Master Light
These are both Master Dashboard Warning Light and Attention symbols, in red. If this light is on, there will likely be text displayed as well on the instrument panel, or another warning light. Look for text in particular. It could very well point out something as serious as low oil pressure. However, despite the serious look to the symbol, it is generally associated with simple reminders such as a door ajar or that it is time to change the oil.
- First, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below!
- Otherwise return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!
So, what’s up with the next one??
This same symbol, an exclamation point in a triangle, in yellow/amber has been used by European and Asian vehicle manufacturers in two ways. First, it indicates a fault in the vehicle’s Stability Control System, as well as a slip indicator. Click here for more. The vehicle can be driven with caution, but without the benefit of the advanced electronic control system.
Second, it is used in many cases to indicate that a text warning is available in the vehicle’s Information Display. It may involve a malfunction in any system. A Check Control message will likely require changing screens to discover the root problem.
Related Symbols
And then there are these, which feature a lower case letter “i” in a square. It too is meant to alert the driver to look for a message in the information center, but the message will not involve a serious drivability issue. The manufacturer uses the red triangles for this. It may be seen in yellow/amber or black and white.
If you’re seeing red, see your dealer or authorized service center as soon as possible.
——————————————————————-
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.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
This a Low Brake Pad warning light. Some vehicle manufacturers include this 
This version uses a simple and very easy to understand 
This one includes the acronym 
This is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (
This text version simply says Flat Tire. While this may seem like it would be obvious to a driver, in truth the pressure in a tire can be very, very low and not result in a large change in the handling of some vehicles.
Many manufacturers now add a symbol or information display image that will highlight the tire or tires that are low on air, like the image to the left. Regardless of the symbol seen, the upshot is this: If your are at high speed, reduce your speed. If the tires do not seem to be visually low, it is likely safe to proceed to the nearest service station. The TPMS system will tell you when a tire is low, yes, but one of them leaking quickly, i.e. a single highlighted tire, is a greater danger.
This version features two arrows pointing at a ball in the center. It is most commonly found on a reset button on the dash, if one exists. It can, however, show up on the instrument panel of older vehicles and likely means that the system needs to be reset or could mean that a tire is low as well. Regardless, the tire pressures must be checked for the sake of safety.
This light holds the system’s primary acronym, TPMS. It is a Malfunction Indicator only. If your vehicle is equipped with this additional tell tale and it remains lit, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System is not operating and needs to be checked by a qualified repair facility.
Last but not least, this bit of silliness offers a different twist. It is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System Light Load indicator. It illuminates to confirm that the load setting is selected. It appears in black and white as the same slice of a tire, but with a feather inside. The setting essentially tells the TPMS system to expect lower tire pressures, as there is little loading inside the vehicle.
This text symbol, 
If any of these lights come on during normal driving, the system is likely malfunctioning and the vehicle should be brought to your dealer or authorized service center as soon as possible. Some manufacturers combine the 
The symbol to the left is a European version of the ABS warning indicator. A skidding vehicle is shown inside the circle and brackets traditionally used to denote ‘brake components’, also seen in the symbol above with the ABS acronym inside.
This version includes the 4×4 designation beneath the more routing ABS indicator in the circle and brackets. This may indicate a problem with the 4- or All-wheel Drive system as well as the ABS System. If this is the case, one or more additional indicators will be present. Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible by a competent shop.
Finally, one manufacturer has opted to have this warning light, ABS ACTIVE, come on when the ABS system is simply doing its job . It does not indicate a fault.
Note that if any of the ABS warning lights are seen with either of these warning lights (right), they indicate a problem with the Brake Force Distribution System. 
One of the original “idiot” lights, the 
Note that if the word Main is seen beneath the battery image, the light is actually a 
This 
This is the Brake Trouble Indicator symbol in Canada, and other areas, but has an additional use elsewhere (below). The look of this symbol as well as others involving brakes are supposed to resemble the physical appearance of brakes. They do, but primarily only to people who have had the opportunity to take them apart. The word ‘brake’ may appear at the top of the image.
Finally, the image is used by some manufacturers to indicate a problem with the Regenerative Brake System in electric vehicles (EVs). It may appear in 
And of course someone had to combine the two and then a third as a traditional trouble light, I suppose just to add yet more symbols. The word BRAKE is place below the circle and exclamation point. And above the same indicator plus that with a “P” inside, for parking brake.
This version that includes a thermometer inside the circle is meant to indicate that the brake disk and therefore brake pads are overheated. The car should be pulled over as soon as possible to allow them to cool. If they stay hot, the brake fluid will get hot and boil, at which point brake pressure will be non existent.
Are you seeing one of these symbols? Click 
These are E-Boost System or PowerShot System Indicator