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.

Subaru back up entry and start review finds no changes

Subaru LogoSubaru back up

A full review of 2025 models results in no changes to the Subaru back up entry and start page. All Subaru models use the tried and true “push the start/stop button with the back of the key fob to start the vehicles. In fact all the company’s models have used this simple and sane method since they first began using the keyless start option.

Further, the company has never succumbed to the temptation to hide the key hole at the back of the driver’s door handle. While methods for getting at the device has improved tremendously over time, nearly every manufacturer now hides the key hole.

This is fine until the battery in the key fob weakens, and it will at some point. At this point the vehicle needs a back-up option to get and start the vehicle. Hopefully Subaru owners will notice the warning of a weakened battery that will appear on the instrument panel. However, everyone’s busy lives often result in replacing the battery in the fob until “tomorrow” or, because we are all inundated with information from everywhere, the notice may simply be missed.

This is where back-up methods are necessary. And welcome!

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.

You can see the Subaru back up open and start page here.

——————————————————————-

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/2024/10/subaru-back-up-entry-and-start-review-finds-no-changes/

Symbol update increase the auto dimming indicators to 14

Auto dimming indicators

The Auto Dimming indicators page on our website now holds 14 different symbols. We added another malfunction indicator to what is formally known as the Automatic Headlight Dimmer and Malfunction Symbols page, which now has no less than three malfunction versions.

Auto high beam failureHeadlamp Malfunction 2Auto high beam malfunctionThe addition came via our recent Mazda update. Their version is the first one on the right. There was no particular reason that one of the other two could not have been used.

In our opinion, adding yet another image for drivers to interpret was completely unnecessary. One of the other two illustrations could easily have been used. And we’ll keep saying it: the more symbols that are created the more useless the entire warning light system becomes.

On the plus side, Mazda at least does not use a different name for the technology!

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.

Automatic Headlight Dimmer and Malfunction Symbols page is here. Its an interesting set of variations.

——————————————————————-

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/2024/10/symbol-update-increase-the-auto-dimming-indicators-to-14/

Saturn symbols page now re-ordered by color

Saturn logoSaturn symbols page

Our Saturn symbols page has now been aligned by color. We’ve have now transformed over a dozen pages, including our primary symbols page, to reflect a color ordering.

As a testament to the growth of technology and the accompanying indicators, the Saturn page holds just over 50 symbols. The majority of manufacturers have this number to near 100 and more.

Saturn as a manufacturer has been defunct since 2016. Nevertheless, we will keep the page for drivers of the cars who likely have few places to turn for help. We also have pages for Holden, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Mercury, Saab and Scion, all of whom have faded from the scene, all of which have now been transformed. We have a Fisker page as well, a company whose status remains in limbo…

The page’s indicators are now ordered red through white, which generally provides a “mostly serious” to “simply letting you know” range. We used the term “mostly serious” for red indicators because many of them do not point to problem with the vehicle.

Regardless, the new ordering 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.

The Saturn dashboard symbols page can be found here.

——————————————————————-

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/2024/10/saturn-symbols-page-now-re-ordered-by-color/

Saab symbols page now ordered by  color

Saab logoSaab symbols page

Our Saab symbols page has now been aligned by color. We’ve have now transformed several pages, including our primary symbols page, to reflect a color ordering.

As a true testament to the growth of technology and the accompanying indicators, the Saab page holds just over 30 symbols. This is easily the lowest count seen on any of our 50-odd symbols pages. Today the majority of manufacturers have this number to near 100 and more.

Saab as a manufacturer has been defunct since 2016. Nevertheless, we will keep the page for drivers of the cars who likely have few places to turn for help. We also have pages for Holden, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Mercury, Saturn and Scion, all of whom have faded from the scene. We have a Fisker page as well, a company whose status remains in limbo…

The page’s indicators are now ordered red through white, which generally provides a “mostly serious” to “simply letting you know” range. We used the term “mostly serious” for red indicators because many of them do not point to problem with the vehicle.

Regardless, the new ordering 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.

