Category: Dashboard Symbols & Tell-tales

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

Our Buick dashboard symbols page has now been color aligned

Buick logoBuick dashboard symbols

Our Buick dashboard symbols page has now been re-ordered into the new color alignment. This makes 25 pages transformed to reflect the new color ordering, including our primary pictographic symbols page. We have now officially passed the half way mark to re-ordering all our manufacturer symbols pages. There are 49 on the site.

We attempted an update of the page in August, but at the time, we were stunned to discover that the company is not using any new symbols! This was quite literally a first.

This essentially means that Buick models are not using any new systems in their vehicles in 2024, and that we are likely to get piled on in 2025!

The symbols page is now ordered red through yellow/orange/amber (depending on how you interpret the color!), then to green and blue and finally to black and white or gray scale symbols.

Ordering the page by color provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information on a new symbol.

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 page covering Buick indicators, with over 50, 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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/12/our-buick-dashboard-symbols-page-has-now-been-color-aligned/

Drive mode craze hits new heights

Drive mode

We’ve begun an update of our Ford dashboard symbols page, and drive more additions immediately took center stage.

We have 12 models to cover, and we take it in alphabetical order and this all we’ve looked at is the Bronco. It was soon clear that I would have to add no less than nine new (to Ford) drive modes.

Then there is the Rapter version — not to mention the Bronco Sport that we have yet to even open — which will include four exhaust modes, seven G.O.A.T modes, four steering modes, three suspension modes, and a My mode, where some arrangement of the previous modes are saved as a preference.

That’s 21 new symbols to add to Ford from a single model! We expect two or three from a model, but 21? And 3/4 of these will be brand new to our Special Modes Page.

Additions to the page aside, when did owning a car shift to requiring a week’s worth of study??

And G.O.A.T. mode? That’s Goes Over Any-type of Terrain mode, clearly nothing more than an attempt to be more clever the competition. We’re not sure “who encourages this”, “who benefits from this”, or “who”, if anyone, actually “likes this”. We left out “who requires this” because clearly no one does!

Drive mode changes generally occur via a button on the steering wheel or on the center console. The issue is the number of times drivers accidently change a driver mode, which can sometimes cause operating issues. Accidentally hitting a mode that involves all four wheels can actually cause damage to a vehicles drive train.

And this ignores the panic drivers feel if and when a vehicle is not behaving as expected.

Mud and sand mode indicatorMud & Sand mode indicatorAt some point it the proliferation of drive modes has to stop. Is Mud/Sand mode really that different from other off road modes? And do the pictographs do this justice? Here, do the pictures really speak loader than words??

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 Special Drive Mode page is here — and set to grow significantly over the next few days.

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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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/11/drive-mode-craze-hits-new-heights/

Our Dodge dashboard symbols page has now been color aligned

Dodge logoDodge dashboard symbols

Our Dodge dashboard symbols page has now been re-ordered into the new color alignment. The page was updated in August and this makes 24 pages transformed to reflect the new color ordering, including our primary pictographic symbols page. We are now one short of half way to our total manufacturer symbols pages (49) transformed on the site.

At the time of the August update, we added an astounding 44 new symbols to the page! And Dodge makes only four models: the Hornet, Charger, Challenger and Durango!

Primarily, we found the addition of a whole lot of technology, including new hybrid technology in the Hornet. The giveaway are these three lights (right) related to the use of a 48 volt hybrid battery. The lights are part of what Alfa Romeo call E-Boost and what Dodge calls PowerShot! The symbols are very, very unique. Alfa Romeo and Dodge are both are in the Stellantis family.

E-boost indicatorE-boost indicator 2E-boost indicator 3E-Boost and PowerShot are belt-driven 48V hybrid systems. This system helps in stop-and-go situations and translates to improvements for the official city fuel economy. Seen in white, the system is unavailable. Seen in gray it is available and in green, it is engaged.

The symbols page is now ordered red through yellow/orange/amber (depending on how you interpret the color!), then to green and blue and finally to black and white or gray scale symbols.

Ordering the page by color provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information on a new symbol.

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 page covering Dodge indicators, now with over 90, 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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/11/our-dodge-dashboard-symbols-page-has-now-been-color-aligned/

Chrysler dashboard symbols page now color aligned

Chrysler logoChrysler dashboard symbols

We have now re-ordered our Chrysler dashboard symbols page into the new color alignment. We updated the page several months ago. This makes 23 pages transformed, including our primary pictographic symbols page, to reflect the new color ordering and still just short of half of our total manufacturer symbols pages (49) on our site.

The page was updated the page in August and, despite the company selling only two models, the update still managed to add seven new symbols to the page. Most are the result of adding new colors to existing symbols. As a for instance, there are now green and white Lane Departure Indicators. They add to what a driver needs to know about the system. In green, the system is on and ready and both lanes are detected. In white, lane lines are not detected.

