Category: Dashboard Symbols & Tell-tales

DashboardSymbols.com descriptions of the symbols and tell-tales used on automobile and light truck dashboards and instrument panels.

Integrated Motor Assist Indicator Symbol

Integrated Motor Assist

This text symbol, IMA, stands for Integrated Motor Assist. It is associated with hybrid vehicles. The indicator normally comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is first switched on. There is nothing serviceable by the vehicle’s owner, so if the indicator comes on at any other time, you will need to see your dealer or qualified service center as soon as possible. The vehicle will not operate on the gas engine or the hybrid battery alone and IMA connects the two.

Before moving on, are you sure this is your symbol??
If not, you can return to our main Text Symbols page and scan again!

——————————————————————-

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Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow.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.

Marc Favreau

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

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2014/01/integrated-motor-assist-symbol-indicator/

All-wheel Drive On Indicator Symbols

All-wheel Drive

These are All-wheel Drive (AWD) On Indicator symbols. Unlike many similar indicators looking indicators, these are green and serve to tell you that your vehicle’s all-wheel drive system is engaged and possibly what mode it is in.

Before continuing, are you sure one of these is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
Otherwise you can return to our main Picture Symbols page or our Text Symbols page and scan again!

Multiple modes makes the lights necessary. Is the light yellow/amber??

Note that any yellow/amber all-wheel drive indicator, possibly flashing, indicates a problem in the system that must be addressed by your dealer or other qualified service personnel. Turn the system off if possible.

The AWD-V adds a full Vectoring component, which is what the ‘V’ stands for. The stick figure or line drawing that the letters are superimposed on are meant to be four wheels with the front wheels turned to the right.

In AWD-V, more torque is transferred between the rear wheels. This can lead to some slip in the outside wheel in extreme conditions. So, AWD only is recommended in very slippery conditions.

All this is more than necessary for most drivers, so stick to 2-wheel drive (AWD not engaged) in normal driving and AWD alone in slippery conditions.

Other Versions

This pair of symbols are simpler, indicating that the system is in all wheel or two wheel drive. The text inside the stick figures states this clearly. And change in color will, however, indicate a system problem that will require a qualified service shop.

——————————————————————-

Marc Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2013/12/all-wheel-drive-on-indicator-symbols/

Power Top Trouble Indicators

Power Top

These are Convertible or Power Top Trouble Indicator symbols. The second, which just appears as lines and angles one floating above another, is used for a power hardtop from one manufacturer. The first image features just enough “split” or space at the point of the windshield and between the roof and the trunk to suggest that the roof can be folded away. Of course, the owner of a such a vehicle already knows the car is a convertible – we presume. The symbol adds the double directional arrows to indicate that what goes up can come down.

Before continuing, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
Otherwise you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

The symbols are meant to indicate trouble with the power top system, before the top is opened or closed. It comes on during a systems check when the vehicle is started and will stay on if a fault is detected. It will also come on during operation of the top and stay on if the process is not fully completed.

Unfortunately, if a convertible top gets stuck mid-stream going up or down, the trouble symbol will often seem pointless. And if there is a fault in the system, the switch will not activate the top!

More Versions

This next set is a little more helpful. The first is a Top Lock Indicator symbol. The symbol, shown in red, is the image of a car with the top down and a padlock above it. It indicates that the lock mechanism is not engaged or has failed.

This next one, also seen in red, is Top Failure Indicator. It has the same image of the car with an exclamation point above the back of the car. It essentially says that the car does not recognize where the top is and will need to be secured, opened or closed, manually.

This one may also be seen in yellow/amber. In this case, it is most likely that the control mechanism has overheated. Give it a little time and try again.

This one is Speed Warning Indicator. It simply says that the top cannot be activated because the car is moving too fast. This explains what is supposed be a speedometer above the back of the image of the car. It is seen in yellow/amber.

These last two will be seen in the information screen in black and white, along with text describing any problem that may exist. The first is a relatively simple image of a convertible top partially open. Any one of a half a dozen possible messages describing an issue will be seen as well.

The second shows a separation at the back of the car and indicates that the trunk partition is not fully closed. An obstruction may be at fault. The trunk partition opens to take in or release the roof during operation.

——————————————————————-

Marc Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2013/09/power-top-trouble-indicator-symbol/

Second Row or Rear Seat Safety Belt Warning Indicator Symbols

Rear Safety Belts

These are Second Row or Rear Seat Safety Belt Warning Indicator symbols. In the simplest case, if a rear seat passenger is detected, the safety belt symbols come on in yellow/amber and stay on for several seconds to alert the driver that passengers may need to fasten their safety belts.

