Marc Favreau

Common Auto Warning Lights

Every day, thousands of drivers are faced with a warning light that they may not recognize. Knowing what to do is important and not knowing can cost you money.

What follows are short explanations for twenty one of the most searched auto warning lights or symbols. If you see one of these on your dashboard or instrument panel, we’ll tell you what you can do and need to do. Follow the links for more.

• NOTE: If you don’t find your light, there are many more. Click here for the FULL list!

Brake Trouble Indicator

This symbol is a Brake Trouble Indicator symbol. They could indicate a serious problem with the brakes. However, the light will also be on when the hand, or emergency, brake is engaged.

So, if you are sure the hand brake, or emergency, brake is released, bring your vehicle to a stop as soon as possible and contact your dealer. To continue driving could well be dangerous!

For more, including the Canadian version of the symbol, click here.

Parking Brake Indicator

This symbol is a Parking Brake Indicator. There are a number of considerations. The symbol to the right simply indicates that the parking, or emergency brake is engaged. Be sure to disengage the parking or emergency brake before driving.

There are similar images, so to learn more, click here.

Oil Warning Light

One of the first idiot lights, this warning light features an old-school oil can. It is the Oil Level or Oil Pressure warning lights or symbol. A wavy line below the oil can indicates the oil level is low. Without the wavy line, your engine is telling you that the oil pressure is low.

Either way, check your oil! Right away! And for more information and more versions of the symbol, click here.

Check Engine Light

There are several versions of the dreaded Check Engine Light, and this one is the most common. It is one of the oldest of the symbols that you may see. The word “Check” may appear inside the image, or below, or not at all.

The image is that of an older style engine seen from the side. It includes a fan blade on its front and an air cleaner mounted on the top. This engine arrangement is rarely seen in modern automobiles and hasn’t been seen in decades and is thus unfamiliar to younger drivers.

The possible reasons for it coming on number in the hundreds and only your dealer or authorized service center can properly address them. However, remember that a loose or missing gas cap will cause the light to come on. This is the only solution available to the average driver, so do check that the gas cap is installed and properly tightened (make sure it clicks at least once).

Important! If other symbols are also active, note that the Check Engine is your first concern. In some cases, other systems in the car may be shut down until the reason the Check Engine light is active is addressed, and the symbols associated with those symbols may be activated. Be sure to check our Multiple Symbols page for more information.

And for more information on the Check Engine light, click here.

Temperature Indicator

One of the original idiot lights, at least in red, this is the Temperature Warning light or symbol. In red, it indicates quite simply that the engine temperature is too high. If you see this light, your vehicle should be stopped and the engine turned off as quickly as possible. Turning on the heater to the highest setting will remove some of the heat as well. Contact your dealer or authorized service center as soon as possible.

For more information including a blue version of the symbol, click here.

Master Warning Light

This is the Master Warning Light symbol, in red. If this light is on, there will likely be text displayed as well on the instrument panel, or another warning light. Look for text in particular. It could very well point out something as serious as low oil pressure. However, despite the serious look to the symbol, it is generally associated with simple reminders such as a door ajar or that it is time to change the oil.

For more information, including the meaning of a yellow/amber version, click here.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System Indicator

This is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) or Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) warning light symbol. It is also used as Flat Tire Monitor (FTM), which seems redundant. The tell-tale comes on when the inflation on one of the tires is reduced about 25% or more. In most cases, that will be about eight pounds. This is easily the most misunderstood symbol you will ever see on your instrument panel.

So, first, check your tire pressures! But to truly understand this warning light, click here! There is so much more to know.

Slip or Stability Control Indicator Symbol

The image of a car with squiggly or wavy lines behind it is the Slip Indicator symbol. When a vehicle detects slippery conditions, its stability or traction control system is activated. The light will flash, irregularly in some vehicles, indicating that the system is doing its work, helping to keep the vehicle in control.

Again, it will flash when its doing its job, despite the look of a skidding car! So, to fully understand this warning light and related lights that may indicate a system fault, click here.

Reduced Engine Power Indicator

This is a Reduced Engine Power Indicator. Only a handful of manufacturers use this light, which comes on automatically with a reduction in the vehicle’s performance. Given what is likely an obvious reduction in power and acceleration, the symbol itself becomes redundant. The image is the same one used for the Check Engine Light above, with the added arrow pointing down.

