Drive Mode Indicators

Drive mode overview

This page contains dozens of Drive Mode Indicator symbols. It has become out of control and we are slowly creating pages for individual manufacturers. Links to those pages are added as they are created and are reached via the Table of Contents.

The important thing to remember is that these indicators appear when a choice is made in a menu or a button is pushed somewhere on the dashboard or center console. If you are surprised by what you are seeing, check your vehicle’s menus.

Finally, if you do not find your indicator on the page, find the manufacturer of your vehicle in the links below. Your indicator will be found there.

• Before moving on, are you sure one of these is your symbol (see more below)??
• If not, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

Drive Mode Indicators By Manufacturer

Cadillac and Chevrolet modes

Dodge modes

Ford drive modes

Hyundai modes

Lexus modes

Lincoln Modes

Ram modes

Skoda modes

Subaru modes

Suzuki modes

Toyota modes

Hybrid and Electric vehicle modes

Overview continued

There is seemingly no end to the number of variations of indicators used by manufacturers covering an equally endless number of drive modes.

Shown first (above) are variations for the most common – SPORT and ECO. However, these symbols continue to evolve and there are many, many more to discuss. In fact, you might want to check the bottom of the page first for the senselessly long list of additional symbols that have evolved over the years…

Racing Mode indicators

Drive modes are chosen by the driver and either enhance power and performance, enhance fuel economy or maintain a balance between them. If you see one of these, just know that the drive mode can be changed with the press of a button or tap of a screen. The last three are Track Mode Indicators and should only be used on a closed track.

VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) or ESC (Electronic Stability Control) can also be manipulated to enhance the driver’s control over the car. In this case, the VSC/ESC is turned off, hence the yellow/amber color, likely for very aggressive driving or drifting. If it appears when the option has not been chosen, it indicates a fault that will require a qualified service shop.

Sport mode indicators

These are all Sport Mode Indicators.  A plain ‘S’ is used both as a Sport Mode Indicator and a SynchroRev Match Mode (S-MODE) indicator. The SynchroRev Match mode is found only in a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission.  It automatically adjusts the engine speed to match the selecting gear ratio while changing gears.

Similarly, the Sport Mode Indicators and an Excite Mode Indicator, which is essentially the same thing, that follow will downshift an automatic transmission when engaged and enables performance shift features when spirited driving is detected, maintaining lower transmission gears to increase available engine braking and improve acceleration response.

The flag motifs are common as well as Sport mode indicators.

 

Normal mode indicators

These are Normal Mode Indicators. It is used for normal city and highway driving to provide a smooth, soft ride in a high-performance vehicle. It provides a balanced setting between comfort and handling and is the standard mode.

Most vehicles will not display a mode setting for normal operation.

More mode image variations are shown below

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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.

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Additional and common variations

Below are additional mode variations. There are rings, circles, mountains, flags and batteries featured, along with a lot of plain text. Again, these are choices made by the driver, so if you’re seeing this unexpectedly, look for menu options in your vehicle.

Note that images with flags are track modes and the remaining images lacking text are generally specialized off road modes.