What the Hell is that Light on My Dashboard?

Warning Symbols and Tell-tales

What the Hell is that Light on My Dashboard? Automotive service departments across the country are inundated with questions like this on a daily basis. So, what IS that light? That new acronym? What do they mean? Do you know?

Here at DashboardSymbols.com, we will show you, to help you understand what is happening to your vehicle at the first sign of trouble — a new warning light illuminated on your instrument panel. And, with this site, we put the tools you need to get the proper service in the palm of your hand.

Cars are changing, and among those changes is the growing number of symbols and indicators that will invariably show up on your instrument panel. Every year, new features are added to vehicles, each of which is accompanied by a new symbol or acronym. Drivers are frustrated, afraid and sometimes even angry at the growing number of these seemingly senseless symbols. Known as tell-tales in the industry, we are dedicated to keeping them sorted out for you.

On this site you will find pictorial representations of all the little warning lights, symbols and signs that show up from time to time on your instrument panel, including the text versions. We can’t fix a problem for you. What we can do is give you enough information to know what you need to do and perhaps let you breath a little easier.

The intent of DashboadSymbols.com is show you what the symbol is and supply a summary of the function it describes as well as what, if anything, you can do. Certainly we can tell you what the manufacturer expects you to do. For the full function of any feature of your vehicle, refer to your owners manual or contact your dealer.

The point is to help you relax — and keep moving if at all possible — rather than leave you fretting whenever one of these lights shows up. And ultimately to create information tools you can keep with you for use 24/7.

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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.