EV Mode Indicators
This and the images that follow below are Hybrid EV Mode Indicator symbols. They are related to the operational state of a hybrid vehicle. The first two indicate that the EV Mode is switched on and operating when in green, but is unavailable when shown in gray scale. Availability depends on factors such as the state of the battery’s charge, outside temperature, vehicle speed, etc., depending on manufacturer.
- Before moving on, is one of these truly your symbol??
- If not, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!
The same basic image as above with a line drawn through it indicates that EV mode is not available, again because the proper conditions are not met. It may also mean that a destination may have been chosen in navigation that exceeds the hybrid battery range.
The text only symbol, eDRIVE, is found in hybrid systems that switch between using the internal combustion engine, the high voltage battery, or a combination of both automatically when conditions warrant. It will be displayed when the vehicle is under battery power alone.
This text only symbol, eBoost, will be displayed when a hybrid vehicle is under extreme acceleration, such as in passing situations. It indicates that the high voltage battery is in full use to support or Boost the acceleration.
This symbol, also in black and white features a drawing of an internal combustion (IC) engine with an embedded circular arrow. It indicates that the hybrid vehicle is operating on the IC engine alone.
This image indicates that use of the high voltage battery is on hold. The vehicle will operate using the IC engine predominantly in order to maintain the charge level in the high voltage battery. It too is in black and white.
These two are related as they both indicate that hybrid operation is in automatic mode. The second adds a slightly misshapen triangle underneath which indicates that the navigation system is active and that navigation data is being taken into consideration.
This set of indicators come from Honda Motors Corp. found in their Hybrid vehicles: Auto Mode, Charge Mode, and EV mode. In Auto Mode, the vehicle selects which propulsion source is most appropriate, the electric motor, the gasoline engine, or a combination of the two and automatically switches to it. In Charge Mode, the engine starts and the High Voltage battery charges. In EV mode, the vehicle is propelled exclusively by the electric motor, so long as the battery has sufficient charge. And to the extent of battery charge, these modes can be chosen at will by the driver.
These final three images are associated with what is termed a Mild Hybrid System, which uses a smaller, 48-volt battery to assist the driveline. The first image is displayed when the battery is supplying power. The second indicates that the battery is supporting high acceleration. The third image indicates that power from the mild hybrid system is unavailable.
The images are truly meaningless without explanatory text. A knobby outside circle with another circle inside? And what do the two lines top right and the three bent ones lower left mean? The last one is essentially a cross out and is the only one of any use — if you already know the meaning of the first two!
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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 dozens of images on this page are all Drive Mode Indicators 
Drive modes are chosen by the driver and either enhance power and performance, enhance fuel economy or maintain a balance between them. If you see one of these, just know that the drive mode can be changed with the press of a button or tap of a screen. The last three are Track Mode Indicators and should only be used on a closed track.
Similarly, these are Race Mode Indicators. They are part of a Performance Traction Management (PTM) system that offers Competitive Drive Modes. When activated, the Electronic Stability Control OFF light will also be seen as the system will be turned off. As above, these modes should only be used on a closed track.
Similarly, the Drift Mode Indicator is also seen in 
Electric vehicles have their own set of mode choices, in nearly the number of variations as vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. Again, its all about the driver’s choice!
Toyota’s hydrogen powered Mirai has this Br – or Brake – Mode option, which is found on the shifter. It is intended for driving in conditions that require strong deceleration force, such as down-hill driving, etc. The indicator will be seen when the mode is selected, which draws braking power from the traction battery.
Another mode is Valet. This one leaves only the door locks and ignition active or available for use by a valet to park an owner’s vehicle. Forgetting to disengage this mode will lock out the trunk and glove box, and may be temporarily confusing.
These are all Sport Mode Indicators. plain ‘S’ is used both as a Sport Mode Indicator and a SynchroRev Match Mode (S-MODE) indicator. The SynchroRev Match mode is found only in a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission. It automatically adjusts the engine speed to match the selecting gear ratio while changing gears. Similarly, the two Sport Mode Indicators that follow will downshift an automatic transmission when engaged and enables performance shift features when spirited driving is detected, maintaining lower transmission gears to increase available engine braking and improve acceleration response.
One manufacturer uses multiple mode options that can be set by the vehicle’s driver. The first uses a distorted letter V to indicate that V-MODE is chosen. The option exists only as part of a V-Series vehicle. Z MODE offers exactly the same options, but in another model. It indicates that a specific driving mode has been chosen as set by a specific driver. The image of a head and shoulders alone or alongside a steering wheel are MY MODE indicators from the same manufacturer. Again, drive options are chosen by the driver.
