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.
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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Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow.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 the All Wheel Drive (
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 
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.
Some older vehicles use this red 
The picture symbols shown to the right are very much related.