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
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
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
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
Overdrive Light
Indicator light means that the vehicle’s overdrive system has been manually turned off. 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
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
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 Lights Warning
Indicator light means an exterior brake light bulb is defective. Check the operation of all the exterior brake light bulbs. 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
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.
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
Auto High Beam
Indicator light means the Auto High Beam system has switched on high beam headlights. 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.
Washer Fluid Reminder
Indicator light indicates if the windscreen washer fluid reservoir is nearly empty. Fill the washer fluid reservoir. Click
Low Fuel Level
Indicator light means that the car is running low on fuel and will soon need a refill. Click
Direction/Signal Indicators
Indicator light means that one of the turn signals (left or right) has been activated. 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
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
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
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
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
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
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