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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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.

Engine Temperature Warning Light

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

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

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

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.

Transmission Temperature

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

Tire Pressure Warning Light

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

Traction Control Off

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

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

Trailer Tow Hitch Warning

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

Traction Control Light

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

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

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

Side Airbag

Indicator light means a fault with the side airbag. Click

Reduced Power Warning

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

Seat Belt Indicator

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

Press Clutch Pedal

Indicator to push the clutch. Click

Powertrain Fault

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

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

Press Brake Pedal

Indicator to push the brake pedal. Click

Parking Brake Light

Indicator light means park brake is on. Click

Overdrive Light

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

Oil Change Reminder

Indicator light means that oil life has expired. Click

Master Warning Light

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

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

Icy Road Warning Light

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

Gas/Fuel Cap

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

ESP Fault/Traction Control Malfunction

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

Electric Park Brake

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

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

Clogged Air Filter

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

Child Safety Lock

Indicator light means child safety lock is active. Click

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

Catalytic Converter Warning

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

Brake Fluid

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

Brake Pad Warning

Indicator light means that the brake pads are worn. Click

Brake Lights Warning

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

Automatic Gearbox Warning

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

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

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

All Wheel Drive (AWD/4WD)

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

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

Airbag Deactivated

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

Adaptive Suspension Dampers

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

4 Wheel Drive (4WD) LOCK Indicator Light

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

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 Light

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

Lamp Out

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

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

Headlight Range Control

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

Front Fog Lights

Indicator light means front fog lights are turned on. Click

Exterior Light Fault

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

Auto High Beam

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

Adaptive Light System

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

Side Light Indicator

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

Rear Fog Lights Switched On

Indicator light means rear fog lights are on. Click

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.

Windshield Defrost

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

Washer Fluid Reminder

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

Rear Window Defrost

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

Low Fuel Level

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

Key Not in Vehicle

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

Hood/Bonnet Open

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

Hazard Lights On

Indicator light means hazard lights are turned on. Click

Fan

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

Door Ajar

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

Direction/Signal Indicators

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

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.

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

Rear Spoiler Warning

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

Parking with Park Assist Pilot

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

Lane Departure Warning

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

Lane Assist

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

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

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

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

Forward Collision Warning

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

Eco Driving Indicator

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

Cruise Control

Indicator light means the cruise control system is activated. Click

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

Brake Hold Indicator Light

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

Blind Spot Indicator Light

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

Auto Windscreen Wiping

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

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

Adaptive Cruise Control

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

Winter Mode

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

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

Speed Limiter

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

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.

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

Fuel Filter Warning

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

Exhaust Fluid

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

AdBlue Tank is Empty

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

AdBlue Malfunction

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

Water Fluid Filter Warning

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