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Driver Monitoring
These are all Driver Monitoring System Indicator symbols. They appear as an eye in a box broken by lines passing through the sides of the box or a slightly closed eye alone. The first indicates that the system is on and working and is seen in green. The second indicates that the system is turned off and is seen in yellow/amber/orange along with the word OFF. There are two additional symbols shown below.
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Note that Cadillac uses the third symbol above under two circumstances, when the system is unavailable and when the system is disabled.
First when the As vehicles inch closer to self driving, driver focus becomes a greater and greater concern. The technology here uses a near-infrared camera to focus on the driver’s eyes and head positions to determine whether or not the driver is paying attention to the road or is getting drowsy. The system provides audible signals, escalating visual alerts, and reminders in the event of distraction or drowsiness. Note that a Coffee Cup symbol may be shown as well. Click the link for more.
From Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo offers these two alerts, and the first one found in red. The symbol adds an eyebrow at the top as well. It will be seen continuously in red until the driver turns it off using a control on the steering wheel.
Problem Symbols
The first is again from Alfa Romeo, which adds the exclamation point to the eye with an eyebrow and is also seen in yellow/amber/orange. An exclamation point is in common use to indicate a system problem, and says that driver detection is not operating properly.
This first of the two additional indicators, both seen in yellow/amber/orange, has a line drawn diagonally through it. It indicates that the system has stopped temporarily because it has overheated or it cannot see the driver face and expressions properly.
The yellow/amber/orange version of the symbol without the diagonal line or the word OFF indicates a malfunction in the system. Have your dealer or qualified repair shop determine and repair the cause of the malfunction.
From Smart
This pair of symbols is from the Smart division of Mercedes-Benz. The first with a circle intruding on the shield shape, is meant to indicate that the monitoring sensor is blocked. Its difficult to know how this is represented in the symbol. The second, also with a shield shape and torso inside, is a fault indicator. The triangle and exclamation point are common in fault indicators. They are both seen in yellow/amber/orange.
Make sure the sensors, likely near the inside rear view mirror, not covered. Otherwise, see a qualified service center.
Symbols in White (Audi)
This version in black and white is used by Audi, and is accompanied by a message on the instrument panel. This necessary because the symbol can mean two very different things. First. it is calling for the driver to take a break. Second, it indicates that the system is unavailable. The text message will win the day.
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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.
The author has 30+ 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, ME: MS, RPI, NY