GWM Tank 300 Warning Lights: What Every Dashboard Symbol Is Telling You
On the GWM Tank 300, red warning lights mean stop safely as soon as possible, amber or yellow lights mean a fault needs attention soon, and green or white lights are status indicators confirming a system is on or working. The lights that require you to stop are brake system fault, high engine water temperature, low oil pressure, red electric power steering fault and transmission overheat. One detail catches most owners out: for several symbols, flashing and solid mean opposite things.
Flashing does not always mean worse
This is the part no generic symbol chart explains, and it is where real mistakes happen.
- Electronic stability control: flashing means the system is actively working, which is normal. Solid means the system is faulty.
- Hill descent control: solid means activated and ready. Flashing means it is currently braking for you.
- Parking brake: solid means the brake is applied. Flashing means brake disc temperature is too high or the slope is too steep, and the vehicle is at risk of rolling.
- Tyre pressure monitoring: solid means pressure is too low or temperature too high. Flashing for a period and then turning solid means the monitoring system itself has failed.
So a flashing ESC light on a gravel corner is the vehicle doing its job. A solid one on the same corner means you no longer have that safety net.
Red: stop safely as soon as you can
These are not "book it in next week" lights.
- Brake system fault: brake fluid level is too low, or the braking force distribution system has malfunctioned. Stop in a safe spot immediately and contact an authorised service centre.
- High engine water temperature: the cooling system is running excessively hot. Stop immediately for inspection, or the engine can be damaged.
- Low oil pressure: oil is insufficient. Park safely and shut the engine down. Check the level after a few minutes and add oil if needed. If the level is normal and the light stays on, call a service centre.
- Electric power steering fault in red: assisted steering has stopped. Park safely, switch off, and restart within a few minutes. If it stays on, you will need significantly more effort to steer and the vehicle needs inspection.
- Transmission overheat: automatic transmission fluid temperature is too high. Park safely and switch off to let it cool. If the light remains afterwards, contact a service centre.
- Parking brake flashing: disc temperature too high or slope too steep. Press the brake and stop on flat ground as soon as possible.
Amber: fix it soon, keep driving carefully
- Engine system fault: a fault affecting emissions. Worth checking the fuel cap first, because a cap that is not properly installed can trigger this light.
- Engine maintenance warning: a fault not related to emissions.
- Battery charging system warning: if it appears after the engine starts, the charging system has a malfunction.
- ABS fault: braking still works normally, but the anti-lock function is not available. Adjust your braking distances accordingly.
- Electric power steering in yellow: steering assistance is reduced, so more effort is needed. If it stays on after a restart or a short drive, get it inspected.
- Tyre pressure warning: avoid sharp turns and emergency braking, and park somewhere safe for inspection.
- Airbag fault: the airbag system has a malfunction and needs inspection.
- Differential lock in yellow: front or rear locker is faulty.
- Lane assist in yellow: the sensor is blocked. Check both sides of the vehicle for coverings and clear them.
- Low fuel: on slopes or in corners this can illuminate early due to fuel moving in the tank. Running the tank extremely low can damage the emission control and power systems.
Green and white: status, not trouble
These confirm something is switched on or engaged.
- 2H, 4H and 4L indicators: which drivetrain mode is selected
- Differential lock in green: front or rear locker engaged successfully
- Hill descent control: activated and ready
- Auto vehicle hold: yellow for standby, green for actively holding
- Steering assist: white for ready, green for working, red for not working
- Adaptive, intelligent and off-road cruise: white for standby, green for a speed set or working, red for a fault
- ESC off indicator: stability control has been switched off, which happens by default in 4H and 4L
Comparison table: how urgent is it
| Attribute | Red | Amber or yellow | Green or white |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Active fault or hazard | Fault needing attention | System status |
| Measurement (how far to keep driving) | Stop at the first safe spot | Complete the trip, book service | No limit |
| Typical examples | Brake fault, oil pressure, overheat | Engine fault, ABS, TPMS | 4L engaged, HDC ready |
| Safety systems affected | Usually yes | Sometimes | No |
| Can you clear it yourself | Rarely | Sometimes, such as a fuel cap | Not applicable |
A real-world one the manual does not cover
Owners have reported a low battery voltage message appearing when charge drops below roughly 12.5 volts.
Two causes come up repeatedly. The first is leaving the key fob too close to the vehicle when it is parked, which can keep systems awake. The second is aftermarket accessories, particularly dash cams, that are wired incorrectly or do not sit well with the body computer.
If you are fitting hard-wired accessories, the wiring method matters as much as the product. A proper ignition-switched or low-voltage-cutoff connection avoids most of these messages.
Questions owners actually ask
"My ESC light is flashing on a dirt road. Is something broken?" No. Flashing means the stability system is actively intervening. A solid light is the fault condition.
"The ESC off light is on and I did not touch anything." Stability control switches off by default in 4H and 4L. Our all-terrain modes guide covers what else changes with the mode.
"Can I drive with the ABS light on?" The vehicle still brakes, but without anti-lock function. Leave more stopping distance and get it inspected.
"The engine light came on right after I filled up." Check the fuel cap is properly seated. An improperly installed cap can trigger the engine system fault light.
"My tyre pressure light came on after airing down." That is expected. Confirm the pressure and correct it, and see our tyre pressure guide for the cold reading rules.