Also added were several for Adaptive Cruise Control. As with above, the additions involve new colors: green means the system is operating; green with an added vehicle says the system is running and has detected a vehicle ahead; and white says the system is on, but no speed has been chosen.

Presentation

The symbols page is now ordered red through yellow/orange/amber (depending on how you interpret the color!), then to green and blue and finally to black and white or gray scale symbols.

Ordering the page by color provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information on a new symbol.

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 page covering Chrysler indicators, now with nearly 60, 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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/11/chrysler-dashboard-symbols-page-now-color-aligned/

The new color treatment added to our Honda dashboard symbols page

Honda logoHonda dashboard symbols

Following on the heels of the changeover of our Acura symbols page, we have now re-ordered our Honda dashboard symbols page into the new color alignment. We updated the page several months ago.

We’ve now transformed 22 pages, including our primary pictographic symbols page, to reflect the new color ordering and still just short of half of our total manufacturer symbols pages on our site.

Note that when we updated the page, we discovered that a large number of new symbols needed to be added, but they were already in our possession. That is because of the addition of the Prologue EV model to the line up, which was done in collaboration with General Motors (GM). We had the symbols in play — on our GM pages.

Honda and GM jointly developed the EVs, a collaboration that began in 2013, which was initially focused on hydrogen as the fuel of the future. That shifted as EVs rose to prominence and in essence, GM‘s drivetrain and control systems won out. And the proof is in the owner’s manuals that look very much like carbon copies of GM manuals and not at all like Honda manuals.

Page Setup

The symbols page is now ordered red through yellow/orange/amber (depending on how you interpret the color!), then to green and blue and finally to black and white or gray scale symbols.

Ordering the page by color provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information on a new symbol.

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 page covering Honda indicators, now with nearly 100, 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 could be more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/11/the-new-color-treatment-added-to-our-honda-dashboard-symbols-page/

The Acura dashboard symbols page has been given the new color treatment

Acura_logoAcura dashboard symbols

Several months after updating our Acura dashboard symbols page, we at last re-aligned the page into the new color arrangement. We’ve now transformed 21 pages, including our primary picture symbols page, to reflect the new color ordering and just short of half of our total manufacturer symbols pages on our site.

Note that when we updated the page, we discovered that a large number of new symbols needed to be added, but they were already in our possession. That is because of the addition of the ZDX EV model to the line up, which was done in collaboration with General Motors (GM). We had the symbols in play — on our GM pages.

Acura parent Honda Motor Co. and GM jointly developed the EVs, a collaboration that began in 2013, which was initially focused on hydrogen fuel. That shifted as EVs rose to prominence and in essence, GM‘s drivetrain and control systems won out. And the proof is in the owner’s manuals that look very much like carbon copies of GM manuals.

The page is now ordered red through yellow/orange/amber (depending on how you interpret the color!), then to green and blue and finally to black and white or gray scale symbols.

Ordering the page by color provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information on a new symbol.

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 page covering Acura indicators, now numbering over 90, can be seen here. On to Honda…

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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/the-acura-dashboard-symbols-page-has-been-given-the-new-color-treatment/

An update of our Lincoln dashboard symbols page adds 27 new indicators

Lincoln LogoLincoln dashboard symbols

The Lincoln dashboard symbols page update is now complete, with 27 symbols added. A full 18 of them are brand new entries to the entire universe of symbols.

This from a company that only makes four models!

Among the new entries are three BlueCruise symbols, an auto high beam indicator that manages only to move the letter A to a new position, and two new pre-collision indicators.

BlueCruise is Lincoln‘s, or more to the point Ford Motor Co.’s version of a self driving system for highways. The subscription service uses cameras to monitor the vehicle’s position within a lane and applies steering support to keep the vehicle centered in the lane. The colors indicate the system status.

Bluecruise available indicatorBlue cruise active indicatorBlue cruise hands-free indicatorGray-scale indicates BlueCruise is on but inactive. Green says the system is active and applying continuous steering support. Blue indicates that the system is active and hands-free driving mode is available.

Auto high beamHigh beam assistantHigh-beam Assistant IndicatorThe latest automatic high beam indicator is at the far right, where the letter A for automatic is shifted outside the of the flattened oval meant to represent a headlight. Lincoln models now use all three of the symbols shown! The new one is just completely useless.

Reverse brake assist indicatorPre-collision assist malfunctionForward collision warningThe pre-collision indicators add a star behind the car which is meant to indicate a crash. The new ones are to the far right and in front of it is a pre-existing one that could easily have been used rather than make new ones.

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

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 Lincoln 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/an-update-of-our-lincoln-dashboard-symbols-page-adds-27-new-indicators/