Transmission Temperature
See a Mechanic Soon — Urgency 4/5Stop driving as soon as you safely can. Let the car cool down and then head straight to a mechanic. Do not tow anything or drive aggressively. If the light does not go off after cooling, get a tow instead. This is general information — a professional mechanic can advise on your specific vehicle.
This is general guidance. Your situation may differ — when in doubt, don’t drive.
What does this mean?
This light means your transmission (the part that changes gears) is overheating. This often happens when towing something heavy, driving in stop-and-go traffic on a hot day, or if there is a problem with the transmission fluid. An overheating transmission can fail completely if ignored.
What should I do right now?
Pull over to a safe spot and let the car idle for a few minutes with the engine running so the transmission can cool down. If the light goes off, you can carefully drive to a mechanic — avoid hills and heavy acceleration. If the light stays on, turn off the engine and arrange a tow.