headlamps, this lamp, with a chime and message, means the adaptive headlamps or their camera have a fault. Control main beam manually and contact a Peugeot dealer or workshop.

Automatic Main Beam Fault

With a chime and message, this means the automatic main beam function or its windscreen camera has a fault. Dip your headlights manually for oncoming traffic and contact a Peugeot dealer or workshop.

Tyre Under-Inflation

A steady tyre symbol means the pressure in one or more tyres is too low, often because of a slow puncture or because of a drop in temperature.

What to do:

• Check all four tyres with a gauge as soon as possible (when the tyres are cold)
• Inflate them to the pressures on the label in the driver's door frame
• Reinitialise the system afterwards through the touch screen or vehicle settings, otherwise the warning will come back

If a tyre keeps losing air, have it checked for a puncture.

Low Fuel Level

When the low-fuel warning first appears, there are only a few litres left in the tank: around 5-6 litres depending on the model (check your handbook for your car's reserve). Until you refuel, the warning comes back every time you switch on the ignition, and more often as the level falls.

What to do:

• Fill up at the next opportunity
• Don't run the tank dry. Peugeot warns this can damage the emissions control and fuel injection systems

AdBlue® (BlueHDi)

BlueHDi diesels need AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid, or DEF, in the US) to meet emissions rules. The warning gets more insistent as the remaining range falls:

You can buy AdBlue at most filling stations and motor factors. Only use fluid meeting ISO 22241.

Automatic Functions Deactivated (Electric Parking Brake)

This lamp means the electric parking brake's automatic functions (applying when you switch off and releasing when you pull away) are deactivated. You'll need to apply and release the brake yourself using the switch.

To reactivate the automatic functions (procedure from the handbook):

1. Start the engine and apply the parking brake with the switch
2. Take your foot fully off the brake pedal
3. Push the switch in the release direction and hold it for 10-15 seconds, then let go
4. Press and hold the brake pedal, pull the switch in the apply direction for 2 seconds, then let go of both

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)/Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR)

Turning DSC off can help you move off in deep snow or mud, but switch it back on as soon as you're moving again.

Parking Sensors

• Flashing: an obstacle has been detected. Manoeuvre carefully
• Steady, with a message and chime: system fault. Have it checked
• "Parking Assistance Sensor blind": the sensors are covered in dirt, snow or ice. Stop when safe, switch off and clean the front and/or rear bumper sensors

Engine Pre-Heating (Diesel)

On diesel models, this coil-shaped lamp lights up when you switch on the ignition in cold weather while the glow plugs warm the engine. It can stay on for up to about 30 seconds in very cold conditions.

What to do:

• Wait for the lamp to go out before starting
• Then keep the clutch (manual) or brake (automatic) pressed and the engine will start straight away
• If it doesn't start, make another start request with your foot still on the pedal

Collision Risk Alert/Active Safety Brake

Lane Keeping Assist

Using your indicators when you change lanes stops the system intervening.

Stop & Start

When the system is off, the engine won't stop at the next standstill. That's normal and not a problem in itself.

Rear Foglamps

Your rear fog lamp is on. In the UK, the Highway Code says to use fog lamps only when visibility is seriously reduced, generally to less than 100 metres (328 feet). Switch them off when visibility improves, because they can dazzle drivers behind you and hide your brake lights.

If You're Not Sure

• Read the message. The text that appears with a lamp on the 308's display usually tells you exactly which system is affected
• Note what else is lit. Several warnings change meaning when they appear together with STOP or Service
• Photograph the dashboard before you switch off. It helps the dealer or your breakdown service diagnose the fault
• When in doubt, stop safely and call for help. It costs far less than a damaged engine or a collision

More Peugeot 308 Guides

See our red warning lights, green and blue indicator lamps and what every 308 warning light means. For the bigger picture, read our Peugeot 308 review.

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