Car Warning Light Symbols and Indicators

Which Warning Lights Are Active On Your Dashboard?

The following guide will help you understand which car warning light symbols and indicators can be found on your dashboard for most makes and models of cars, trucks, buses and motorbikes.

You’ll learn whether it is a critical warning that requires immediate attention, or whether you have time to visit a local mechanic.

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Jump to:
Warning Symbols | Safety Symbols | Lighting Symbols | Common Symbols | Advanced Feature Symbols | Diesel-Powered Vehicle Symbols

Warning Symbols

Check your car’s dashboard lighting as it is essential to identify your car’s potential problem, safety issues or immediate failure points.

car engine temperature warning light

Engine Temperature Warning Light

Indicator light means the engine temperature has exceeded normal limits. Check coolant level, fan operation, radiator cap, coolant leaks. Click

car battery charge warning light

Battery Charge Warning Light

Indicator light means that the car’s charging system is short of power or is not charging properly. It normally indicates a problem with the battery itself or the alternator. Click

car oil pressure warning light

Oil Pressure Warning Light

Indicator light means loss of oil pressure, meaning lubrication is low or lost completely. Immediately check the oil level and pressure. Click

car break warning light

Brake Warning Light

Indicator light turns on when the handbrake is on. If it lit continuously, it means that hydraulic pressure has been lost in one side of the brake system or that the fluid level in the master cylinder is dangerously low (due to a leak somewhere in the brake system). Click

Safety Symbols

Your vehicle’s dashboard light plays an important role. These lights indicate an issue with your car that needs either an immediate action or checking.

car transmission temperature safety symbol light

Transmission Temperature

Indicator light means the engine temperature has exceeded normal limits. Check coolant level, fan operation, radiator cap, coolant leaks. Click

car tire pressure warning light

Tire Pressure Warning Light

Indicator light means the pressure is low in one of your tires. Click

car traction control off safety symbols

Traction Control Off

Indicator light means that the vehicles TCS (traction control system) has been deactivated. Click

car steering wheel lock safety symbol

Steering Wheel Lock

Indicator light means your steering wheel is locked and can not be moved. To turn off the steering lock, insert the key into the ignition and turn it to at least the first position while turning the steering wheel in either direction. Click

car trailer tow hitch warning light

Trailer Tow Hitch Warning

Indicator lights mean that the tow hitch is unlocked or that there’s an issue with the lighting system. Click

car traction control light safety symbol

Traction Control Light

Indicator light turns on when the vehicle TCS (traction control system) is activated. Click

car service vehicle soon safety symbol

Service Vehicle Soon

Indicator light turns on when there is a fault condition in an area of the vehicle chassis systems such as—the anti-lock (ABS) brake system, the traction control (TCS) system, the electronic suspension system, or the brake hydraulic system. Click

car security alert safety symbol

Security Alert

Indicator light will turn on momentarily if the ignition switch is locked and will need the proper transponder-equipped key to restart. If the light is visible when the vehicle is on, then it typically indicates a malfunction in the security system. Click

car side airbag safety symbol

Side Airbag

Indicator light means a fault with the side airbag. Click

car reduced power warning safety symbol

Reduced Power Warning

Indicator light means that the Engine Computer has limited engine power output. Click

car seat belt indicator safety symbol

Seat Belt Indicator

Indicator light means that a seat belt has not been secured for a passenger in the vehicle. Click

car press clutch pedal safety symbol

Press Clutch Pedal

Indicator to push the clutch. Click

car powertrain fault safety symbol

Powertrain Fault

Indicator light turns on when a powertrain or AWD fault has been detected. Contact your mechanic as soon as possible. Click

car power steering warning light safety symbol

Power Steering Warning Light

Indicator light turns on if there is an issue with the power steering system, and will be disabled until fixed. Click

car press brake pedal safety symbol

Press Brake Pedal

Indicator to push the brake pedal. Click

car parking brake light safety symbol

Parking Brake Light

Indicator light means park brake is on. Click

car overdrive light safety symbol

Overdrive Light

Indicator light means that the vehicle’s overdrive system has been manually turned off. Click

car oil change reminder safety symbol

Oil Change Reminder

Indicator light means that oil life has expired. Click

car master warning light safety symbol

Master Warning Light

Indicator light usually accompanied by another warning light and indicates that one or more warning systems have been detected. Click

car information warning light safety symbol

Information Warning Light

Indicator light will turn on when a new message is stored in the information display. It will be red or amber in color depending on the severity of the message and will remain on until the cause of the message has been rectified. Click

car icy road warning light safety symbol

Icy Road Warning Light

Indicator light turns on when the outside air starts to reach freezing temperatures, around 35°F or 3°C. Click

car gas or fuel cap safety symbol

Gas/Fuel Cap

Indicator light turns on if the gas/fuel cap is not properly tightened. Click

car esp fault or traction control malfunction safety symbol

ESP Fault/Traction Control Malfunction

Indicator light means that there is a problem with the vehicle’s traction control. Click

