M Favreau

The author has 25 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 College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY

Most commented posts

  1. Information Displays and Message Centers — 10 comments

Author's posts

Video page overhaul nearly complete

Video ThumbnailVideo page overhaul

We just completed a major video pages overhaul that results in the removal of one page and an attempt at a table of contents (TOC) that made a mess of the whole remaining page.

We did find a TOC generator plug-in that we will attempt to use on another day.

The move is the first step intended at simplifying the site. With so many videos from so many manufacturers and over 1,000 symbols and indicators, the site has become quite unwieldy and likely difficult to navigate for the average user. We hope over time to make the site far more user friendly.

The video page consists of links to some 200+ videos intended to help drivers overcome issues created by dead key fob batteries, including getting into and starting the car and replacing the battery in the fob.

You can see the overhauled video page here. Watch for a TOC in the near future!

——————————————————————-

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.

These posts are 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.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow.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.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/video-page-overhaul-nearly-complete/

Why the alarm sounds when you unlock a keyless start car with its mechanical key!

Dead fob iconUnlock a Keyless Start Car

For reasons we could not initially fathom, when we would unlock a keyless start car with its own mechanical key would set off the alarm. We have some 150 videos on our YouTube channel that attest to this. Ultimately we would warn that the alarm may go off, we’ve come to realize that we do this too late in the videos, leaving drivers “alarmed” themselves!

We wondered why for years and realized why some year later but did not share that information with you.

We’ll correct that here and begin a broader correction on YouTube. So here we go…

The reason the alarm sounds is that the physical key is and remains too easily copy. When they were first introduced, a clay mold would have been needed but, since the introduction of 3D printing, all that is needed is an electronic scan of a key and an unscrupulous person could get inside and steal anything valuable.

The alarm turns off when the fob is recognized while using the back up start method. The car then knows that the mechanical key is not a copy. Only the presence of the electronics in the fob guarantees that the use of the mechanical key is done so by the owner of the vehicle itself.

Setting off the alarm is disconcerting at best and suggests we should have been more judicious in our videos when passing along the possibility of the alarm sounding. Meaning we should warn our viewers of the possibility at the start of each video!

We are considered re-doing every video in our collection, but won’t. It would actually hurt the channel, as each video’s views would be lost. What we will do is offer a warning in each write-up and hopefully help avoid scaring the living daylights out of you…

Our YouTube channel is here and our video page is here.

——————————————————————-

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.

These posts are 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.

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.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/why-the-alarm-sounds-when-you-unlock-a-keyless-start-car-with-its-mechanical-key/

A brand new tech shows up in the Hyundai dashboard symbols update

Hyundai logoHyundai dashboard symbols update

FCEV, ESC, ISLA, N launch — these are all bits and pieces of the 11 new entries from our latest Hyundai dashboard symbols update. However, another stands out as a brand new self-driving technology.

First, we’ll explain the other additions already noted. FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is an acronym now added to HEV (Hydrogen EV), both describing Hyundai‘s use of fuel cells. A new one was not needed.

ESC, or Electronic Stability Control is another way to say VSC or Vehicle Stability Control. Happily, Hyundai only uses the one.

ISLA is Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, an existing tech that Hyundai has just adopted.

N Launch belongs to Hyundai‘s N-line of Ionic EVs, which gives the cars a kick from a dead start. It sounds like fun — if you’re on a race track! But Lane Following Assist (LFA) is the one we want to highlight.

Lane following assist greenLane following assist in grayLane following assist in whiteLane Following

LFA is a system helps detect lane markings and/or a vehicle ahead on the road, and helps center the vehicle in the lane. It is essentially a light duty self driving system that is a step above lane keeping and behind hands free driving. In fact, the driver gets a hands-off warning and if he or she still does not have their hands on the steering wheel lane following assist is automatically canceled.

In use, if the vehicle ahead and/or both lane markings are detected and the vehicle speed is below 120 mph (200 km/h), the green indicator light is seen. Gray indicates that the lane markings are not detected or the vehicle is above speed. It appears in white when the system is cancelled.

