Automatic or Active Speed Limiter or Malfunction Indicators

Common Speed Limiter Symbols

These are Speed Limiter and Automatic or Active or Adaptive Speed Limiter (ASL) Indicator symbols. They illuminate when a speed has been set and the limiter is active. It will appear in green unless or until the set speed is reached when it turns yellow/amber.

• Before continuing, are you sure one of these is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
• Otherwise you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

Speed set

The three versions seen to the left start in white inside the message center when the system is on and available or temporarily cancelled. It turns to green, like the third image, or yellow/amber, depending on the manufacturer, when a speed is set. It goes gray if the system is interrupted. The set speed will be shown separately in the message center and will flash if the speed is exceeded.

In the first example, the set speed is displayed in the image, which is a half or three quarter circle with the letter LIM shown below. The partial circle is likely meant to be a dial. The second image image is that of a broken dial like a speedometer with a marked range indicated by a double-ended arrow. It also gives the appearance of a clock. The acronym ASL is added. The third image is much like the first.

From BMW

Finally, the word SET in green may be seen when a limit has been set. BMW detects the current speed limit and uses symbol at the point that a detected speed limit can be applied with the SET button. The company uses the gray and green symbols directly above as well.

It is identical to symbols used in much older vehicles when setting the cruise control.

From Opel

This pair show up in the message center of Opel vehicles. The first says that the  speed limiter is activated. The second rather obviously states that the limiter has been turned off. Some models also use the first symbol shown under Speed set above.

From Fiat

This set is from Fiat and differentiates between Active Speed Limiter and Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) by adding the sign in the image. In white, the systems are ready. In green, the systems are on.  The Intelligent Speed Assist system combines the Active Speed Limiter and Traffic Sign Assist (TSA) systems to automatically adjust the maximum speed of the vehicle based on detected traffic signs.

From Skoda

These two in black and white from Skoda are simply the Speed Limiter is active (far left) and the second is a fault indicator. The exclamation point is almost exclusively used to indicate a fault. Just more variations on a theme.

From Smart

The Smart division of Mercedes-Benz created two sets of Speed Limiting indicators in two years! The first set, seen to the left, already inverts the more common use of the LIM acronym, moving it to the top. Seen in gray, it indicates the system is ready. In green, it is active, and in yellow/amber/orange, it indicated that the set speed has been exceeded. This can occur if the accelerator is pressed for a long time and the vehicle speed exceeds the preset maximum value.

The very next model year, the company came up with an entirely different set of indicators, using a circle in place of the speedometer dial (we think). The colors are as follows: gray is ready, as above; blue is used when the system is active; and yellow/amber/orange here indicates an actual fault in the speed limiting system rather than an overspeed.

Speed Limit Sign Use

This version replicates an actual speed limit sign that would be seen on any highway coast-to-coast in North America. It would be displayed in the information center along with a depiction of the car travelling on the highway. It is known as Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), which is uses information from the detected road signs and uses the navigation system data to inform of the speed limit and to help maintain the proper speed automatically.

Alternatively, a speed may be chosen and set which will appear in blue, which indicates the system is active. It is associated with Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control.

The image styles are a manufacturer choice, and the one with the speed shown is only marginally more informative than the other.

From Fisker

A step ahead is a system from Fisker Inc. that adds the detection of a road’s speed limit and adjusts the vehicle’s speed accordingly. As part of the company’s Advanced Diver Assistance  System (ADAS), Fisker Intelligent Pilot, or Fi-Pilot, uses the symbols to the left to indicate that the system is available, in gray scale or on, in blue.

Common Fault Symbols

These images include the exclamation point and indicates a malfunction in the Speed Limiter system. The numerals found in one of the images above are replaced by a broken line. The system will be unavailable until it is serviced by a qualified shop. Note that the system is a part of the cruise control system, and it too may be unavailable. All the images include an exclamation point commonly found in a fault indicator.

The system uses the cruise control speed adjustment to set a speed limit. The set limit will likely be displayed in a message screen. When set, the engine will respond normally up to the set speed. The vehicle will not accelerate beyond the set speed unless sudden, rapid acceleration is needed and applied forcing the transmission to kick down to a lower gear. Speed limitation is then suspended.

Related Symbol

The symbol to the right is from an Active system and may be related. Click here for more.

——————————————————————-

The information on this website is provided 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.

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.

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.

Disclaimer and Privacy Policy