Category: Dashboard Symbols & Tell-tales

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

Performance transmission active indicator

Drivetrain Trouble Indicator

Performance transmission This is a Performance Transmission Active Indicator symbol. Found in the Chevrolet Corvette, it will appear in green if the transmission shift points have been altered to enhance the vehicle behavior when track driving. Before continuing, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, read on below. Otherwise, you can return to …

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Electric all-wheel drive indicators

Electric all-wheel drive These are Electric All-Wheel Drive Indicator symbols. They are found in Electric Vehicles (EVs) made by General Motors. They being EVs became an excuse to add the word electric to the AWD or 4WD acronyms. Before continuing, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, read on below. Otherwise, you can …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/01/electric-all-wheel-drive-indicators/

Windshield defrost indicators

Front windshield defrost indicator

Windshield defrost These are Windshield Defrost or Defog Indicator symbols. For reasons known only to Rivian, they have decided that a new set of indicators is needed in order to defrost a windshield and, further, that three different colors are required. Before continuing, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, read on below. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/01/windshield-defrost-indicators/

Tailgate and liftgate malfunction indicators

Tailgate malfunction indicator

Tailgate and liftgate malfunction These are Tailgate and Liftgate Malfunction Indicator symbols. One or these will be seen when the tailgate or liftgate or both does/do not close properly. They are presented in red as what might be mistaken as tailgate or liftgate ajar indicators with an exclamation point added. The exclamation points are ridiculously …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/01/tailgate-and-liftgate-malfunction-indicators/

Hood malfunction indicator

Hood-malfunction-indicator

Hood malfunction This is a Hood Malfunction Indicator symbol. It appears when the hood does not close properly. It is seen in red as what might be mistaken as a hood ajar indicator with an exclamation point added. The exclamation point is ridiculously small and may be missed by the driver. Before continuing, is this …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/01/hood-malfunction-indicator/

Intersection or Side Collision Warning Indicators

Side Collision Warning These are Intersection or Side Collision Warning Indicator symbols. They warn of a possible collision from the side. The images are all of a vehicle seen fully from the side and are always shown in red. Before continuing, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, read on below. Otherwise, you …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/12/intersection-or-side-collision-warning-indicators/

Rear Collision Warning and system off indicators

Forward Collision System Fault Indicator

Rear Collision Warning These symbols are Rear Collision Warning Indicator symbols. They resemble many of the forward collision warning symbols that have become relatively common across the industry, these are specifically used to warn or avoid a possible collision from behind. Before continuing, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, read on below. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/12/rear-collision-warning-and-system-off-indicators/