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
These are Tow or Haul Mode and Fault Indicator symbols. If your vehicle is equipped with Tow Mode, one of these lights will be lit when the mode is selected. The symbol may be in text, using the word TOW and or HAUL, or as an image of one of several forms of a trailer. In green or blue, the indicators mean that Tow Mode is active.
In more advanced models, the second image above with the trailer is used to indicate that a Trailer Merge Assist system has been activated. It is tied directly to the vehicle’s blind spot monitoring system. Click the link for more.
The image with arrows above the trailer is no more than a Trailer Connected indicator. It illuminates when a trailer is connected and will go out when it is disconnected. The same is true of the image of the trailer hitch ball and the trailer, both shown in green. The color makes more sense too. There’s little need for a warning color when simply noting something normal. The final image looks like a 19th century covered wagon.
If any of these illuminate unexpectedly, the system has likely been switched on accidently. Find the proper switch to turn it off, or, lacking a switch, check with a service center.
These versions however, are trailering fault warnings. The exclamation point in the triangle above the trailer in the first image is the give away. If illuminated, check all electrical connections as well as the physical trailer connection(s). Otherwise, the issue may involve the main vehicle’s suspension or stability control systems and a qualified service shop will be needed.
The second has the line through what is the trailer image again set inside the circle and brackets. The latter is the standard image depicting brakes. It indicates that the trailer’s brakes are in fact disconnected. It is likely an electronic system and thus a wiring issue.
The third is simply seen in white. Make the same checks as above.
Some vehicles offer Sway Control for use while towing, a system that works in in conjunction with the Stability Control System. And like that system, the Sway Control Indicator will flash when sway is detected and being corrected.
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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.
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
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/11/tow-mode-indicator/
These are All-wheel Drive (AWD) Disabled Indicator symbols. The lights, all shown in yellow/amber, flash when the AWD system is disabled temporarily and remains on when there is a malfunction in the system. The open circles indicate that the AWD system has been disconnected.
Note that the first symbol is used in New Zealand and Australia to indicate only that the 4-wheel Drive system has been engaged, and is not used to indicate a problem. Click here for more.
All the symbols, except the text version, include a stick figure image meant to look like four wheels with the front wheels turned to the right. The symbols may flash if the vehicle is fitted with tires of differing diameters, a spare tire has been mounted, or if the air pressure in any of the tires drops dramatically. The AWD system will also be unavailable if the anti-lock brake system warning light is on or if the rear differential fluid is overheating. In the latter case, the light will go out when the differential fluid cools.
The AWD system will be unavailable, but the main front or wheel drive wheels will operate normally. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light will also very likely be lit, if the vehicle is equipped with the system.
If a wrench (or spanner) or exclamation point is shown alongside the caricature of a vehicle’s undercarriage, it indicates a fault and nothing else, as does the text message asking for service. Malfunctions may be indicated by the system before a real problem is obvious, but don’t waste time. See your dealer or authorized service center soon, as AWD repairs are expensive and continued use will increase the likelihood of serious damage.
These text symbols are found in an Electric Vehicle (EV) and become an excuse to add the word electric to the AWD or 4WD acronyms. The first light is yellow/amber when the electric four-wheel drive (e4WD) system is limited, and will turn off when the system is working normally. If this light is red, there is likely a malfunction. But as with all electronic systems, restart the vehicle to see if the system resets.
The text symbols to the right are very much related. Click here for additional information.
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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.
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
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/11/all-wheel-drive-disabled-indicator/
These are Reduced Engine Power Indicator symbols. Only a handful of manufacturers use these lights, 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 would seem to be redundant.
The fault is likely in an electronic system, and one vehicle maker suggests stopping the vehicle and restarting it after 10 seconds. Like rebooting a computer, or exactly like rebooting a computer. 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.
The picture symbol, in essence, is an engine seen from the side, is the same as the check engine light with a down pointing arrow to indicate that the power is reduced.
So don’t confuse the indicator with these, despite the lighting bolts and arrows. Learn more about 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.
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.
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
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/11/reduced-engine-power-light/
All these are variations of an Automatic Transmission (A/T) Oil Temperature Indicator symbols. Generally seen in red, it means exactly what it says, that the oil temperature in the transmission is too high, which risks transmission failure. Some manufacturers show the symbol as yellow/amber. Regardless of color, take the symbol seriously and allow the vehicle’s transmission to at least cool down.
This indicator is generally in use only in 4- or all-wheel drive vehicles with towing packages. Pull over and allow the transmission to cool down or there is a risk of failure. There are still more symbols, below…
A picture symbol may also be used. It is a ‘bumpy ring’ with a thermometer symbol inside it. The ring is used to represent a transmission in a number of instances. It may be seen in red or yellow/amber. Again, pull over and allow the transmission to cool down or there is a risk of failure.
Do not confuse the third image with these symbols to the right. Click here or here, left to right, for more.
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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.
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
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/11/transmission-oil-temperature-indicator/
This is an Auto Brake Hold Indicator symbol. Auto Brake Hold is an advanced system that automatically applies and releases the parking brake when in situations like stop and go traffic. The indicator is on in green when the system is activated and in use.
In an electric vehicle (EV), the Park function is supplied by the brakes. So, when placing the car in Park, it is effectively in Auto Hold mode. To that end, the symbol to the left may be seen, indicating that the vehicle is secure. Note as well that the Park activation button or lever is also used as the vehicle’s emergency brake.
Note that there are other versions you can see here, such as those to the right.
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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.
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
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/11/auto-brake-hold-indicator/
These are High-beam Assistant symbols. The green image indicates that the assistant, which automatically switches the high beams on and off, is active and working properly. The “A” stands for Automatic. The systems detects light from oncoming traffic and lowers the high beams so as not to blind other drivers. It may also be impacted by other bright lights along or near the road.
A similar symbol may be seen in black and white in the information display. In this case, it will be accompanied by a text message noting a problem. Most likely, the system’s sensors are blocked and it is unable to function properly.
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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.
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
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/11/high-beam-assistant-symbol/
This is the Easy Access Indicator symbol. It is found on vehicles with height control features, and the symbol indicates that the car will lower itself, or has been lowered, when the vehicle is turned off for easy access and egress. The image is of a man stepping down, although his head can look like it is caught in a vice. The green color is meant to only to note that the system is active.
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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.
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
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/11/easy-access-indicator-symbol/