Category: Articles & Commentaries

Discussions on topics of interest to drivers concerning things they may not understand about their vehicles as well as articles on the future of the auto industry.

Jeep dashboard symbols update swells the page by 13

Jeep logoJeep dashboard symbols update

The recent electrification of several models meant that our Jeep dashboard symbols update resulted in 13 new images added to the Jeep symbols page.

Among them were the standard fare for electrified vehicles — battery failure warnings, EV system fault warnings, power limitation indicators, etc. What was really interesting was a Battery coolant fluid level lowbrand new warning light, a Traction Battery Coolant Fluid Level Low indicator. The image looks like an extra long battery, complete with plus and minus signs, with a wavy line at the bottom.

Jeep is using a liquid cooling system for its hybrid batteries. And much like a typical internal combustion engine cooling system, this system requires a cooling fluid that may require topping off occasionally.

And rather than make a new page, we added it our Hybrid Battery Overheat page and adjusted the title to include cooling. Its pretty much in the same functional family.

The Overheat and Cooling page is here and you can find Jeep’s dashboard symbols page, and its over 100 entries, here.

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.

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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/2024/09/jeep-dashboard-symbols-update-swells-the-page-by-13/

We just dropped another new Mercedes Benz video

Mercedes_logoMercedes Benz video

We just added a new Mercedes Benz video to our YouTube channel. It is specifically for 2016 and newer models with a dead key fob battery and in many cases a hidden key hole. Models covered are EQB, EQB, GLB, E-Class, EQS, E-Class, Maybach EQS, S-Class, EQE, S-Class, C-Class, AMG, GLC and CLE models.

GLE and GLS SUVs and 2024 and newer G-Class SUVs are covered in a separate video.

All these models use a back up location at the front center console storage area. They vary a bit but tend to be in or near a cup holder.

S-Class-Door-HandleBut the primary reason for this update is to cover getting past two new door handles added since 2022, including the one seen here.

We’ve added the video to our Mercedes Benz video page, which now features ten videos. You can find them all here at this link. The new video can be seen here.

Remember to replace the batteries in your key fobs at the first moment you see a warning on your instrument panel!

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/2024/09/we-just-dropped-another-new-mercedes-benz-video/

BMW dashboard symbols update includes an intriguing new pair of indicators

BMW logoBMW dashboard symbols update

Our latest BMW dashboard symbols update added a number of new indicators, with two in particular that stood out. They are the first of what will very likely be many Intersection Collision Warning symbols industry wide over time.

Intersection collision warning leftIntersection collision warning rightThe intriguing part is that the pair face different directions, pointing to which way the danger is approaching! They are shown here on either side. It remains to be seen if drivers will find them an effective warning mechanism. They are certain to be part of any future self driving software developed by BMW.

Other notable additions include alternate Pedestrian Detection symbols, unnecessary in our opinion, and Manual Speed Limiter indicators.

All in all, there are more than 80 symbols that can be seen on our BMW symbols page here.

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.

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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/2024/09/bmw-dashboard-symbols-update-includes-an-intriguing-new-pair-of-indicators/

Battery charge and warning symbols count on our page now at 14

Battery Charge and Warning Symbols

After a Volvo symbols update, our EV, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Battery Charge and Warning Symbols page now holds 14 images! And it is hardly the most prolific page! This is primarily because the automotive industry lacks discipline — or someone to apply that discipline — and continues the absurdity that is automotive dashboard symbols, telltales and indicators. Our pages now hold well over 1,000 distinct versions!

Hybrid battery holding chargeHybrid battery chargingThe Volvo update added two black and white versions (right), bringing the total to six of the 14. We certainly feel obligated to include them, as a driver needs to know that they are looking at exactly what they see on their instrument panel in order to feel confident about the information being given to them.

And note that the second symbol with the padlock is said to be an indicator that the hybrid battery is holding its charge! Isn’t that what its supposed to do??

Despite calls for uniformity and promises of such, auto manufacturers continue to forge their own paths when designing indicators. The addition of information displays on instrument panels has prompted the new assortment of black and white entries. Fortunately, this usually — but not always — include a text message explaining what the indicator is trying to tell the driver.

We’re pretty comfortable saying that oftentimes these messages are less than helpful.

You can see our EV, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Battery Charge and Warning Symbols 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 is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/08/battery-charge-and-warning-symbols-count-on-our-page-now-at-14/

BMW iX back-up entry adds a surprise

BMW logoiX back-up entry

We got our first look at a BMW iX EV in 2023, and thus our first look at the iX back-up entry process as well. This is needed if and when the battery in the key fob dies.

We wrote it up, but got an important bit wrong!

BMW ix key holeBelow the iX door handle is a small door on the far right that hides the key hole (right). The door is pushed to release and pulled open to reveal the key hole, as you can see. This handle has since spread to the ICE-powered 7-Series and will likely find its way to other models.

We wrongly assumed that, once the key hole was exposed, all a driver would need to do is insert and turn the key to unlock the car. This much is actually true, but in fact, the door handle does not work! The small door itself needs to be pulled to actually open the car! See the gif running below.

BMW iX open

We of course had to modify our BMW page, which you can see here. You’ll also find a link to our BMW video page with an updated iX video.

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/bmw-ix-back-up-entry-adds-a-surprise/

Volvo EV back up start focused on the center console

Volvo logoVolvo EV back up start

Until the 2021 model year, all redesigned keyless start Volvo models used a cup holder as a back up start location. But the Volvo EV back up start location has migrated to the center console.

In the Volvo introduced the company’s first all electric model, the XC40. The C40 (now the EC40) followed in 2022, and now the EX40 hybrid in 2025. As we updated this year, we see that all these EV and Hybrid models use a XC-40 backup locationmark found inside the center console on the bottom and to the front (right).

The mark remains the image of a key with lines radiating from it. Placing the key fob on the mark will allow the car to recognize the fob.

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.

All Volvo back up start locations and procedures can be seen on this page.

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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/volvo-ev-back-up-start-focused-on-the-center-console/

Auto Liftgate Fault Warning

Auto Liftgate

Auto liftgate fault indicatorThis is an Auto Liftgate Fault Warning Indicator symbol. It appears as the back of a car with the liftgate or trunk open and and exclamation point. The letter A is added for no particular reason. The warning light will be seen when there is a fault detected with the auto liftgate, possibly but not limited to one or more of the sensors.

  • 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!

This systems operates the hands-free technology used to automatically open or close the liftgate. This actually can be turned on or off at the instrument panel. When on and you’ve got your hands full, just kick your foot under the license plate to open. Assuming of course that the fault light is not on! The liftgate can also be closed with the same movement.

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/auto-liftgate-fault-warning/