Shift and Up Shift Indicators

Shift Indicators

These are Up,  Down or simply Shift Indicator symbols. A handful of vehicle manufacturers use these lights in vehicles with manual transmissions to indicate when it is best to shift to a higher or lower gear for optimum fuel economy.

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Land Rover

These two, used by Land Rover, may be seen in either green or black and white. The indicator for an up-shift illuminates briefly at the recommended gear change point, again in vehicles with a manual transmission.

Maserati

Maserati uses these two versions in black and white. They light up to indicate gear shift change in order to optimize fuel consumption. The company offers only automatic transmissions, but It is possible to change gear manually pressing the Drive/Manual button and using the shift paddles.

Many More Versions

For the most part, the symbols themselves are green, indicating that they are intended to be informative and helpful and not warnings. The symbol above on the far right is an up-pointing arrow and the simple word SHIFT. The images here to the left include a bumpy circle, which represents a mechanical flywheel. The first adds a Plus (+) sign indicating that an upshift is in order. The flywheel without the Plus sign is particular to a Sport Mode selection from one manufacturer and indicates that more aggressive shifting will be employed automatically.

These first two indicators, again in green, are again up or down arrows or pyramids. Included in this example is the number 2 as a suggested gear target of the shift. The number 1 or 3 or 4 or 5, etc may be seen as well. The last one seems a bit of overkill from Land Rover being very specific and more complicated on an upshift. It seemingly assume the driver can’t count!

These two, however, are displayed in yellow/amber. In addition, there is an Up Shift and a Down Shift Indicator. Their purpose remains the same, to aide in fuel economizing. The images are that of a shifter with an arrow either above for Up Shift or below for Down. It can be described as a ball on a rod angled away from a two level base.

The ST symbol seen to the left is a Performance Shift Indicator. In vehicles so equipped, the indicator will be seen when the powertrain reaches the optimum upshift point. However, it will flash when the engine is close to hitting the engine speed limiter.

Another exception will be seen in gray scale in the vehicles information display. It appears as a gear – something that may be found inside a transmission – and is part of an electronic shift notification system. Performance Algorithm Liftfoot (PAL) or Performance Algorithm Shift (PAS).

Similar Symbol

Do not confuse the second image with the Settings Indicator symbol on the right. It is nearly identical to the bumpy circle used when referring to the transmission, but lacks any addition in the center and is shown in gray scale. The settings indicator will most generally be seen in the separate Information Display.

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