Certain malfunctions in the Lynk & Co 08 can create immediate safety risks and require the driver to act straight away. Driving with a lit engine warning light or a fault in the braking system is dangerous and can lead to serious situations in which you put yourself and other road users at risk. Read on to find out which signals must never be ignored and what you should do when they appear.
Warning lights that require immediate action
The Lynk & Co 08 is equipped with an extensive system of warning lights that inform the driver about the condition of the vehicle. Not every light means you must stop immediately, but there are some signals you absolutely must not ignore.
The red brake warning light is a clear sign that you should not drive. This light indicates that there is a problem with the braking system, which can range from a low brake fluid level to a fault in the electronic brake system. Stop safely and call for assistance immediately if this light comes on.
The engine warning light can appear in different colours. A yellow light calls for attention and a check within a reasonable time. A red engine warning light means you must stop as soon as it is safe to do so. This may indicate serious engine problems such as overheating, loss of engine oil or a failure in the cooling system.
Is it safe to drive with an engine warning light on
An amber or yellow engine warning light does not automatically mean you must stop at once. It indicates that the engine or emissions system is not operating optimally. You can often still drive on to a garage, but avoid high speeds and heavy loads on the engine.
Watch out for the following signs that indicate you should stop immediately:
- The light flashes instead of staying on continuously
- You hear abnormal noises coming from the engine
- The engine is clearly running unevenly or is losing power
- The temperature gauge shoots up
- Several warning lights appear at the same time
If in doubt, it is always wiser to stop and have the situation assessed. The cause of an engine warning light can range from a loose fuel cap to a defective lambda sensor or catalytic converter. Have the fault code read at a garage to determine how serious the problem is.
What to do in case of brake faults in the Lynk & Co 08
Brake faults are among the most critical malfunctions you can encounter. The Lynk & Co 08 is equipped with advanced brake systems, including automatic emergency braking and anti-lock braking systems. When these systems report a fault, this calls for immediate action.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, stop safely and do not continue driving:
- The brake pedal feels soft or spongy
- You have to press the pedal much further to brake
- The vehicle pulls to one side when braking
- A warning about the ABS system appears
- You hear squeaking or scraping noises when braking
Switch on your hazard warning lights immediately when you notice that the brakes are not working properly. Try to manoeuvre the vehicle safely to the side of the road by carefully using the remaining braking power and, if necessary, the handbrake. Then call for assistance to have the vehicle recovered. Driving with faulty brakes is life-threatening and is not permitted by law.
Calling emergency assistance for a stranded Lynk & Co 08
The Lynk & Co 08 is fitted with an advanced eCall system (automatic emergency call system) that automatically contacts the emergency services in the event of serious accidents. This system immediately shares your location and vehicle details. In less urgent situations when you have broken down, you must take action yourself.
Follow these steps when you are stranded at the roadside:
- Pull over safely and switch on your hazard warning lights
- Place a warning triangle at least 30 metres away on normal roads, 100 metres on motorways
- Make sure all occupants get out of the vehicle safely and wait behind the crash barrier
- Call your roadside assistance provider or breakdown service
- Do not wait in or next to the vehicle if you are in a dangerous location
Store the telephone number of your breakdown service in your phone in advance. Many drivers only start looking up this number when they are already in a stressful situation. The eCall system is specifically intended for situations in which the airbags have been deployed or sensors detect a severe impact.
‘ When this system fails or reports a fault, you lose an important safety net. ’
Safety systems that can signal problems
The Lynk & Co 08 has achieved an impressive 5-star Euro NCAP rating, with scores of 90% for adult protection and 87% for child protection. These high scores are partly thanks to the advanced safety systems that actively think along with the driver.
The automatic emergency braking function operates from 30 km/h and detects pedestrians and cyclists. When this system fails or reports a fault, you lose an important safety net. Always have such a warning checked immediately, even if technically you are still able to drive.
