Tag: bumpy circle

Drivetrain, Shift or Powertrain Trouble Symbols

Powertrain

These are Drivetrain, Shift or Powertrain trouble symbols or lights, and will be red or yellow/amber if it comes up. This same symbol is also used as an Electric Shift Control System Warning Indicator. It indicates a problem has been detected generally in an automatic transmission or transaxle, or its shift system. This part of the drivetrain should be serviced as soon as possible.

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This version in black and white will be seen in the vehicle’s information display. It may indicate that the transmission is overheated or there is a park lock malfunction or a major transmission malfunction. Fortunately, a text description will be seen as well.

This version is also seen in black and white. It accommodates all of the shift positions with their first letter, D, P, R, etc. If all are seen together and is found to be blinking, there is an issue with the transmission the will need service as soon as possible.

There is little that is user-serviceable in these systems, so you will need the help of your dealer or authorized service center. Some manufacturers also use these to indicate an engine problem, but the Check Engine light is generally reserved for this.

More Versions

While the exclamation point is a recurring motif in automotive instrument panel symbols, the wrench is a bit more rare. Neither is it very informative unless, a) the driver is already familiar with it or, b) the driver stops and reads the owners manual. It often indicates a transmission problem, particularly if seen in red, but it also is used for other purposes. Do consult your manual.

Do not confuse the first image with the Settings Indicator symbol on the left. It is nearly identical to the bumpy circle used when referring to the transmission, but lacks any addition in the center and is shown in gray scale. The settings indicator will most generally be seen in the separate Information Display and is the what we have become used to seeing on our phones and computers.

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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/2024/03/drivetrain-shift-or-powertrain-trouble-symbols/

Settings Indicator Symbol

Settings

This is the Settings Indicator symbol. It is pretty much identical to settings indicators on computers and mobile phones. It will be displayed in gray scale and most generally be seen in the separate Information Display and on mapping displays.

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

Similar Symbols

Do not confuse the symbol with those on the right. Click here or here, left to right, for more.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2018/11/settings-indicator-symbol/

Electronic Shift or Throttle Control Indicators

Shift/Throttle Control

This text symbol and those that follow are various Electronic Shift or Throttle Control Indicators. First is the ECT Power Indicator symbol. ECT stands for either Electronically Controlled Transmission or Throttle. In the PWR or power mode, indicated by the green color, your vehicle is either kept it in a lower gear for more powerful acceleration in difficult terrain or allowed to throttle more powerfully or deliberately.

Before moving on, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, continue on below.
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More Versions

This is a variant called Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS). This acronym is likely to appear with the word Power or Snow. ETCS or ECT are systems activated by a dashboard or console button or switch. The amber color is used to denote that the system should be deactivated under normal driving conditions.

A picture symbol, an Electronic Shift Malfunction indicator in amber. Click here if it is red. It features a bumpy circle, meant to be a transmission ring gear. Inside is the traditional sign of trouble, the exclamation point. The vehicle’s text display will likely ask (demand) that the parking brake be applied for safety. Time to call your dealer or authorized service center.

This is a variant with a German acronym. EML stands for Elektronische Motorleistungsregelung, or Electronic Throttle Control. The light comes on when there is a malfunction in the system.

Do not confuse the third image with the Settings Indicator symbol on the right. It is nearly identical to the bumpy circle used when referring to the transmission, but lacks any addition in the center and is shown in gray scale. The settings indicator will most generally be seen in the separate Information Display and is the what we have become used to seeing on our phones and computers.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/11/ect-power-indicator/

Shift and Up Shift Indicators

Shift

These are Up, Down or simply Shift Indicator symbols. A handful of vehicle manufacturers use these lights in vehicles with manual transmissions to indicate when it is best to shift to a higher or lower gear for optimum fuel economy.

But first, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, continue on below.
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Many More Versions

For the most part, the symbols themselves are green, indicating that they are intended to be informative and helpful and not warnings. The symbol above on the far right is an up-pointing arrow and the simple word SHIFT. The images here to the left include a bumpy circle, which represents a mechanical flywheel. The first adds a Plus (+) sign indicating that an upshift is in order. The flywheel without the Plus sign is particular to a Sport Mode selection from one manufacturer and indicates that more aggressive shifting will be employed automatically.

These two indicators, again in green, are again up or down arrows or pyramids. Included in this example is the number 2 as a suggested gear target of the shift. The number 1 or 3 or 4 or 5, etc may be seen as well.

These two, however, are displayed in yellow/amber. In addition, there is an Up Shift and a Down Shift Indicator. Their purpose remains the same, to aide in fuel economizing. The images are that of a shifter with an arrow either above for Up Shift or below for Down. It can be described as a ball on a rod angled away from a two level base.

The ST symbol seen to the left is a Performance Shift Indicator. In vehicles so equipped, the indicator will be seen when the powertrain reaches the optimum upshift point. However, it will flash when the engine is close to hitting the engine speed limiter.

Another exception will be seen in gray scale in the vehicles information display. It appears as a gear – something that may be found inside a transmission – and is part of an electronic shift notification system. Performance Algorithm Liftfoot (PAL) or Performance Algorithm Shift (PAS).

Similar Symbol

Do not confuse the second image with the Settings Indicator symbol on the right. It is nearly identical to the bumpy circle used when referring to the transmission, but lacks any addition in the center and is shown in gray scale. The settings indicator will most generally be seen in the separate Information Display.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/11/up-shift-light-indicator/

Power and Sport Mode Indicators

Power, Sport Mode

These are Power and Sport Mode Indicator symbols. The abbreviation PWR stands for Power. The ‘S’, for sport, is in a bumpy circle , which is meant to be a transmission ring gear.

But first, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, then continue on below.
Otherwise return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

Whether it is from an electronically controlled transmission or throttle (ECT) or in a hybrid vehicle, any of the symbols indicate that the selected mode is active. The option controls the transmission electronically, and is chosen by buttons featuring the same symbol. The result is to keep the transmission in a lower gear longer for more powerful acceleration.

Another group of symbols are shown here. These are displayed in gray scale. The modes allow for additional power to be extracted from the high voltage battery, are found in instrument panel in a curved shape along the bottom of the circular portion of the information display. Seen as Sport, Sport S and Sport S+, they indicate the level of change applied to the vehicle’s suspension.

In electric or hybrid vehicles, featuring more powerful acceleration. Both the text symbol SPORT and the flag image are used. The flag image is most likely shown in gray scale in the instrument panel’s information center.

In more rare cases, the option may indicate control of the throttle in order allow more powerful or deliberate acceleration. There will likely be additional text with the abbreviation PWR. See the Acronyms page if it is not a whole word.

Do not confuse the second image featuring the letter S with the Settings Indicator symbol on the right. It is nearly identical to the bumpy circle used when referring to the transmission, but lacks any addition in the center and is shown in gray scale. The settings indicator will most generally be seen in the separate Information Display and is the what we have become used to seeing on our phones and computers.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/10/electronically-controlled-transmission-power-indicator/