The Saab dashboard symbols page can be found here.

——————————————————————-

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/2024/10/saab-symbols-page-now-ordered-by-color/

Mercury symbols page now features the new color coded ordering

Mercury logoMercury symbols page

Our Mercury symbols page has now been aligned by color. We’ve have now transformed several pages, including our primary symbols page, to reflect a color ordering.

As a testament to the growth of technology and the accompanying indicators, the Mercury page holds just over 50 symbols. The majority of manufacturers now have this number to near 100 and more.

Mercury as a manufacturer has been defunct since 2011. Nevertheless, we will keep the page for drivers of the cars who likely have few places to turn for help. We also have pages for Holden, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Scion, all of whom have faded from the scene. We have a Fisker page as well, a car company whose status remains in limbo…

The page’s indicators are now ordered red through white, which generally provides a “mostly serious” to “simply letting you know” range. We used the term “mostly serious” for red indicators because many of them do not point to problem with the vehicle.

Regardless, the new ordering 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.

The Mercury dashboard symbols page can be found here.

——————————————————————-

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/2024/10/mercury-symbols-page-now-features-the-new-color-coded-ordering/

Autonomous driving technology continues to creep forward

Autonomous driving

Its been some time since we commented on autonomous driving. In fact, its been seven years. But the topic has seen a resurgence in the news of late, so its a moment to contemplate.

Tesla Cybercab

The primary “driver” for the latest upswing is Tesla’s unveiling of its self-driving Robotaxi earlier this month (Oct. 2024). Elon Musk said that the model could be in service in 2025, but this is completely dependent on regulators.

That said, Musk had also said previously that Tesla could reach full autonomy in 2021, which didn’t happen, and first talked about a robotaxi service in 2019, which also didn’t happen.

However, drivers of current models equipped with the Autopilot technology love it, or at least claim to. Further, Tesla employees are currently hailing existing Tesla models as robocabs in a test program in the San Francisco area, still with a human driver on board.

Which is where regulators come in. They must approve of the service currently on a state-by-state basis. Its likely waaay down the list of legislative priorities, but its time for the U.S. Congress and the Department of Transportation to weigh in.

We are well aware of the risks surrounding self driving cars, and in fact most of our commentary to date plead for caution.

However, we are also acutely aware of the disruption and frustration experienced by ordinary drivers, perhaps more so than anyone or anywhere else. Helping drivers navigate new technology is, in fact, our primary mission. And we came to the conclusion some time ago that ordinary drivers would ne best served if the advance of technology took that technology out of their hands.

Despite the obstacles and risks, autonomy is the only end result possible.

And here’s something we’d said, and forgot. “Perhaps as vehicles became more computerized, a second seat could be given the driving responsibility at times.” Its our idea — so far as we know — but it remains intriguing. Admittedly, this flies in the face of getting rid of human control functions — steering wheels, pedals, etc., but so long as a human driver is needed to back up autonomy, why not??

——————————————————————-

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/2024/10/autonomous-driving-technology-continues-to-creep-forward/

Holden symbols page gets the new color treatment

Holden logoHolden symbols page

Our Holden symbols page has now been aligned by color. We’ve have now transformed several pages, including our primary symbols page, to reflect a color ordering.

As a testament to the growth of technology and the accompanying indicators, the Holden holds just over 50 symbols. The majority of manufacturers have moved this number to near 100 and more.

Holden as a manufacturer has been defunct since the end of 2020. Nevertheless, we will keep the page for drivers of the cars who likely have few places to turn for help. We also have pages for Mercury, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Scion, all of whom have faded from the scene. We have a Fisker page as well, a company whose status remains in limbo…

The page’s indicators are now ordered red through white, which generally provides a “mostly serious” to “simply letting you know” range. We used the term “mostly serious” for red indicators because many of them do not point to problem with the vehicle.

Regardless, the new ordering 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.

The Holden dashboard symbols page can be found here.

——————————————————————-

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/2024/10/holden-symbols-page-gets-the-new-color-treatment/