Chevrolet Captiva / Holden Captiva Dash Warning Lights

Detailed on this page are the Chevrolet Captiva / Holden Captiva dashboard warning lights meanings. The Captiva goes under the manufacturer name of Chevrolet or Holden depending on country. The dashboard display layout and warning lights location may vary.

Airbag Warning Light
The airbag warning light on your Captiva illuminates in red for a few seconds as the ignition is switched on. It should go out shortly after. If the airbag light stays on or does not come on at all, it indicates a fault in the seat belt tensioner or in the airbag system.
The systems may fail to trigger in the event of an accident. Issues can often be related to an object getting lodged into a belt buckle or an airbag seat sensor.

Battery Warning Light
The Chevrolet Captiva / Holden Captiva battery warning light should go out shortly after starting the engine. If it stays on or comes on when driving, it means there’s a electrical charging fault. Due to the battery not being charged, when it’s depleted of energy, then engine may shut down. To maintain battery charge, immediately switch off all electrical devices that are not essential and make your way to a vehicle repair workshop. Be cautious as this may affect engine cooling. Typical faults include:

• Alternator
• Alternator belt
• Battery
• Wiring / connections

Engine Warning Light
The Chevrolet Captiva / Holden Captiva engine warning light, also known as engine malfunction lamp (MIL) comes on if a fault exists
in the emission related components or related sub systems. The check engine light will remain on as long as the Engine Control Module (ECM) detects the fault. If the check engine light flashes, it often indicates an engine misfire which may cause damage to the catalytic converter. The engine warning light also illuminates when a fault has been detected with the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). The engine warning light illuminates due to many potential faults. Due to this being a generic symbol, the only way to identify the fault is to use diagnostic equipment that reads fault codes stored by the ECM.

Service Warning Light
The Chevrolet Captiva / Holden Captiva spanner / wrench warning light comes on indicating that your vehicle requires a service / oil change.

 

Brake Warning Light
The Chevy Captiva / Holden Captiva brake warning light remains on when the parking brake is applied. If the parking brake is released and symbol remains lit, it may indicate that brake fluid levels are too low. Check fluid levels. The brake/clutch fluid level must be
between the MIN and the MAX marks. Use only DOT 4 brake fluid recommended by Chevrolet or Holden. If the brake fluid level is sufficient and the symbol remains lit, it indicates a brake fault. In this instance, do not continue driving.

ABS Warning Light
The Captiva Anti-lock brake system (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking. ABS starts to regulate brake pressure as soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock. The vehicle remains steerable, even during hard braking. ABS is a separate system from normal vehicle brakes. If ABS fails, normal brakes remain operational but without the ABS. Often, the cause of a faulty ABS is a wheels speed sensor.

Electronic Parking Brake Warning Light
The Captiva electronic parking brake (EPB) warning light comes on when the parking brake is applied. If the light continues flashing after the parking brake is released or while driving, there is a problem with the Electric Parking Brake system. If the light does not come on, or remains flashing, contact a Chevrolet or Holden workshop. If your Captiva has an Electronic Parking Brake, the electrical fault and spanner / wrench light may also display. This means that the EPB is working at a reduced level due to insufficient electrical power, but the vehicle can still be driven. To release the EPB when this light is on, push down on the EPB switch and hold it in the down position. Continue to hold the switch down until the parking brake warning light goes off.

Shift Up Warning Light
This green ‘shift up’ warning light comes on indicating an ideal time to shift up a gear. This is designed to help reduce fuel usage.

 

All-Wheel-Drive Warning Light
The Chevy Captiva / Holden Captiva all-wheel-drive is a stability system. If the front drive wheels begin to slip, the rear wheels will automatically begin to drive the vehicle as required. If the all-wheel-drive light briefly flashes, this is normal. If the light continues to flash or remains on, it means there’s a fault with the all-wheel-drive system.

Descent Control System Warning Light
The Chevy Captiva / Holden Captiva Descent Control System (DCS) is a driver assist system that allows a controlled hill descent in  without any brake input from the driver. The indicator light comes on in green to indicate the system is ready and amber to indicate a warning or that the system is not ready. Flashing amber means the front brakes are too hot for the system to operate. If the light remains on, it means the brakes are severely overheated. Wait for the brakes to cool before continuing.

