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

Rivian Symbols Page Debuts

Rivian Symbols

Rivian logoWe have now added a Rivian symbols page covering the R1T pick up and the R1S SUV models. We had to modify system fault, auto braking, and hood and tailgate ajar indicators to look like the company’s models. However, while the rest of the warning lights and indicators are old standards, there is a new set that stand out.

EV battery lowEV battery very lowEV battery drainedWe had to add a whole new set of charge indicators (left) to our High Voltage Battery Charge Indicators page. They are a simple elongated oval with a small amount of fill.

In yellow/amber/orange, the light warns that the charge is low. The next light, in red and with less fill, warns that the charge is very low. The final light, also in red, adds an exclamation point to pretty much tell its driver he’s out of “gas”.

Why an already existing set of indicators wasn’t used we’ll never know…

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.

See the complete set of Rivian warning lights and symbols 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 is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/08/rivian-symbols-page-debuts/

Replacing a Standard Toyota Key Battery

Toyota Key Battery

Toyota remoteMy was having some trouble with his Toyota remote and actually thought it would need to be replaced. So rather than leave him to spend what’s likely a lot of money, we went ahead and opened it up. We did a video as well that you can see here.

There is a gap upper corner that is your way in. A small screwdriver will do the trick.

Note right away that the buttons are loose and keeping the button side down would be helpful. Also, the buttons only fit in one spot each, so not to worry.

The battery is found in a case inside the key and it too needs to be separated. Check out the video for instructions and have a CR 2016 battery on hand. There is a circuit board inside that is loose and also goes in just one way.

See more videos for Toyota keys and fob battery replacements here.

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 had tried to warn you.

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.

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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 is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/08/replacing-a-standard-toyota-key-battery/

Fisker Customers Get the Pages They Need

Fisker logoHelp for Fisker Customers

A good 10 years ago, we put up a dead key fob page for Fisker Karma buyers. The Karma not so famously featured a key hole on the passenger door!

The car and the company went nowhere, so we took the page down a few years later.

Well, the company resurrected itself and released the Ocean, a full electric SUV. Problems with the car and problems with sales led to a shocking sell-off of the cars Fisker Oceanat bargain basement prices and a company close to dissolution. From here it sure looks like its customers are soon to be abandoned, if they haven’t already been.

Well, we decided to give them at least a little help, returning the dead fob page while adding the back up process to the Ocean, and a symbols page.

Since the Karma is an electric like the Chevrolet Volt is an electric — that is with a gas engine to charge the battery on long trips — the page includes warning lights like a check engine light, an oil pressure light and engine overheat light. They don’t seem to fit, but actually do.

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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 is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/08/fisker-customers-get-the-pages-they-need/

New Honda and Acura EVs Require New Dashboard Symbols for a Very Surprising Reason

Honda logoNew Dashboard Symbols

The introduction of the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX electric vehicles in 2024 required us to add several new dashboard symbols to the manufacturer’s respective pages. Well, actually, new old symbols.

This is because we already had the symbols in play — on pages for General Motors GM logo(GM) models!

What’s happened is that Honda and GM jointly developed the EVs, a collaboration that began in 2013, which was focused on hydrogen fuel. That shifted as EVs rose to prominence and in essence, GM‘s drivetrain and control systems won out. And the proof is in the owner’s manuals!

The cover pages of the Honda and Acura models are properly identified. Then comes page one…

Tables of Contents

Below in order are the table of contents for a Chevrolet Malibu (left) and the Honda Pilot (right). And then below left is the TOC for the Honda Prologue.

Chevrolet Malibu TOCThey’re difficult to read here, but the styles are clear, which is the point. The contents of the Prologue and ZDX manuals follow the GM style of presentation to the letter right on through the entire manual! Every other Honda or Acura manual for 15 years+ has a TOC and structure just like the Pilot.

Honda Pilot TOCAnd the result is the addition of at least a dozen new (at least to Honda!) symbols and telltales that fall right out of the GM playbook.

The majority of the additions are of course related to the fact that the vehicles are fully electric. So all of the resulting indicators and warnings related  to the high voltage system are found.

Honda Proloque TOCBut beyond this, many of the driver support system indicators, like lane keeping and pedestrian avoidance are in the GM style.

Remember that auto manufacturers are given great leeway in the way they present warning symbols and indicators. Only a few are identical from one manufacturer to another. Most of the time symbols end up looking similar but differ enough for us to address here on this site. Hence the fact that we host over 1,000 of them 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.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/08/new-honda-and-acura-evs-require-new-dashboard-symbols-for-a-very-surprising-reason/

2024 Buick Dashboard Symbols Update Comes with a Shock

Buick logoBuick Dashboard Symbols

We just finished updating our Buick Dashboard Symbols page, or at least we tried.

Generally, updating a manufacturer’s symbols page results in the addition of at least a half a dozen new symbols. This site now hosts over 1,000 symbols and telltales found on instrument panels.

In this case, and despite the introduction of a new model in 2024, the company is not using any new symbols! This is quite literally a first.

It also means that Buick models are not using any new systems in their vehicles. We are likely to get piled on in 2025!

Locked Out?

Envista door handleThat new model, the Envista, however, does introduce a new door handle with a new way to hide the key hole (right). You can find out how to get inside if the battery in the key fob dies here at this link.

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 had tried to warn you.

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.

——————————————————————-

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/2024/08/2024-buick-dashboard-symbols-update-brings-a-surprise/

Evasive Maneuver Warning Indicator

Evasive Maneuver

Evasive maneuver warningThis is an Evasive Maneuver Warning or Evasive Steering Assistance (ESA) indicator symbol.  Working with a vehicle’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, ESA adds technical assistance to steering to aid in avoiding a collision. It effectively enhances a driver’s reflexes by adding extra steering torque and uses data from the vehicle’s front-mounted camera and radar sensors to calculate a safe path around the obstacle.

  • Before continuing, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
  • Otherwise, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

Overall benefits of the system are to help the driver avoid frontal collisions with other objects, guiding the driver to keep a safe path even after swerving, reducing the risk of losing control during an emergency maneuver and initiating braking to reduce the overall severity of a crash.

With all this said, we certainly suggest examining the symbol after the maneuver is completed. Meaning, this light, much like stability control lights, can itself be a distraction at a time when the vehicle needs the driver’s full attention.

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.

——————————————————————-

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/2024/08/evasive-maneuver-warning-indicator/

Position Lights Indicators

Position Lights

Position lights onPosition lights failureThese are Position Lights Indicator symbols. Position lights exist solely to help a vehicle get noticed. As such they are very similar to parking lights and can be versatile enough to perform either function.

  • Before continuing, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
  • Otherwise, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

As they are generally low-intensity lamps, position lights are not as bright as parking or daytime lights. They are found at the front and rear of the vehicle. The versatility of modern LED lamps make it possible for them to perform multiple functions.

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.

——————————————————————-

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/2024/08/position-lights-indicators/