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.

Alfa Romeo dashboard symbols page gets the new color alignment

Alfa Romeo LogoAlfa Romeo dashboard symbols

Our Alfa Romeo dashboard symbols page has now been re-ordered into the new color alignment. This makes 26 pages transformed to reflect the new color ordering, including our primary pictographic symbols page. We have slowly moving past the half way mark to re-ordering all our manufacturer symbols pages. There are 49 on the site.

This is another page that we updated in August adding almost a dozen new symbols in the process. The addition of a hybrid system in the 2024 Tonale was the primary cause of the increase.

E-boost indicatorE-boost indicator 2E-boost indicator 3Alfa Romeo added a new E-Boost system that required three brand new lights (right). E-Boost is a belt-driven 48V hybrid system. This system helps in stop-and-go (see this link) situations and translates to improvements for the official city fuel economy. Seen in white, the E-Boost system is unavailable. Seen in gray it is available and in green, it is engaged.

The indicators are seen as a lightning bolt in a cloud-like circle. As noted, the colors alert the driver to the status of the E-Boost system.

Page Alignment

As to the page alignment, the symbols page is now ordered first by red symbols, then to red with yellow/amber/orange option indicators, through to yellow/orange/amber (depending on how you interpret the color!), then to green and blue and finally to black and white or gray scale symbols.

Ordering the page by color provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information on a new symbol.

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.

Our page covering Alfa Romeo indicators, with over 90, can be seen 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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/12/alfa-romeo-dashboard-symbols-page-gets-the-new-color-alignment/

Our Buick dashboard symbols page has now been color aligned

Buick logoBuick dashboard symbols

Our Buick dashboard symbols page has now been re-ordered into the new color alignment. This makes 25 pages transformed to reflect the new color ordering, including our primary pictographic symbols page. We have now officially passed the half way mark to re-ordering all our manufacturer symbols pages. There are 49 on the site.

We attempted an update of the page in August, but at the time, we were stunned to discover that the company is not using any new symbols! This was quite literally a first.

This essentially means that Buick models are not using any new systems in their vehicles in 2024, and that we are likely to get piled on in 2025!

The symbols page is now ordered red through yellow/orange/amber (depending on how you interpret the color!), then to green and blue and finally to black and white or gray scale symbols.

Ordering the page by color provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information on a new symbol.

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.

Our page covering Buick indicators, with over 50, can be seen 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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/12/our-buick-dashboard-symbols-page-has-now-been-color-aligned/

Drive mode craze hits new heights

Drive mode

We’ve begun an update of our Ford dashboard symbols page, and drive more additions immediately took center stage.

We have 12 models to cover, and we take it in alphabetical order and this all we’ve looked at is the Bronco. It was soon clear that I would have to add no less than nine new (to Ford) drive modes.

Then there is the Rapter version — not to mention the Bronco Sport that we have yet to even open — which will include four exhaust modes, seven G.O.A.T modes, four steering modes, three suspension modes, and a My mode, where some arrangement of the previous modes are saved as a preference.

That’s 21 new symbols to add to Ford from a single model! We expect two or three from a model, but 21? And 3/4 of these will be brand new to our Special Modes Page.

Additions to the page aside, when did owning a car shift to requiring a week’s worth of study??

And G.O.A.T. mode? That’s Goes Over Any-type of Terrain mode, clearly nothing more than an attempt to be more clever the competition. We’re not sure “who encourages this”, “who benefits from this”, or “who”, if anyone, actually “likes this”. We left out “who requires this” because clearly no one does!

Drive mode changes generally occur via a button on the steering wheel or on the center console. The issue is the number of times drivers accidently change a driver mode, which can sometimes cause operating issues. Accidentally hitting a mode that involves all four wheels can actually cause damage to a vehicles drive train.

And this ignores the panic drivers feel if and when a vehicle is not behaving as expected.

Mud and sand mode indicatorMud & Sand mode indicatorAt some point it the proliferation of drive modes has to stop. Is Mud/Sand mode really that different from other off road modes? And do the pictographs do this justice? Here, do the pictures really speak loader than words??

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.

Our Special Drive Mode page is here — and set to grow significantly over the next few days.

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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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/11/drive-mode-craze-hits-new-heights/

Our Dodge dashboard symbols page has now been color aligned

Dodge logoDodge dashboard symbols

Our Dodge dashboard symbols page has now been re-ordered into the new color alignment. The page was updated in August and this makes 24 pages transformed to reflect the new color ordering, including our primary pictographic symbols page. We are now one short of half way to our total manufacturer symbols pages (49) transformed on the site.

At the time of the August update, we added an astounding 44 new symbols to the page! And Dodge makes only four models: the Hornet, Charger, Challenger and Durango!

Primarily, we found the addition of a whole lot of technology, including new hybrid technology in the Hornet. The giveaway are these three lights (right) related to the use of a 48 volt hybrid battery. The lights are part of what Alfa Romeo call E-Boost and what Dodge calls PowerShot! The symbols are very, very unique. Alfa Romeo and Dodge are both are in the Stellantis family.

