Low Brake Pad
This a Low Brake Pad warning light. Some vehicle manufacturers include this symbol, which is intended to notify you that your vehicle’s brake pads are worn, or low, and need servicing. The dashed lines are meant to represent the pads themselves, with the circle representing the brake disk. Your brakes may also pulse or squeak as a warning when the brake pads are low.
- But first, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, continue below.
- Otherwise return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!
This version uses a simple and very easy to understand text symbol, BRAKE WEAR, in red. As with other warnings, there may also be an audible squeak or a physical pulse when applying the brakes. Do not ignore any of these warnings. Have your brakes checked and relined as soon as possible.
This one includes the acronym CCB inside the traditional brake components symbol (see the note below). CCB stands for Carbon Ceramic Brake, a material not typically used in brake pads. The lines around the circle are not broken, but the light still indicates that the pads are worn and need to be replaced.
Please be aware that if the brake pads are allowed to wear too much, damage will be done to the brake rotors, which are the metal component of the brake system that the pads contact when pressing the brake pedal. The light will not give you an indication as to how long you can drive before this occurs, so contact an authorized service center or your dealer as soon as possible. Damage aside, good brakes are essential to your safety!
Note that the symbol of a circle with “brackets” on either side, broken or otherwise, represents brake components. What is shown inside and the details of the “brackets” and/or color specify the nature of the problem.
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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
This is a Low Traction Launch Indicator 
Do not confuse the indicator with the one seen at the right. It too features a wheel or tire, but is one of far too many Traction Control Indicator options. 
These are Diesel Exhaust Brake Indicator 
Automatic or Smart Exhaust Brake can be enabled by pushing the exhaust brake button again anytime after the normal Full Exhaust Brake has been turned on. The Exhaust Brake Indicator will change from 
These are various Traffic Sign Recognition System Indicator 
With two exceptions these images are displayed in black and white in the vehicles message center. The first 
To the far left is first Regenerative Brake Warning Indicator 
This version may be seen and is a Limited Regenerative Braking indicator. It is not a fault indicator but is actually a function of the battery’s state of charge. If the battery is full, regenerative braking must be limited as there is no storage available for additional electrons. The symbol starts with the traditional symbol — although the brakes themselves are not involved: the circle inside brackets with the addition of a lightning bolt.
The symbols to right are also used as Regenerative Braking Indicators. 
The dozens of images on this page are all Drive Mode Indicators 
Shown first (above) are variations for the most common – SPORT and ECO. However, these symbols continue to evolve and there are many, many more to discuss. In fact, you might want to check the bottom of the page first for the senselessly long list of additional symbols that have evolved over the years…
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 
This is an N Launch Control indicator. The symbol is seen when N Launch is chosen. N Launch provides maximum acceleration when the vehicle is at a complete stop, which truthfully sounds like what any vehicle has when the accelerator is floored. However, N Launch is a special case from Hyundai in their Ionic 5 and 6 model EVs. When N Launch is selected, in use the brake and accelerator pedals are fully depressed. The car is “launched” when the brake pedal is released. N Launch is cancelled when the accelerator is released.
Subaru has gone wild with six new images. The first is associated with the Subaru Intelligent (SI) Drive system, a system we already discuss here. The first image is yet another Sport Mode indicator that adds the hash tag to become Sport Sharp Mode, which makes the throttle more responsive. The entire SI Drive option is also now found in non-hybrid vehicles from the manufacturer. It originally was designed to help manage the hybrid’s battery life.
Of the remaining five drive modes, all are new renditions of existing modes found from other manufacturers. In order, they are: Sport, Sport+, Individual, Comfort, and Normal Modes. Subaru itself already a simple Sport Mode, but opted yet again to make a new image. The outlier is the Star, where others, including Subaru have used a simple capital I for Individual, or actually spelled the word out (below).
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 and an Excite Mode Indicator, which is essentially the same thing, 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.
These are Power or Torque Limitation Indicator 
One manufacturer uses these two images to indicate reduced power due to weather or temperature conditions. The first, in