Speed Sensitive Power Steering Warning Light
The steering wheel and exclamation mark is the Captiva power steering warning light. If it remains on, it means there’s a fault or the motor has overheated. Continually steering from lock-to-lock or keeping the steering on full lock while the engine is running can cause the motor to overheat. The warning will extinguish once the motor has cooled. If the light remains on, it means there’s a fault. Extra effort will be required to turn the wheel.

Parking Sensors Warning Light
The parking sensors warning light comes on due to the parking sensors being blocked or faulty. In this instance the Chevrolet / Holden park assist function will not operate. Check:

• The area on the bumpers where the sensors are located is not dirty
• Are covered by ice or snow
• Obscured by a sticker
• In an area that is interfering with ultrasonic waves

Reduced Engine Power Warning Light
The Chevy Captiva / Holden Captiva reduced engine power warning light may come on along with the service vehicle soon light when the vehicle needs a service. Pull off the road, stop the engine and restart after 10 seconds. The reduced engine power is a safety system that helps to prevent damage to the vehicle. You can continue driving, but will experience reduced power. Have vehicle checked by a Chevy / Holden workshop as soon as possible.

Stability Control Warning Light
The electronic stability control (ESC) system has various driver assist features that help to stabilize the vehicle. If the ESC light flashes, it means the system is currently active and working. If it stays on, it means there’s a fault. ESC is dependent on ABS sensors and this can often be the cause of a malfunction. It’s often always beneficial to leave the system switched on. Only switch it off if your vehicle is stuck in ice, snow or mud.

Tire Pressure Warning Light
The Chevy Captiva / Holden Captiva tire pressure warning light comes on in yellow if one or more tires has become under-inflated. If the warning light flashes, it means there’s a fault with the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The light also flashes if a tire does not contain a pressure sensor.

DPF Warning Light
The DPF (Diesel Particualte Filter) captures harmful soot in the exhaust system before it’s released into the environment. The Chevy Captiva / Holden Captiva DPF light comes on when the system needs cleaning. Frequent short trips are not ideal for diesel engines and can cause the filter to block. DPF cleaning is usually an automatic process, but if the light illuminates, drive the vehicle for around 15 minutes on a highway that avoids stopping. If the light still remains on, contact a Chevrolet or Holden workshop to avoid damage occurring.

Oil Pressure Warning Light
The low oil pressure light comes on in red indicating a possible disruption in engine oil lubrication. This requires immediate attention to avoid potentially significant engine damage. The low oil light can be triggered by low oil levels. Stop as soon as possible and switch off the engine. Check oil levels and in low, top up. If the oil level is sufficient or the light still remains on after adding oil, do not continue driving and contact your local Chevy or Holden workshop. The low oil level warning light comes on when the level is too low and requires topping up. The change oil indicator light or comes on indicating that the engine oil life is expired and requires changing.

Water in Fuel Warning Light
The water in fuel warning light illuminates in diesel versions of the Captiva only and comes on when water in the fuel filter is at maximum level and requires draining immediately. Continued driving over a period of time may result in damage to the fuel system.

 

Immobilizer Warning Light
The Chevy Captiva / Holden Captiva immobilizer warning light comes on due to a fault with the immobilizer system. Try using an alternative key or replacing the battery. Often removing the key from the ignition and leaving it for 5 minutes or so works. Possible faults include faulty key that requires programming or the induction coil that is mounted around the ignition lock.

Security Warning Light
The Chevy Captiva / Holden Captiva security warning light comes on due to your vehicle having additional anti-theft systems. This anti-theft OFF indicator light comes on to indicate that you have disabled the intrusion and inclination sensor by pressing the button located on the headlining. If you press the button again, the indicator will go out.

ECO Warning Light
The ECO warning light or depending on your model of Captiva, the AUTO STOP warning light comes on when the engine has automatically gone into standby due to the start stop system.