All Wheel Drive
These are the All Wheel Drive (AWD) Trouble Indicator symbols. These lights will be on when All-Wheel Drive is disengaged and the drive mechanism is switched to Front Wheel Drive for maintenance or if there is a problem with the system. The car can be safely operated in front wheel drive. With the exception of the red symbol below, all these symbols appear as yellow/amber.
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- Otherwise you can return to our main Text Symbols page and scan again!
Of course, if the vehicle is electric (EV), it gets its own indicators. The only reason to do this is that the All-Wheel Drive system is actually electric. In yellow/amber/orange, the electric AWD system is limited, and will turn off when the system is working normally.. In red, there is a malfunction. A good repair shop or your dealer will be needed.
The symbol to the left also includes a stick figure image meant to look like four wheels with the front wheels turned to the right. All these lights incorporate the AWD acronym and may include an exclamation point. Malfunctions may be indicated by the system before a real problem is obvious, but don’t waste time. Have the system checked out as soon as possible.
These symbols will flash if the vehicle is fitted with tires of differing diameters or if the air pressure in any of the tire drops dramatically. The AWD system will be unavailable, but the main front or wheel drive wheels will operate normally. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light will also very likely be lit, if the vehicle is equipped with the system.
Some older vehicles use this red FWD light to indicate a problem with an All Wheel Drive system. FWD stands for Front Wheel Drive, and in this context means that the AWD has been disengaged automatically due to the problem. Only the front wheels will be available until the AWD system is repaired.
Related Symbols
The picture symbols shown to the right are very much related. Click here for more.
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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.
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
These are all variations of of Keyless Ignition Key Fob Detection indicators. A number of 
The flashing 
This one, which is an image of a key with a line drawn through it in 
Note that some manufacturers will have the light flash in 
These are Key Fob Indicator 
These symbols are Low Key Battery Indicators. The images of a key are shown above or alongside the image of what most resembles a AA or AAA battery with its level low. One adds the letter E for empty to the right. Replace the battery as soon as possible. They do NOT use AA or AAA batteries!
Electronic keys, key fobs, remote controls, smart keys, intelligent keys, advanced keys are all terms used by manufacturers and drivers to describe the same device. You get to get into and start your vehicle only if the correct device is present, has a working battery and is not interfered with by other electronics (actually rare). All the images include the representation of a key and depending on the manufacturer, may include an exclamation point, a question mark or even a lightning bolt.
Do not confuse these with other automotive trouble symbols that make use of the image a key. Click 
These are External Sound System Fault Indicator 
These lights, showing curved lines emanating from a car, with or without the word OFF, indicate a problem with system, which must be addressed by your dealer or qualified service center. Variations exist in color (
These are High Voltage Battery Charge Level Indicator 
Another manufacturer uses three versions with an outline in 
And another uses this set of indicators. From left to right, the first image is in 
Each manufacturer seems intent on creating their own set of charge indicators. This set shows a bar that moves right to left in a rounded rectangle, It changes color as the battery is drained and goes from 
Another set of images appear here. In 
These are EV Charging Indicator 
Minor variations include color (
Finally, some hybrid vehicles include a SAVE mode indicator. When in Save mode, the vehicle drives in a way that maintains the charge level of the high voltage battery. The indicator will likely be shown in black and white in the information display.
This is the Low Brake Fluid Indicator 
This is a Turn Assist Indicator