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.

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.

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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/auto-liftgate-fault-warning/

Polestar dashboard symbols update adds 26 new lights!

Polestar logoPolestar Dashboard Symbols Update

Given that the company added two new models, the Polestar 3 and 4, to compliment the Polestar 2, it isn’t a big surprise to find that the 2024 Polestar dashboard symbols update added 26 new symbols to the page. A whole lot of the additions are black and white versions of existing lights. However, there are several frustrating new indicators.

Lane departure warning leftLane departure warning leftFirst up is the addition of a second Lane Departure Indicator that tells the driver he or she is drifting to the left. The default indicator shows a vehicle drifting right, but now it appears there is no confidence in a driver knowing which direction the car is drifting.

Auto high beam indicatorAnother frustration is this version of the Automatic Headlamp Dimmer Indicator, which means that the automated system is on and ready for use! Other black and white indicators are in use in the industry, including one from Polestar, that mean the system is off or unavailable! This means that you’ll need to consult your car’s manual to be sure what the light actually means in your model.

Driver alert indicatorYet another is this Attention Assist Indicator, which in this case means that there is a fault in the system. Again, other manufacturers use virtually the same image simply to indicate to the driver that its time for a break. Once again, consult the your car’s owner manual to determine if it is a fault light, particularly if you have not been driving long.

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.

The Polestar symbols page, now with nearly 80 of them, is 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/polestar-dashboard-symbols-update-adds-26-new-lights/

Yes, your EV has a 12-volt battery too!

EV logoAn EV has a 12-volt battery

I got a panicked call from a friend recently. Her car, which happens to be a Tesla Model Y, was giving her real headaches. In the end, I got to tell her that her EV has a 12-volt battery too.

The symptoms were that it wouldn’t open, it wouldn’t respond to the key card or phone, at least not willingly. Once she got inside, it was difficult to start and began throwing messages at her.

Included in those messages was one that stated that the low voltage battery was failing.

Now as an EV driver, when she saw battery, she immediately thought the worst: that the car’s primary source of power, the battery, was failing. She did not realize that an EV also uses a 12-volt battery to essentially start the car through its electrical system! Hence the panic.

This can happen to any EV from any manufacturer. To all EV drivers, your car also uses a 12-volt battery to get things rolling. The distinction is low-voltage vs high-voltage. What your car relies on for propulsion is a high voltage battery.

Note to manufacturers: most drivers are just that. Drivers. They are not car people and need clearer explanations of failing systems and what they need to do. We’ve harped in this for years…

So, as a driver, if you see a warning about the car’s low-voltage battery, its time for roadside assistance. And its your best option: servicing anything electrical in an electric vehicle is potentially very dangerous.

My friend also asked about having the car jump started. However, the car had not been sitting unused for any length of time, which can create a situation that a jump start will resolve. In here case, the car is several years old and its simply more likely that the battery needs to be replaced. A good roadside service like AAA can make the determination and replace the battery.

However, it turned out that AAA won’t replace the start battery in a Tesla! The driver opted to do it after work hours!

Click here for our list of roadside assistance phone numbers. And if you want to know more about jump starting, see the video we did 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/yes-your-ev-has-a-12-volt-battery-too/

When to call service and not your salesperson!

BMW logoWhen to call service

I wanted to pass along something that happened to me recently, which really pointed out the knowledge gap between salespeople and service personnel, and when to call service!

I was trying out a new electric model, BMW‘s iX, and of course I had to ask about how to get at the key hole in case of the key fob battery dies. I was talking to the salesperson at the time.

Once we determined and demonstrated what the process was, he happened to say that it it was so much easier than another model, where one ends up scratching the paint!

540i key hole capNow I immediately knew that there was no model in the related line up that would ever see paint damage when getting to the key hole. He walked me over to one, a 5-Series, and I had the cap hiding the lock cylinder off in a single move. See the instructions here.

The point here is that he had clearly fielded at least one call from a customer trying to get into his or her car, and neither of them took the time to talk to a service advisor.

This is not exclusive to BMW at all, so regardless of make or model, this was a time to call the service department!

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/when-to-call-service-and-not-your-salesperson/