Lane Departure
These are all Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Lane Departure Mitigation (LDM), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Lane Keeping Assist/Aid (LKA), Lane Keeping Assistant System (LKAS), Lane-keep Assist System (LAS), LaneSense Indicator, Lane Change Assist (LCA), Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK) symbols, or are part of a Driver Alert System. Assuming there are detectable lane markers, and the system is active, these indicators will light and will blink yellow/amber if the vehicle is traveling close to either the left or the right of the traveling lane.
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Note that with some manufacturers, that these systems are moving to active rather than simple warning status. This is to say that vehicles properly equipped will actually turn the steering wheel enough to remain in the proper lane (LDP above). Seen in green, it indicates that the system is on a ready and that both lane lines have been detected.
A warning chime may also be heard. The symbols look like a car in a lane or leaving a lane (or breaking through a fence!), or like lane markers with arrows pointing at them or just the markers. A steady black and white light indicates that lane keeping is not ready; green indicates the system is ready and may gently turn the steering wheel if the vehicle approaches a lane marking; and is seen in yellow/amber and flashes as a lane departure warning when a lane marking has been unintentionally crossed.
We now have a manufacturer who is using the first symbol to the left and seen above as well as a fault indicator. But more importantly, it is using the next two images in red to indicate that the vehicle is close to the left lane’s edge or the right lane’s edge, respectively. The fact that the car’s steering wheel is likely vibrating or being actively steering to maintain the lane is not enough.
One manufacturer has chosen to combine the symbol on the left with the rain sensor indicator. They are shown in white or gray. In white, both the lane keeping and rain sensing systems are on. In gray, both systems are on but no lane markers are detected.
Another has added the Hands on Steering Wheel Indicator, but remains intended for the lane keeping system. The driver’s hands should, in fact, be on the wheel. In yellow/amber, it indicates a problem with the system. In green or black and white, it indicates the systems is on.
Images seen in shades of black and white are seen in the vehicle’s center information display. Here yet another manufacturer uses the lane lines simply to indicate the system is active. Another uses the image to indicate the system is active and lane lines are detected. It goes gray if lane lines are not detected. The last one, white on black, says the system is on, but no lines are detected. Only the particular manufacturer’s owner’s manual will determine what any given light indicates.
The addition of a star indicates that a particular driver’s preferences have been activated. As above, a steady black and white light may also be used to indicate that lane keeping is not ready; green indicates the system is ready and may gently turn the steering wheel if the vehicle approaches a lane marking; and is seen in yellow/amber and flashes as a lane departure warning when a lane marking has been unintentionally crossed.
In this case, the manufacturer displays the lane lines and turns one side red when the vehicle crosses the line without having used a turn signal. The steering wheel will also vibrate to further alert the driver. Both lines are shown in red here, but only one will in practice.
The light is green if the system is simply on. Most manufacturers who offer the system or systems make use of the larger Information Displays (see here) to indicate the system’s operation, and others offer a text symbol like the one to the left. If the system is turned off, you may see one of the symbols to the right, which may include the word OFF. One even adds an arrow pointing outside the line and a star meant to indicate a collision for really no good reason.
These are Lane Change Assist (LCA) indicators, part of a Highway Driving Assist system. We’re showing two colors here, but in fact the system moves through four colors depending on the circumstance. In white, the system is off. In gray, the system is on stand by. In green, it is safe to change lanes.
A yellow/orange light indicates a malfunction in the system. Lane Change Assist does not change lanes for the driver, but simply informs on whether changing lanes is safe or not. It can be used only on highways with clear lane markings, above 40 miles per hour, and only in concert with the use of the turn signals.
And there is this variation, called Lane Centering, which features indicators with either arrows on either side of lane markings and a car or one that replaces the arrows with a steering wheel (right). This last point indicates the need to keep both hands on the wheel.
The indicator’s color of the denotes system status. Gray indicates the system is on but inactive. In green, the system is active and applying steering torque assistance input to keep the vehicle centered in the lane. Yellow/amber indicates a system problem or with an audible tone and then gray indicates automatic cancellation.
These versions, an LDW light, blinks if the system is active and the lane markers are approached. If any of these lights remain on in yellow/amber without blinking, including another that adds inward pointing arrows below the car image, there may be a fault in the system.
The picture symbol on the right, which adds the exclamation point to the image of a car leaving a lane, is also used by some manufacturers to indicate a fault.
In all cases, the vehicle is still drivable, but the system will need to be serviced by your dealer or authorized service center.
With the use of LKAS acronym, the amber light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is turned on. If the light stays on, it also indicates a problem with the system. The light comes on in white when the system is active and operating.
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY