Bizoo_n/Getty ImagesWhen you start a car, you are initiating the chain reaction to get your car running and driving. Apart from the obvious part of turning the key or pressing the start button, the first component of that chain reaction is your car's battery. It sends power to the starter motor to crank the engine to life. Once the engine starts, however, the battery doesn't sit back and relax; it stays charged by the alternator, so you can start your car again. The battery might not be as exciting as your engine, but it's a vital part of your car's overall health that requires care.Say you're driving along and the battery light rears its ugly head on your dashboard. How severe is this light? Should you pull over now and call a tow truck? Can you limp your way to an auto parts store or mechanic, or can you just ignore it and take a look later? Not necessarily.Right off the bat, you shouldn't ignore it. If your car doesn't drive or function any differently after the light comes on, you likely don't need to call it quits and call your buddy with a trailer. It does, however, require prompt attention before you drive anywhere else.Don't panic, and take stock of what's wrongAthima Tongloom/Getty ImagesYou should start looking for somewhere you can take your car for assistance if you aren't a few minutes away from home. Given the battery's overall role in the ecosystem under your car's hood, a battery light coming on might mean your car won't start easily again if you shut it off. A seriously failing battery could also result in leaving you stranded, or the car could shut down while driving. That could be a huge pain.Once you are somewhere you can safely work on your car and check the battery (or have a shop work on it), you can assess what the battery light means. It could be something as simple as a dead, old battery that just needs a replacement, or it could be something more serious like an issue with the alternator or the greater electrical system of your car. The light can only tell you so much. If your car also has a voltage meter, that could also give you a good hint as to what's happening. Much like the check engine light, the battery light is only an indicator that something is wrong.In short, the light can seem scary, but you don't have to panic and pull over immediately if your car is driving fine. Get to somewhere where you can safely see what's wrong and get the problem rectified.
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