The crash warning system pre-emptively activates the seatbelts, the brake light and warning signals when a collision is imminent. A defect in this system may mean that you do not receive the full level of protection you are counting on in an emergency. The driver drowsiness detection system warns you when it detects a tired driving style and helps prevent accidents caused by inattention.
Maintenance prevents safety issues
Many safety-related faults can be prevented through regular maintenance. For example, the brake fluid must be replaced every two years to guarantee the proper functioning of the braking system. Worn brake pads or brake discs reduce braking performance and can lead to dangerous situations.
Check the following components regularly:
- Brake fluid level and condition of the fluid
- Thickness of brake pads and condition of brake discs
- Tyre pressure and tread depth
- Operation of all lights
- Software updates for safety systems
Many modern safety systems depend on sensors and cameras. Keep the windscreen and sensors clean, as dirt can lead to error messages or reduced performance of systems such as automatic emergency braking or lane-keeping assistance. A smeared camera can cause the system to stop functioning reliably.
The driver’s responsibility remains paramount
Despite all the advanced safety systems in the Lynk & Co 08, the driver remains ultimately responsible. The assistance systems are designed to support you, not to take over control. Never place full trust in automated systems and always stay alert.
When a warning light indicates that it is unsafe to drive, take it seriously. The consequences of continuing to drive with a known fault can be far-reaching, not only for your own safety but also for that of other road users. If in doubt, stopping and calling for assistance is always the wisest choice.
The Lynk & Co 08 is among the safest vehicles in its class thanks to its solid construction, high crash test scores and advanced active safety systems. This safety is maintained when all systems are working correctly and are serviced regularly.
On the Carnews website you will find more in-depth information about common problems, maintenance tips and technical details of the Lynk & Co 08 and many other models. Discover more about how to keep your car in optimal condition and which signals you must not ignore.
Frequently asked questions
The Lynk & Co 08 has achieved a 5-star rating in Euro NCAP testing. The individual results are: 90% for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupant protection, 78% for protection of vulnerable road users and 81% for safety assist systems. Specific C-NCAP crash test results for the Lynk & Co 08 are not publicly available.
The Lynk & Co 08 offers various advanced driver assistance systems as standard or optional, including automatic emergency braking (AEB) for pedestrians and cyclists, driver drowsiness detection and a crash warning system that pre-emptively activates seatbelts and brake lights. Multi-collision braking helps limit further collisions after an initial impact, while Advanced eCall automatically contacts the emergency services in the event of a serious accident. These systems work together to prevent collisions or reduce their severity and therefore make a strong contribution to the active safety of occupants and vulnerable road users.
The Lynk & Co 08 offers very high passive safety, with a strong and stable body structure that shows a well-protected passenger cell in crash tests. The car achieves top results in frontal and side impacts, including pole impacts, which indicates that the basic construction is at least on a par with the better competitors in its segment. Combined with extensive protection for both adults and children, this positions the Lynk & Co 08 at the top of its class in terms of passive safety. However, there are no direct comparative data available on the exact number of airbags versus specific competitors.
The Lynk & Co 08 mainly distinguishes itself through its very high Euro NCAP score (5 stars) in combination with an extensive package of active safety systems, including AEB for pedestrians and cyclists from 30 km/h and driver drowsiness detection. Unique in its class is the far-reaching integration of the crash warning system with pre-tensioning of the seatbelts, multi-collision braking and automatic eCall. In addition, the 08 scores exceptionally well in side pole impacts and in protection between occupants, which is less common in this segment. The combination of frameless doors with a strong body structure is also striking for an SUV in this class.
The safety of the high-voltage batteries and the electrical system in the event of a collision in the Lynk & Co 08 is ensured by the structurally strong body that protects the battery packs and cables. In the case of a severe impact, the system automatically shuts off the high voltage so that live components are isolated. In addition, there are emergency and warning systems (such as eCall and rescue information) to allow emergency services to work safely around the electrical system. These measures have also been assessed in the Euro NCAP crash tests, in which the 08 achieved a 5-star rating.