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.

A completely unneeded symbol expands the auto headlamps page

Auto headlamps

We added a new symbol to our auto headlamps page, courtesy of Lincoln. A completely unnecessary move of the letter A to outside the representation of the lamp!

The page now holds 14 very, very similar images, all of which represent a system that turns the high beams on and off by sensing the headlights of oncoming vehicles and the taillights of vehicles ahead.

We’ll keep saying it: the more symbols that are created the more useless the entire indicator light system becomes.

Auto high beamHigh beam assistantHigh-beam Assistant IndicatorThe newest symbol is at the far right with the letter A seen outside the flattened oval representing the headlamp. Lincoln itself already used the two additional images shown to its left. Why? Why?? What could possibly be gained by adding yet another essentially identical image with the letter A in a new location?

Absolutely, unequivocally, unbelievably stupid. And there are more on the page. Different colors, added words, etc. Where does it end??

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.

You can see the Auto Headlamps 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/2024/11/a-completely-unneeded-symbol-expands-the-auto-headlamps-page/

A word on tire pressure and tire pressure gauges

TPMS largeTire pressure

So its that time again. Time when the weather cools and your tire pressure drops, as directed by nature, and you’ll soon see the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) light. The one that looks too much like a horseshoe.

vintage pumpAir pumpAnd mine did as well. So off I went to the gas station to use a pump very much like the one to the right. Remember the one next to it??

Set the pressure, 36 lbs in the case of the EV, inflate the tire and the pump stops and beeps when it reaches the the pressure that’s been set. I then check the accuracy of the pump with my pencil type pressure gauge. It read 34 lbs on each tire.

TPMS displayNow the car also reads out the pressures, but only when moving for some reason. So I had to move on before checking. The car read out 34 lbs as well. So now I know to set the pump a couple of pounds higher than what I want the next time I go back. And heaven forbid the tires be overinflated. Over or under — either is potentially dangerous.

Now one might think that powered system like the pump I used might be more accurate, but this is clearly not the case. And while I do recognize that 34 lbs is quite literally close enough, getting to 36 lbs will stave off the next need to fill again as the temperature continues to drop by a few degrees.

And of course, 2 days later its 60° and all 4 tires are at 36 lbs…

Pencil gaugeBack to the pencil type gauge, which some call a pen type (right), I prefer the simplicity of the mechanical system. There are lots of battery operated gauges available, but the internal battery becomes a variable that can’t be tested for.

Keep it simple and stay with the mechanical gauge and its easy to carry. And do back-up the pump and check what’s actually gone in to your tires.

For more tire pressure, check our TPMS 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/2024/11/a-word-on-tire-pressure-and-tire-pressure-guages/

Yet another owner’s manual fail — from Lincoln — and its exactly the same one!

Lincoln LogoLincoln owner’s manual fail

Indeed, we’ve found another owner’s manual fail. Over the last few months ago we reported on the discovery that Mazda and then Kia had left instrument panel indicators out of the list found in the owner’s manual. Now we find that Lincoln has not only has done the same thing, with its Corsair manual, the company didn’t bother making an indicator list at all!

This is now a trend in the industry that had to end!

We found the first indicator on page 20 and the last on page 344! There is also a set of software update indicators on page 524.

The Corsair is a hybrid model, Lincoln’s first hybrid, and we first thought that this was the controlling factor. However, we then reviewed the Nautilus, which turns out to also be a hybrid with a proper list!

This is a massive mistake — Lincoln owners will be having to thumb though over 300 pages to identify a new indicator on their instrument panel, and there are a minimum of 20 that are new to the manufacturer and many that are new to us!

And remember, there is no indicator list at all in the manual! There is also no quick start guide where a list might have been hidden. Owners will end up on the web, which might be good for us, but very, very bad for them.

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 current set of Lincoln indicators is here. Note that we will be several more days finishing the update.

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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/2024/11/yet-another-owners-manual-fail-from-lincoln-and-its-exactly-the-same-one/

Lincoln back up entry and start update adds three changes

Lincoln LogoLincoln back up entry and start

A full review of 2024 and 2025 models results in several important changes to the Lincoln back up entry and start pages. The Nautilus now uses an entry option first used in the Continental and gets a new back up start slot. The Aviator gets a new look center console option with its own back up start slot.

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

Continental key holeThe Continental back up open process, now used by Nautilus, uses a key hole hidden by a spring-loaded cover in a very surprising location. The key hole is in the chrome molding beneath the driver’s door mirror and behind the imprinted word ‘Nautilus’. Insert the key and turn to unlock the car and the driver’s door will spring open.

We still in 2024 have no word on how well the key hole cover will behave in icy weather.

Nautilus 2024 back up slotAviator 2025 back up slotIn the meantime, the back up slot for used to start the Nautilus is moved from the bottom of the center console to the front of the console (far right). And the Aviator gets a new console option, which, if chosen, finds a back up slot beneath the rear cup holder (right). The bottom liner must be removed to reveal it.

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 Lincoln 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 is more true.

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

Our Lincoln symbols page has been transformed to the new color treatment

Lincoln LogoLincoln symbols page

As we prepare to update our Lincoln pages, we have finished aligning our Lincoln symbols page into the new color arrangement. We’ve now transformed 20 pages, including our primary symbols page, to reflect the new color ordering.

The Lincoln list is small for the moment, so the color scheme was relatively orderly, which made the transformation rather simple.

The page is now ordered red through yellow/orange/amber (depending on how you interpret the color!), then to green and blue. And given the small number of symbols and indicators there are as yet none in black and white or gray scale. This will likely change with the current update.

One way or another, ordering by color provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information.

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 soon to be increased set of Lincoln indicators 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 is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/11/our-lincoln-symbols-page-has-been-transformed-to-the-new-color-treatment/

Ford symbols page has been transformed to the new color treatment

Ford logoFord symbols page

As we prepare to update our Ford pages, we have finished aligning our Ford symbols page into the new color arrangement. We’ve now transformed 19 pages, including our primary symbols page, to reflect the new color ordering.

The Ford list is extensive, but unlike many symbols pages, the color scheme was relatively orderly. This made the transformation rather simple.

The page is now ordered red through yellow/amber/orange (depending on how you interpret the color!), then to green and blue. Finally, there are a number of indicators in black and white or gray scale.

Regardless, ordering by color provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information.

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 set of Ford indicators 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 is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/11/ford-symbols-page-has-been-transformed-to-the-new-color-treatment/

Update adds 29 new indicators to our Subaru dashboard symbols page

Subaru LogoSubaru dashboard symbols

We just finished an update of the Subaru dashboard symbols page and in the process added 29 new (to Subaru) indicators. This includes easily a dozen brand new versions of existing indicators.

The new Solterra model — Subaru‘s first EV entry — alone was responsible for 13 of the 29.

But what disturbed us is that shortly after we reported that the WRZ model forced the addition of six new images to our Drive Mode page, the Solterra review added four more. That page now holds 68 images, pretty much all variations on a theme.

Power modeEco modeSnow modeTrack modeThe new indicators are shown to the right. Track, Snow, ECO and Power modes. Each and every one of these could have been represented by a previously existing image you can see on our Drive Modes page.

The worst part of this is that Subaru itself is not consistent across models with the use of these symbols or even where and how they are displayed.

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.

You can see the drive modes page here, and the Subaru 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/2024/11/update-adds-29-new-indicators-to-our-subaru-dashboard-symbols-page/