The Hyundai owners manual goes on for several pages describing how to set up and use the system. We wonder if anyone will bother…

You can see it and the other 80+ symbols on our Hyundai symbols page here.

——————————————————————-

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.

These posts are 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.

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.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/a-brand-new-tech-shows-up-in-the-hyundai-dashboard-symbols-update/

Speed limiter page gets new entry

Speed limiter page

In the process of finalizing the update of the Hyundai symbols page, the speed limiter page got a new entry. The page now hosts 12 different indicators, all describing the same type of system

Hyundai calls their system Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA). We already had an Intelligent Speed Limiter entry on the page.

Speed limit assistThis latest 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.

Adaptive speed limiter offASL Indicator SymbolSpeed limiterOther entries look like those to the right and the scale is important. While the sign will be seen on the information screen inside a much larger image, the smaller ones here would appear within the area around the instruments, where other warning lights reside. Space is more “limited”.

The page can be seen here.

——————————————————————-

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.

These posts are 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.

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.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/speed-limiter-page-gets-new-entry/

New entry to our Acronym Page

Acronym Page Update

We added a new set of indicators for a new system called Lane Following Assist (LFA). This resulted in a new entry to our acronym page.

Sometimes, a symbol or indicator seen on an instrument panel and hosted here on the site is in the form of a three or four letter Acronym or Abbreviation, as with the example. Auto manufacturers assume that any given driver knows exactly what these acronyms stand for.

ESC Sport indicator

This is almost never the case. The example to the right, ESC plus the word SPORT, is a new image we made to accommodate a new Hyundai warning light we had to make at the same time as the new Lane Following Assist post that was added.

So when we set up DashboardSymbols.com, one of the very first things we did was add a page of acronyms and the translations as a useful resource for drivers. Further, if the acronym is hosted as a separate entry, we provide a link to it.

The acronym page currently hosts some 230 acronyms, including LFA. The page is here.

——————————————————————-

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.

These posts are 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.

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.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/new-entry-to-our-acronym-page/

Lane Following Assist indicators

Lane Following Assist

Lane following assist greenLane following assist in grayLane following assist in whiteThese are Lane Following Assist (LFA) indicator symbols. The system helps detect lane markings and/or a vehicle ahead on the road, and helps center the vehicle in the lane.

  • 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!

This is essentially a light duty self driving system that is a step above lane keeping and behind hands free driving. In fact, the driver gets a hands-off warning and if he or she still does not have their hands on the steering wheel lane following assist is automatically canceled.

In use, if the vehicle ahead and/or both lane markings are detected and the vehicle speed is below 120 mph (200 km/h), the green indicator light is seen. Seen in gray indicates that the lane markings are not detected or the vehicle is above speed. It appears in white when the system is cancelled.

——————————————————————-

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.

These posts are 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.

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.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/lane-following-assist-indicators/

Collision warning system and malfunction indicators page now hosts 29 images

Collision warning system

By virtue of an Emergency Steering Warning Light indicator from Hyundai, our collision warning system and malfunction indicators page now hosts 29 images!

Emergency steering warningThe Emergency Steering Warning Light (right), and is part of Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) The system is intended to assist steering to aid in avoiding a collision with an oncoming vehicle from the front or the side or if a pedestrian or other obstacle is detected.

It will be seen in yellow when all or part of FCA is disabled or malfunctioning. It will blink in red when steering assistance is required.

Rear collision warning indicaorAnother recent addition to the page is the Rear Collision Warning indicator (right). While it resembles many of the symbols already seen on this post, it is specifically used to warn of a possible collision from behind. The difference is that the car in front is seen in full and the one behind is only partially visible. The roles are reversed in collision warnings with a car in front.

Forward Collision Warning OffAutomatic emergency brakingAuto Braking Indicator SymbolThe number 29 is ultimately the result of manufacturers designing their own images, at times to depict the type of vehicle, SUV, truck, or sedan, or simply choosing different methods to depict when something is turned off. The three to the right all indicate that the system is off!

You can see them all here.

——————————————————————-

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.

These posts are 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.

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.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/collision-warning-system-and-malfunction-indicators-page-now-hosts-29-images/