car electric park brake safety symbol

Electric Park Brake

Indicator light turns on when the electric parking brake has a malfunction. Click

car distance warning safety symbol

Distance Warning

Indicator light means that a vehicle in front is too close or is being approached too quickly, or that a stationary obstacle exists in the direction of travel. Click

car clogged air filter safety symbol

Clogged Air Filter

Indicator light turns on when there is reduced airflow to the engine. Have the air filter replaced or inspected. Click

car child safety lock safety symbol

Child Safety Lock

Indicator light means child safety lock is active. Click

car check engine or malfunction indicator light safety symbol

Check Engine or Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)

Indicator light turns on whenever the engine is turned on to check the bulb. If the light stays illuminated, the car’s diagnostic systems have detected a malfunction that needs to be investigated. Click

car catalytic converter warning safety symbol

Catalytic Converter Warning

Indicator light means the catalytic converter is either overheating or not operating as intended. Click

car brake fluid safety symbol

Brake Fluid

Indicator light means that the brake fluid level is low. Click

car brake pad warning safety symbol

Brake Pad Warning

Indicator light means that the brake pads are worn. Click

car brake lights warning safety symbol

Brake Lights Warning

Indicator light means an exterior brake light bulb is defective. Check the operation of all the exterior brake light bulbs. Click

car automatic gearbox warning safety symbol

Automatic Gearbox Warning

Indicator light means there’s a gearbox/transmission malfunction. Click

car anti-lock braking system safety symbol

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Indicator light means there may be a malfunction in the ABS system. Click

car all wheel drive safety symbol

All Wheel Drive (AWD/4WD)

Indicator light turns on when there is a malfunction with the 4WD system. Click

car airbag indicator safety symbol

Airbag Indicator

Indicator light turns on when the front airbag is switched off. If this lamp lights up or flashes there is a fault in the airbag or seatbelt system. Click

car airbag deactivated safety symbol

Airbag Deactivated

Indicator light turns on when there is a fault in the rear spoiler system. Click

car adaptive suspension dampers safety symbol

Adaptive Suspension Dampers

Indicator light means there is a need to contact an authorised repairer. Click

car 4 wheel drive lock indicator light safety symbol

4 Wheel Drive (4WD) LOCK Indicator Light

Indicator light means that the vehicle’s 4WD Lock mode is activated. Click

car air suspension safety symbol

Air Suspension

Indicator light means that there is a problem with the air suspension bags, likely due to a leak or inflation issue. Click

Lighting Symbols

Vehicle lighting symbols are connected to your car’s lighting system. These symbols are usually blue, green, or yellow in colour.

low beam indicator lighting symbol

Low Beam Indicator Light

Indicator light means that the vehicles dipped beam is on. Click

car lamp out lighting symbol

Lamp Out

Indicator light means that there is an exterior light on the vehicle that is not functioning properly. Click

car high beam light indicator lighting symbol

High Beam Light Indicator

Indicator light means your car’s high beam headlights are on, or if the high beam flash function is used. Click

car headlight range control lighting symbol

Headlight Range Control

Indicator light turns on if there is an issue detected with the headlight range control system. Click

car front fog lights lighting symbol

Front Fog Lights

Indicator light means front fog lights are turned on. Click

car exterior light fault lighting symbol

Exterior Light Fault

Indicator light means any exterior light on your car isn’t working. Click

car auto high beam lighting symbol

Auto High Beam

Indicator light means the Auto High Beam system has switched on high beam headlights. Click

car adaptive light system lighting symbol

Adaptive Light System

Indicator light will lit when adaptive headlights are turned on. Click

car side light indicator lighting symbol

Side Light Indicator

Indicator light will turn on when the normal headlights are in use. Click

car rear fog lights switched on lighting symbol

Rear Fog Lights Switched On

Indicator light means rear fog lights are on. Click

car rain and light sensor lighting symbol

Rain and Light Sensor

Indicator light means there is an issue with the sensor system. The wipers and lights will not function automatically. Click

Common Symbols

To avoid future problems with your car it is important to check not just the warning lights but also the common vehicle lights.

