Marc 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

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  1. Information Displays and Message Centers — 10 comments

Author's posts

Mitsubishi renames regenerative braking

Mitsubishi LogoRegenerative braking

For 2025, the Mitsubishi Outlander is now a plug-in hybrid, which includes regenerative braking. Unfortunately, that name wasn’t good enough for the company, so it came up with the unbelievably cumbersome Innovative Pedal Operation.

The name is meaningless until the it is described in the manual. “When the Innovative Pedal Operation Mode is activated, the regenerative brake is enhanced and the driver can adjust the vehicle speed by only depressing or returning the accelerator pedal. When you release (take your foot off) the accelerator pedal, the vehicle slows down smoothly without depressing the brake pedal.”

Regenerative brake is in the description! There was simply no need for a new system name. How innovative is the company being when its finally making use of 20 year old technology??

Innovative pedal modeThe name serves only to puff up Mitsubishi‘s chest and to confuse its customers. And truly, does the image to the right, the indicator they’ve chosen, actually suggest regenerative braking? Its difficult to even see an accelerator pedal.

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.

Our regenerative braking page, including Mitsubishi‘s addition, is here.

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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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/12/mitsubishi-renames-regenerative-braking/

Surprising updates made to the Mitsubishi back up entry and start page

Mitsubishi LogoMitsubishi back up entry and start

A review of 2024 and 2025 models finds several important changes to the Mitsubishi back up entry and start pages. When we first built the page, we saw that newer push button start models were using the simply press the start/stop button with the back of the fob as the back up start method. We then assumed that all Mitsubishi models would transition to this method.

While back up entry processes remain the same, we were flat out wrong about the back up start processes. Back entry and start processes are made necessary by the batteries in key fobs dying.

Glove box slotMitsubishi Mirage startWhile new Outlander models have indeed transitioned to the push the button method, current RVR and Mirage models continue to use a slot. The slot for the RVR is in the glove box, while the slot for Mirage models is in front of the center console.

In all cases, once the fobs are placed in the slot, press the Start/Stop button while stepping on the brake as normal.

Smart Keys or Intelligent Keys, or Access Keys, or FAST keys in Mitsubishi‘s case — 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 had tried to warn you. These back up options are there to overcome a dead key fob battery.

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 your key fob stops working. The instructions for getting into and starting most keyless start cars can be found on our pages — without roadside assistance.

You can see the Mitsubishi back up entry page here and the back up start page here.

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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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/12/surprising-updates-made-to-the-mitsubishi-back-up-entry-and-start-page/

Our Genesis dashboard symbols page has been given the color order treatment

Genesis logoGenesis dashboard symbols

Our Genesis dashboard symbols page has now been re-aligned by color. This makes 32 pages transformed to reflect the new color ordering, including our primary pictographic symbols page. We are now well passed the half way mark to re-ordering all our manufacturer symbols pages, of which there are 49 on the site.

The Genesis page was updated for 2024 several months ago before we made the decision to re-arrange the symbols by color. The page holds over 70 entries, relatively light compared to several other manufacturers.

The re-ordering has red symbols up first, followed by more red symbols with yellow/amber/orange (depending on how you see the color!) options, strictly yellow/amber/orange symbols, then blue and green symbols and finally white and gray scale symbols.

Ordering the page by color provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information on a new symbol.

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.

Our page covering Genesis indicators, with over 70 entries, can be seen here.

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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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/12/our-genesis-dashboard-symbols-page-has-been-given-the-color-order-treatment/

Ford symbols page update is finished at last

Ford logoFord symbols

The Ford symbols page update, which we have been working on for several weeks, is at last finished. Why so long? Well, we added a full 75 entries to the page, of which 60 were brand new and needed to be created!

There are now over 150 symbols and indicators on the page.

GOAT Rock Crawl Raptor modeThe worst offenders included G.O.A.T. Mode, courtesy of the new Bronco models, which added a full 14 entries alone! We’ll add one example and a link to the page that needed to be created to accommodate them. G.O.A.T. stands for Goes Over Any-type of Terrain, not wins the most Super Bowls….

Launch control activeSport steering modeSport exhaust modePolice pursuit modeOther “offenders” include Launch Control, from ICE-powered Mustangs with eight new entries; steering and exhaust modes, four each; and Police interceptor modes, also with four new symbols.

One wonders if these modes will be available to just anyone if the vehicle ends up in civilian hands.

There’s no end in sight, and we need to add that many of the symbols, particularly of the drive mode variety, are very similar to others already used by the company and we strongly encourage them to recycle existing symbols and not add more burden to their drivers.

