On This Page
Our Story
Formed its formation in 2010, we have since made DashboardSymbols.com into the single most comprehensive reference library for instrument panel warning lights and indicators anywhere in the world. We hold over 1,200 symbols, indicators, warning and fault lights seen on instrument panels across the industry.
In addition, we are the world’s leading authority on back-up open and start processes for keyless start cars with key fobs that are not working across 50+ manufacturers, We are not affiliated with any automaker.
Our work
The content on these pages is research-based, updated regularly, and written to help drivers understand warning indicators and key fob issues. Information is specific and varies by make, model and year.
We have experience in the automotive industry going back a good 45 years. The company’s founder has over 35 years experience in parts, service and sales, as well as business experience in market research and web development.
Why we work
What is happening today has led to this site in the hope of providing avenues to get real help to drivers who are simply that, drivers. Not car people, not service techs, but drivers. The good people who make up the automotive industry are increasingly out of touch with the everyday folks with jobs to get to and kids to raise who must drive their cars, not dissect them.
A new language has developed alongside the new technologies appearing in vehicles that is reflected in the messages, reminder and warning lights inundating drivers today. We’ll help you understand and translate the new language. We will make your car more accessible to you and provide help with other common problems you may encounter. That help will be found here in these pages.
And that Smart Key FOB that lets you into your car and start it with just a touch? Its using its own internal battery at an alarming rate, and could easily catch you unawares. When it happens, and it will, your car will have been trying to warn you – with yet another symbol!
This website was born of a desire to address the most often repeated questions asked of service departments today. Those questions start with the myriad of new indicator lights and why they are on. They then move through to advanced systems in today’s vehicles that, when being troublesome, can leave an unprepared driver stranded. Most commonly a Key FOB – your car’s remote control – gone dead in push button start vehicles.
We have spoken to motorists who are frustrated, angry and afraid, and in some cases have come to hate their vehicles.
We want to change the game.
We want to treat drivers in a way that respects their time and intelligence: giving them tools and information and not more “education.”
Are you a car buff? A techie? Then this site isn’t likely for you. Its for everyone else. And we’ll keep our eyes and ears open for more.
The rest of our story
Here 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 or a misbehaving push button-start car. Its all here on this website. Our first intention is to bring the latest technologies down to earth and understandable for everyday drivers, and now including electric vehicles (EVs).
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.
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.
And Smart Keys or Intelligent Keys, or Access Keys – or whatever the manufacturer of your chooses to call them – that let you into your car and start it with just a touch use up their internal batteries at alarming rates, catching busy drivers unawares – even though the car has been trying to warn you. With more symbols!
Our goal is to help you feel safe – and keep you moving or get you moving if at all possible – rather than leave you fretting whenever one of these warning lights shows up or your key fob stops working. The first-cut answers can be found on our pages as well as instructions for getting into and starting most keyless start cars – without roadside assistance.
Your car’s manufacturer and your dealer may expect you to memorize all this, but we don’t. We know you are busy and need a break!
We’ve covered models from Acura, Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Fisker, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Holden, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Oldsmobile, Opel, Polestar, Pontiac, Porsche, Ram, Rivian, Saab, Saturn, Scion, Skoda, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Tesla, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Volvo, and Wagoneer (which is now Jeep again!).
So, we have you covered!
We also recognize that nearly no one remembers a rarely-used piece of information until they have dealt with it multiple times.
See us on YouTube here, on X here, and on Facebook here.
And if you a dealer or dealer group, let us help you give your customers a customized back up plan. Contact us for details.
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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.