car windshield defrost common light symbols

Windshield Defrost

Indicator light means that the window defrost is in operation. Click

car washer fluid reminder common light symbol

Washer Fluid Reminder

Indicator light indicates if the windscreen washer fluid reservoir is nearly empty. Fill the washer fluid reservoir. Click

car rear window defrost common light symbol

Rear Window Defrost

Indicator light means that the rear window defrost is in operation. Click

car low fuel level common light symbol

Low Fuel Level

Indicator light means that the car is running low on fuel and will soon need a refill. Click

car key not in vehicle common light symbol

Key Not in Vehicle

Indicator light means the key is not in the car. Click

car bonnet or hood open common light symbol

Hood/Bonnet Open

Indicator light means that the car hood is not closed properly. Click

car hazard lights on common light symbol

Hazard Lights On

Indicator light means hazard lights are turned on. Click

car fan common light symbol

Fan

Indicator light means that the internal ventilation/fan is in operation. Click

car door ajar common light symbol

Door Ajar

Indicator light turns on when one or more doors of the car are not shut properly. Click

car direction or signal common light symbol

Direction/Signal Indicators

Indicator light means that one of the turn signals (left or right) has been activated. Click

car on ramp common light symbol

Car on Ramp

Indicator light means that the vehicle is on a ramp/jack system. Click

Advanced Feature Symbols

The advanced feature symbols of your car are associated with a special and advanced automotive feature. It prompts you if there are potential issues or if the system is active and operating.

car recirculated cabin air light symbol

Recirculated Cabin Air

Indicator light means that the vehicle’s ventilation system is recirculating air from within the vehicle, suitable when particularly cold outside. Click

car rear spoiler warning light symbol

Rear Spoiler Warning

Indicator light turns on when there is a fault in the rear spoiler system. Click

car parking with park assist pilot light symbol

Parking with Park Assist Pilot

Indicator light means PAP (Park Assist Pilot) is activated. Click

car lane departure warning light symbol

Lane Departure Warning

Indicator light means the vehicle is detected to be moving out of its current lane without signalling. Click

car lane assist light symbol

Lane Assist

Indicator light turns on when the lane assist system is switched on and road markings can be detected. Click

car key fob battery low light symbol

Key Fob Battery Low

Indicator light lets you know when your key fob battery needs to be changed and replaced, so you can continue using the remote. Click

car ignition switch warning light symbol

Ignition Switch Warning

Indicator light means there’s an issue with the ignition system or the car key. It could be due to a glitch or worn out key. Click

car hill descent control light symbol

Hill Descent Control

Indicator light turns on when the system is activated and helps you maintain a specific speed while driving down a hill. Click

car forward collision warning light symbol

Forward Collision Warning

Indicator light turns on when a potential collision is detected. Click

car eco-driving indicator light symbol

Eco Driving Indicator

Indicator light will turn on when the Eco function is activated. Click

car cruise control light symbol

Cruise Control

Indicator light means the cruise control system is activated. Click

car convertible roof warning light symbol

Convertible Roof Warning Light

Indicator light will turn on while the roof is either opening or closing. If the lamp is lit continuously the roof is not fully opened, or there is a fault in the system. Click

car brake hold indicator light symbol

Brake Hold Indicator Light

Indicator light means that the brake hold system is functioning properly. Click

car blind spot indicator light symbol

Blind Spot Indicator Light

Indicator light turns on when a vehicle or obstruction is detected in the blind spot. Click

car auto windscreen wiping light symbol

Auto Windscreen Wiping

Indicator light means the windscreen wipers are in operation on Automatic mode. Click

car automatic emergency braking light symbol

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)

Indicator light turns on when the AEB system is turned off or when the radar sensor or cover is blocked with dirt or snow. Click

car cruise control light symbol

Adaptive Cruise Control

Indicator light means that the ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) is in operation. Click

car winter mode light symbol

Winter Mode

Indicator light lets you know you’re driving on winter mode. Click

car start-stop warning light

Start/Stop Warning Light

Indicator light turns on to inform the driver that Intelligent Stop / Start system is active and the engine has been shut down. Click

car speed limited light symbol

Speed Limiter

Indicator light means that the speed limiter function is activated. Click

car seat temperature light symbol

Seat Temperature

Indicator light means that the air flow is distributed between front side window, windscreen and footwell de-misting vents. Click

Diesel-Powered Vehicle Symbols

One of the common diesel-powered car dashboard light symbols is the glow plug indicator. This lighting pre-glows when it is warming up and worn-out glow if there’s a plug issue.

car glow plug indicator light symbol

Glow Plug Indicator

Indicator light means that the engine’s glow plugs are warming up and the engine should not be started until the light goes out. If it flashes, an issue has been detected, such as a worn out glow plug. Click

car fuel filter warning light symbol

Fuel Filter Warning

Indicator light means that the diesel fuel filter is full, and needs to be emptied to avoid engine damage. Click

car exhaust fluid light symbol

Exhaust Fluid

Indicator light means that the diesel exhaust fluid reservoir is low on fluid. Click

car adblue tank is empty light symbol

AdBlue Tank is Empty

Indicator light means you have to fill the tank with more exhaust fluid. Click

car adblue malfunction light symbol

AdBlue Malfunction

Indicator light means either the AdBlue system is malfunctioning or the system is not filled with the standard liquid. Click

car water fluid filter warning light symbol

Water Fluid Filter Warning

Indicator light means water in fuel filter has reached maximum capacity. Drain the water from filter. Click

Your Questions Answered – View all

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