Martin had driven the same silver sedan for years, and he thought he knew every light on its dashboard. One warm afternoon, while returning home, a strange red symbol appeared. It looked like a tiny boat floating on waves. Martin laughed and wondered whether his car was suddenly warning him about water. Then he remembered seeing the symbol before, although he could never recall its meaning. He slowed down, but the light stayed red.

The temperature gauge began climbing higher than usual, and a faint smell drifted through the vents. Still, the engine sounded normal, so Martin convinced himself he could make it home. A few minutes later, the car hesitated at a traffic light. He looked again at the strange symbol, now glowing brighter. For the first time, he opened the owner’s manual, searching for the picture. What he discovered made his stomach tighten before making another important decision.