The fault is likely in an electronic system, and one vehicle maker suggests stopping the vehicle and restarting it after 10 seconds. This may reset the system and thus resolve the issue. If this does not work, see your dealer or authorized service center as soon as possible.

For more information, click here.

ESP/BAS

This combined system warning indicator covers the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and the Brake Assist System (BAS). These systems work together, and a fault in either, or both, will cause the light to come on. If it remains on, see your dealer or authorized service center.

Primarily, the light indicates a problem with one or both systems, so click here to learn more.

Key Fob Indicator

This is the primary Key Fob Indicator. A number of picture symbols are used to indicate the presence of an electronic key in a push button or, ironically, keyless start, or keyless ignition, vehicle. These systems will allow a vehicle to be started only when an electronic key is present in, and detected by, the vehicle.

A flashing red Electronic Key symbol shown indicates that the key is not detected. If the Key is in the vehicle, its internal battery is likely dead and needs to be replaced. The same Electronic Key symbol shown in green indicates that the key is found and the vehicle can be started.

There are many, many more versions of this warning light and many more warning lights that use the image of a key. So please click here to learn more.

Intelligent Brake Assist Off Indicator

This is an Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) Off Indicator symbol. IBA uses lasers to identify approaching obstacles and applies the brakes accordingly. The light comes on when the IBA switch is turned off. If the light comes on while the system is on, it is either unavailable temporarily or is malfunctioning. Check that the laser sensor is clean, when it is safe to do so.

To learn more, click here.

Cruise Control Indicator

Cruise Control Indicator light in text form. This light is illuminated when the cruise control is engaged. It is perfectly straightforward, as opposed to the two image symbols below that are now often used in its place.

To learn more and see more symbols related to the Cruise Control system, click here.

Loose Gas Cap

This is the most common Check Gas Cap Indicator symbol. It is one of the few things the average driver can do anything about. The image, which is really half of a car with an unscrewed gas cap, can look like a water pitcher with a screw or bolt next to it.

Don’t ignore the light! A loose gas cap will lead to the Check Engine Light. For more, click here.

Park Assist Symbol

These are Park Assist Indicator symbols. The green version will be visible when the system is activated and working. The manufacturer may refer to this as Intuitive Parking Assistance, Park Distance Control (PDC), etc. It looks like a sail with lines radiating from it!

To learn more or if its in yellow amber, click here.

Washer fluid

This is a Low Windshield Washer Fluid Indicator symbol. Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir as soon as possible. The image actually resembles an open hand-held fan, which is supposed to be the windshield. The dashed lines represent two steams of water.

To help find what and where to refill, the same image will be found on the reservoir’s cover under the hood.

But, do not confuse this light with others you can find by clicking here.

AFS Off

The acronyms AFS and AFLS in these symbols or indicators stand for Adaptive Front-lighting System or Adaptive Front Lighting System. The difference is very subtle and is the result of a manufacturer choice only.

If it includes the word OFF, it indicates that the system has been turned off with an available switch. Look for the switch, which may have been tripped accidently. It may also be tucked nearly under the dashboard in a Toyota or Lexus.

You may have a similar image. Click here to find out.

Tail Light Out Indicator

This symbol is a Tail Light Indicator symbols. The replacement of a light bulb or two will restore order. Some manufacturers add a text message in the instrument panel noting exactly which light is out. The symbol is often described as eyelashes coming out of the back of a car!

For more, including the Stop Light version, click here.

High Beam Indicator

This symbol is the High Beam On indicator. The light is active only when the high beams are active (turned on) and has been a standard in vehicles for decades. It is one of only a select few presented in a blue color.

Fog lamp

This the Fog Lamp Indicator symbol. The indicator in green is active only when the fog lamps are activated. The wavy or squiggly line crossing straight ones is meant to indicate light passing through the fog.

Learn more by clicking here.

Headlamp Out Indicator

These are Headlamp Out Indicator symbols. One or more of the headlamp bulbs is burned out or malfunctioning. This is another symbol that may utilize an exclamation point, which always indicates a problem, even if its in the green color. Another symbol in yellow/amber only is an alternative Lamp Out indicator.

Learn more by clicking here.

Vehicles examined include those from Acura, Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Fisker, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes, Mercury, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Saab, Saturn, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Tesla, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, and Volvo.

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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.

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