Before continuing, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, continue on below.
Otherwise you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

Once the belt is buckled, the corresponding symbol in the instrument cluster will turn green. If a belt is unbuckled while the vehicle is moving, the corresponding safety belt symbol will flash red for several seconds and a chime will be heard as well.

More Versions

These versions in red belong to a manufacturers that use the lights only to warn rear seat passengers to buckle up. There are no color changes or flashes and it appears in the center display. There is however, a buzzer that will sound if a rear seat passenger is not buckled up.

The version on the left, also in red, uses a number to indicate which belt is undone, one through three. Again, there are no color changes or flashes and it appears in the center display. On the right, also in red, the image uses the word REAR and dots to represent passengers. Dots that are illuminated indicate the passenger that is unbuckled. And again, a buzzer will also sound.

This version, still in red, uses Xs and check marks. Three rows of seats are represented. When the vehicle is started, these lights come on solid to remind rear passengers to buckle up. Then each light may stay on solid or flash if the rear passenger remains unbuckled, or becomes unbuckled, when the vehicle is moving. The X indicates the seat belt is not buckled, while the check mark is used to indicate the seat belt is buckled.

And finally, these symbols, essentially a belt buckle, will show is red if a rear passenger is not belted or in green if the passenger is belted. The seats detect the presence of a passenger as any front seat does.

——————————————————————-

Marc Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2013/08/second-row-safety-belt-indicator-light/

EyeSight System Malfunction Indicator Symbols

EyeSight

These Warning Indicator Symbols are associated with EyeSight Systems. These are driver assistance safety systems meant to help avoid or minimize collisions with obstacles moving in your direction. In use, the systems combine active or adaptive cruise control, pre-collision or automatic braking, and vehicle lane departure warning systems and depends on the proper function of two cameras mounted inside the vehicle near the top of the windshield that produce a stereo image.

Before continuing, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, continue on below.
Otherwise you can return to our main Text Symbols page and scan again!

The indicator with the line through the words Eye and Sight means the system has been turned off temporarily. This may be due to a dirty or fogged windshield, bad weather conditions (fog or heavy rain for instance), strong light in the direction of travel, or extreme hot or cold. The system will restore itself once the problem is resolved or resolves itself.

In the case of an actual malfunction with the system, the second indicator will flash. This will require your dealer to resolve, although you might try shutting the vehicle off and restarting to reset the system. The vehicle can be operated normally with the warning light on or flashing, but without the benefit of the EyeSight system.

In both cases, the pre-collision and lane departure systems will be turned off, and their respective OFF indicators will be seen as well. Addressing the EyeSight problem will resolve all the warning lights. So, be sure that service personnel begin with the Eyesight system.

——————————————————————-

Marc Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2013/06/eyesight-system-malfunction-indicator-symbols/

Wrong Way Indicator

Wrong Way

Wrong Way Indicator symbol. This symbol is first a simple road sign, at least in Europe, and second, a look ahead. The symbol is a Wrong Way or No Entry sign, and is being tested as an instrument panel symbol as part of a road sign identification technology by Mercedes-Benz. It remains unavailable and not part of any production vehicle.

Before continuing, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
Otherwise you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

The system uses a forward facing camera in conjunction with data from the vehicle’s navigation system. A driver about to pass one of the signs would hear beeps and see the symbol. The text in German – the sign is not in use in North America – shown below the red symbol would be included and translates loosely to Wrong Way.

Wouldn’t the words “wrong way” spoken aloud in any language be more effective here than more beeps?

——————————————————————-

Marc Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2013/02/wrong-way-indicator/

Transmission Warning Indicator Symbol

Transmission

This odd tuning fork-on-wheels-looking image is a Transmission Warning Indicator symbol. It belongs to a supercar so most drivers will never get the chance to see this one, which is good as the image is nearly impossible to interpret. The light can indicate an actual transmission system malfunction, or high transmission or clutch temperatures. The gap in the upper part of the image is likely meant to represent the clutch.

Before continuing, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below. Otherwise you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

Is the light blinking??

The light blinks if a malfunction in the transmission system occurs and the vehicle may become undrivable. This will clearly need your dealer’s expertise or that of a qualified repair shop.

If it comes on steadily, the transmission or clutch may be overheated. Allow the vehicle to idle until the light goes out. Your dealer should be consulted if this happens regularly.

——————————————————————-

Marc Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2013/01/transmission-warning-indicator-symbol/