E-boost indicatorE-boost indicator 2E-boost indicator 3E-Boost and PowerShot are belt-driven 48V hybrid systems. This system helps in stop-and-go situations and translates to improvements for the official city fuel economy. Seen in white, the system is unavailable. Seen in gray it is available and in green, it is engaged.

The symbols page is now ordered red through yellow/orange/amber (depending on how you interpret the color!), then to green and blue and finally to black and white or gray scale symbols.

Ordering the page by color provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information on a new symbol.

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.

Our page covering Dodge indicators, now with over 90, can be seen 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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/11/our-dodge-dashboard-symbols-page-has-now-been-color-aligned/

Ford back up entry and start update results in in three changes

Ford back up entry and start

A full review of 2024 and 2025 models finds several important changes to the Ford back up entry and start pages. Transit, Mustang and Explorer all now use new back up start options. And we added information on F-150 Lightning models we had neglected at its 2022 introduction. Entry processes saw no changes.

Back entry and start processes are made necessary by the batteries in key fobs dying.

Escape back up spotWhen keyless start was first introduced to Transit models in 2019, a back up location was found in one of the cup holders. In 2024, the back up location is moved to the front of the center console. A fob-shaped depression will be seen once the mat is removed.

Mustang back up startMustang models first saw push button start in 2015 and also used a cup holder for its back up spot. Now, that spot has been moved to the bottom of the center console. Remove the mat covering the bottom — as well as anything stored there — and place the fob in the fob-shaped depression with the buttons facing up.

Ford Pick-up OneExpedition slotDepending on seating, Explorer models use two back up options beginning with the 2025 models. Those with bucket seats feature a back up slot in the rear cup holder beneath the mat at the bottom. Clearly Ford has not completely abandoned cup holder locations. In bench seat models, the back up slot is found inside the center console at the rear. Note that there are two console storage areas. The one needed and shown is beneath the center bench seat.

Ford truck back up slotAll Lightning models use the rear cup holder. Remove the mat at the bottom (see image) by pulling the tab and stand the key fob up in the slot, buttons forward.

In all cases, once the fobs are placed, press the Start/Stop button while stepping on the brake as normal.

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. These back up options are there to overcome a dead key fob battery.

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.

You can see the Ford back up entry page here and the back up start 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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/11/ford-back-up-entry-and-start-update-results-in-in-three-changes/

Chrysler dashboard symbols page now color aligned

Chrysler logoChrysler dashboard symbols

We have now re-ordered our Chrysler dashboard symbols page into the new color alignment. We updated the page several months ago. This makes 23 pages transformed, including our primary pictographic symbols page, to reflect the new color ordering and still just short of half of our total manufacturer symbols pages (49) on our site.

The page was updated the page in August and, despite the company selling only two models, the update still managed to add seven new symbols to the page. Most are the result of adding new colors to existing symbols. As a for instance, there are now green and white Lane Departure Indicators. They add to what a driver needs to know about the system. In green, the system is on and ready and both lanes are detected. In white, lane lines are not detected.

Also added were several for Adaptive Cruise Control. As with above, the additions involve new colors: green means the system is operating; green with an added vehicle says the system is running and has detected a vehicle ahead; and white says the system is on, but no speed has been chosen.

Presentation

The symbols page is now ordered red through yellow/orange/amber (depending on how you interpret the color!), then to green and blue and finally to black and white or gray scale symbols.

Ordering the page by color provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information on a new symbol.

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.

Our page covering Chrysler indicators, now with nearly 60, can be seen 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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/11/chrysler-dashboard-symbols-page-now-color-aligned/

The new color treatment added to our Honda dashboard symbols page

Honda logoHonda dashboard symbols

Following on the heels of the changeover of our Acura symbols page, we have now re-ordered our Honda dashboard symbols page into the new color alignment. We updated the page several months ago.

We’ve now transformed 22 pages, including our primary pictographic symbols page, to reflect the new color ordering and still just short of half of our total manufacturer symbols pages on our site.

Note that when we updated the page, we discovered that a large number of new symbols needed to be added, but they were already in our possession. That is because of the addition of the Prologue EV model to the line up, which was done in collaboration with General Motors (GM). We had the symbols in play — on our GM pages.

Honda and GM jointly developed the EVs, a collaboration that began in 2013, which was initially focused on hydrogen as the fuel of the future. 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 that look very much like carbon copies of GM manuals and not at all like Honda manuals.

Page Setup

The symbols page is now ordered red through yellow/orange/amber (depending on how you interpret the color!), then to green and blue and finally to black and white or gray scale symbols.

Ordering the page by color provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information on a new symbol.

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.

Our page covering Honda indicators, now with nearly 100, can be seen 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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/11/the-new-color-treatment-added-to-our-honda-dashboard-symbols-page/