Communication, Communication, Communication

Communication

Communication issues continue to plague instrument panels. The instrument panel is the only interface between the car and its driver. Unfortunately, manufacturers continue to fail their drivers.

Several months ago I posted on the failure of a 12 volt start battery in a electric vehicle (EV). The car’s owner was more frightened than informed by the messages shown her on the instrument panel. They included do not drive warnings and a message on a battery failure that only led her to believe that the high voltage battery had failed.

Then another friend got a low tire pressure warning. Not surprising as it was cold. However, while he had seen an screen depicting the actual tire pressures, he was not shown that screen when the warning appeared.

Finally, in my car, I have had several instances where, as I would begin driving, the car would begin displaying a put the vehicle in Park message, without a reason why. I’ve since come to learn that the driver’s door occasional fails to latch properly.

In each instance, the vehicle essentially failed to properly inform its driver. More specifically, the car’s manufacturer failed to properly program messages that would fully inform their drivers. Their customers. The people that keep them in business.

Symbols, pictures, cryptic messages are a failure. There has to be a better way. Car’s have voice today. It seems to us that systems could be programmed to fully explain any situation in any car at any time.

We’ve pleaded for this in the past…

Cars are changing, and among those changes is the growing number of symbols and indicators that will invariably show up on your dashboard or instrument panel. Every year, new features are added to vehicles, each of which is accompanied by a new symbol or symbols and likely a new acronym.

At DashboardSymbols.com, our aim is 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. Its all here on this website. Our first intention is to bring the latest technologies down to earth and understandable for everyday drivers.

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The material on these pages 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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