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
Max Power This is a Max Power Mode Indicator symbol. It belongs to the GMC Sienna electric vehicle (EV), which, when used, adjusts the acceleration pedal “map”. The symbol is a drawing that looks like Thor’s hammer with a lightning bolt inside. Before continuing, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, read on …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/max-power-mode-indicator/
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/a-warmer-week-pushes-range-boost/
Light brightness The Soft Lights Foundation reported recently that headlight brightness is —hopefully — to get some amount of attention from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As the organization notes, it’s only a suggestion, but it’s a start. We’ve covered this topic twice, here and here. This comes in the form of an …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/latest-appropriations-bill-shines-a-light-on-headlight-brightness/
Chinese autos CNN reports that Donald Trump has hinted at a path to Chinese auto makers selling vehicles in the US. The country has access to Canada’s auto market but US tariffs and national security concerns are currently major impediments. But, in a speech in January at the Economic Club of Detroit, he said “If …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/chinese-auto-makers-in-the-us-market-the-door-has-been-cracked-open/
Accidentally activated I accidentally activated Lane Keeping Assist in the Kia Niro a few days ago, inadvertently hitting the button on the steering wheel shown to the right. I soon began to feel the steering wheel resist my attempted movements. Again, I had hit the button inadvertently and had no idea what was going on …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/what-to-do-if-a-system-is-accidentally-activated/
King Crab GMC‘s Hummer gave us CrabWalk mode, and now adds an enhancement the company calls King Crab mode. In CrabWalk (right), the rear wheels are turned at the same angle as the front wheels, which enables the vehicle to move diagonally. Also, the mode can be engaged at speeds less than 2 km/h (1.2 …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/theres-a-new-king-crab-in-town/
Auto start/stop The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a new rule finalized in February 2026 that eliminates all “off-cycle credits”, which includes credits tied to auto stop/start systems. But it’s important that the system in question is properly understood. Off-cycle credits First a word on off-cycle credits. These are systems innovative, energy-saving technologies …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/epa-ends-credits-for-auto-start-stop-systems-too-many-reports-feature-the-wrong-system/
A warmer week pushes range boost
Range boosted A single week with high temperatures at or near 40 F has left its mark on the Kia Niro electric vehicle (EV) with 20 mile range boost. This week’s charge has us back at 230 miles, extrapolated from the 90% charge result shown below right. This is the same number seen for most …
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