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.

Our page covering Ford indicators, and its 155 entries, can be seen here.

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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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/12/ford-symbols-page-update-is-finished-at-last/

Police Interceptor mode indicators

Police Interceptor

These next symbols are Police Interceptor Mode indicators. They are found in Ford Explorer models outfitted as police interceptors. It is unclear if these features will remain available if or when an interceptor finds a second life in private hands.

  • Before continuing, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, read on below.
  • Otherwise, you can return to our main Pictographic Symbols page and scan again!

Police pursuit mode bluePolice pursuit modeFirst up are Pursuit Mode indicators. The system is a temporary driving enhancement, indicated by the blue telltale, that senses the driver is demanding high performance from the vehicle. The transmission holds lower gears and the engine holds higher engine speeds longer than normal driving. The mode terminates when high performance is no longer demanded. Manual Pursuit mode can be selected and is indicated by the white telltale. The symbol is that of a police shield with a vehicle inside with lines flowing from the back to suggest speed.

Police perimeter alert indicatorSecond is a Police Perimeter Alert System indicator. The system uses sensors near the rear bumper of the vehicle to detect and monitor moving objects near the vehicle. Detected pedestrians, vehicles and bicycles appear as moving dots on a radar map displayed on the instrument cluster which will turn red if the system identifies a potential threat. When approaching objects cross the selected perimeter, an alert sounds, the rear view camera may show potential threats on the center display and the windows may roll up and the doors lock automatically. The symbol looks like a car seen from above with a dotted line around from the back to the sides.

Police engine idle featureFinally we have a Police Engine Idle Mode indicator. This mode allows a driver to leave the engine running when the key is removed from the ignition. Pressing the police idle button on the instrument panel allows the ignition to be switched off and the key removed. The power window switches turn off and the interior liftgate unlock button is disabled. The indicator appears as a police shield or badge with a mechanical key inside.

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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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/12/police-interceptor-mode-indicators/

Launch control indicators

Launch control

The symbols below are Launch Control Indicator symbols. They come courtesy of the Ford Motor Co. and specifically late model Mustangs. Launch Control are part of Track Apps™, which are intended for track use only. The manual notes that pre-collision assist system turns off when using Track apps or when the stability control system is switched off. The symbols come in two groups.

  • Before continuing, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, read on below.
  • Otherwise, you can return to our main Pictographic Symbols page and scan again!

Launch control not ready TC offLaunch control ready TC offLaunch control active TC offIf traction control is turned off, the letters RPM appear in all three indicators. The first, with the line drawn through it, says the system is not ready. The second indicates the system is ready to use. And the third, with exhaust exiting the angled rocket, says it is ready to launch and turns green.

Launch control ready Launch control not readyLaunch control activeThe next group essentially say the same thing in the same order. The symbols are missing the RPM indication, which means that Traction Control has been left on. Again, when ready the symbol turns green.

Drift brake indicatorTwo additional symbols are associated with Launch Control. The first is a Drift Brake symbol. This option tires allows drift maneuvers, meaning that the rear brakes can be locked up in a turn. Ford warns that these maneuvers can lead to increased tire wear. Surely an understatement…

Over speed warningThe second is an Over Speed Warning indicator. It illuminates if the vehicle speed exceeds the over speed threshold. Its not clear how this threshold is established.

In use, Launch control temporarily holds the engine RPM at a set point and maximizes traction to the wheels for a more aggressive start. The indicator illuminates white in the instrument cluster when launch control is ready and turns green when the tachometer settles at a selected RPM.

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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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/12/launch-control-indicators/

The Opel dashboard symbols page is now ordered by color

Opel-LogoOpel dashboard symbols

Our Opel dashboard symbols page has now been re-aligned by color. This makes 31 pages transformed to reflect the new color ordering, including our primary pictographic symbols page. We are now well passed the half way mark to re-ordering all our manufacturer symbols pages. There are 49 on the site.

The re-ordering has red symbols up first, followed by yellow/amber/orange symbols (depending on how you see the color!), and finally blue and green symbols and finally to black, white and gray scale indicators.

We have not yet updated the page as we remain buried in the Ford update. We have this far added 57 new symbols with another dozen in process. Fifty seven!!

Even as it is not yet updated, the Opel page already has nearly 130 entries!

Ordering the page by color provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information on a new symbol.

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.

Our page covering Opel indicators, and the nearly 130 entries, 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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/12/the-opel-dashboard-symbols-page-is-now-ordered-by-color/