Yet another manufacturer uses the symbol on the left to indicate N mode, which is seen as a stylized letter N. It actually controls the vehicle’s SPORT modes, and thus makes little sense. There is no explanation for what the N actually stands for and it is activated by pressing a flag button on the steering wheel. N mode manages the driving dynamics by automatically adjusting the steering effort, and the engine and transmission control logic for enhanced driver performance.
These are Tour or Normal Mode Indicators. It is used for normal city and highway driving to provide a smooth, soft ride in a high-performance vehicle. 
It provides a balanced setting between comfort and handling and is the standard mode. Be sure not to confuse it with the image to the right, which is essentially the same image but seen in yellow/amber. It is a Lane Keeping Indicator. 
These are all Weather Mode Indicators: two forms of Rain and Snow Mode, Wet Mode and Dry Mode. Other than Dry Mode, the modes help to keep the wheels from spinning in slippery conditions.
Poor Communication Makes for Poor Service
Communication is Key
As a result of two 2019 incidents involving two different individuals and two very different issues, we want to talk about service, from both sides of the counter. The bottom line in both is very poor communication. And the fault, for better or worse, lies with the service personnel.
What Battery Problem?
The first involved a routine oil change and a battery. In the course of changing the oil in my friend’s car, the dealer evidently did a battery check. What was conveyed to the owner by the service writer was that the battery was at “75%”, which was changed a moment later to “50%”.
Now the point here is that the information, while it might actually have some meaning, was meaningless to my friend. There was no indication of what test was performed and how it was performed and the meaning of the percentages.
With today’s maintenance free batteries, its difficult but not impossible to test the electrolyte in individual cells. There may be screw caps that can be removed, but more commonly, one entire side of the top of the battery would need to be pried off.
Now, there are two ends to this story. The first, because the information given didn’t seem credible, the owner opted not to replace his battery. It hadn’t given him a problem.
The second is that a month later, his battery died.
In hindsight, its quite likely that whatever test that was done actually did find a weak battery. But nearly all of us step into a service department with a little skepticism, ready to say no to any add on service. This makes it critical for service personnel to communicate fully and patiently to any customer in the case of something truly necessary. As it happens, my friend is pretty well informed and would have understood a properly explained test.
Tire “Patching”
The second situation is a tire issue, and led to a cascade of mistakes. It started with a leaking front tire and the tire shop my second friend visited said that the tire could be patched.
The alternative she was given was to buy not one but two tires, which was actually accurate. Given the wear on the tires, buying one was not the proper service. We’ll come back to this.
We are now at mistake number two. The new tires were left on the front. And I don’t care what your own instincts are or what your experience tells you, this is flat out wrong. The best tread belongs in the back of the car to keep the trailing tires in line with the front tires.
Take a look at Michelin Tire’s web site for a video that will show this far better than I can explain it.
How Many Tires?
Which brings us to mistake number 3. Remember, once it was decided to replace the leaking tire, a second tire was necessary. The question then is why, and is it possible that all 4 should have been replaced!
The answer lies in the difference in tread depth. There is some amount of competing information out there, but a good rule of thumb is that if the tire depths vary by 30% or more, the mate on the other side needs to be replaced as well, and if the other two tires are also outside this spec, all 4 must be replaced. This is to protect the axles from coming apart due to wheels turning at different speeds, particularly on all wheel drive vehicles, as hers is.
Now, her new tires measured at 10/32s, like the gauge shows here. The older tires measured at 4/32. This is way outside 30%. The back tires would have needed 7 to 8/32 to qualify.
The supposedly experienced salesman insisted this didn’t matter, but she bought the two additional tires regardless. And she was right to do it.
Now lots of people would have replaced their tires once they were down to 4/32. Note that the wear bars in tires are set at 2/32, which is the end of the line, and pretty much where my tires are now. I’ll be buying 4 very soon. So while she might have been able to stretch her tires another few thousand miles, it didn’t hurt to put new tires on.
But all of this began with the word patch, and while it is in common use in the industry, if you’re a service person, it rests on your shoulders to understand that it could very well have an entirely different meaning to your customers.
And this is easily true in any service business in any industry. What is common knowledge to you is very likely foreign to your customers. That’s why they come to you in the first place. So hold tight to the idea that words matter. And buyer beware be damned, if you’re in a service business, the responsibility belongs to you.
Check out Part II from a few weeks later.
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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.