Tag: dashboard symbol

Child Safety Lock Malfunction Indicators

Child Safety Locks

These are Child Safety Lock Malfunction Indicator symbols. If the vehicle is equipped with a button on the driver’s door that activates the system, press it again. If the warning light or lights persist, have the system serviced as soon as possible.

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When it is turned on, the Child Safety Lock system disables the function of both the inner door handles and power window switches for the rear doors. It is an important safety feature designed to protect curious children from injury while passengers in a vehicle.

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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Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow.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/2024/06/child-safety-lock-malfunction-indicators/

Park Assist Systems Indicator Symbols

Park Assist

These are Park Assist Systems Indicator symbols. The green version will be visible when the system is activated and working. The manufacturer may refer to this as Intuitive Parking Assistance, Park Distance Control (PDC), etc. The gray scale version represents a more advanced system discussed below.

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

A problem in indicated If the symbols is seen in yellow/amber. See below. And that’s not all…

The systems use ultrasonic sensors on the front and rear to detect how close the vehicle is to surrounding objects. The first symbol itself is meant to show a “beam” detecting an object (the “traffic cone”) to help you park “P”. The cone is often been described by drivers as a sail.

More Versions

If the first symbol is illuminated or flashes in yellow/amber, there is a malfunction in the system or the sensors are dirty. The symbol may include an exclamation point. A good car washing may be all that is needed. The system has no impact on driving, so you may continue on your way, but do add extra care parking.

With the word OFF added, the system may simply have been turned off. If this is not intended, look for a switch with a matching symbol on it. If either of these indicators also flash, there is a malfunction in the system, which has turned it off.

A more advanced version offers the ability to actually find a parking space. When activated, the blue icon with the letter P inside will be seen. This Park Assist system then maneuvers the vehicle in to parallel and perpendicular parking spaces. The system controls the vehicle movement during a maneuver using the steering, acceleration, gear selection, and braking. The lamp illuminates blue when the park assist system is searching for a valid parking space, and can only be active when the vehicle’s speed is less than 18 mph (30 km/h).

Once again, this gray-scale version functions very much like the one above and is called Simple Advanced Parking Guidance System (S-APGS). It does not find spaces, but will control parking maneuvers once a spot is chosen. The system can handle parallel or back in parking.

If more than one valid space is displayed in the park assist screen, multiple icons will appear with an arrow to one side or the other. Touch the preferred parking space to change from the pre-selected parking space.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/03/park-assist-systems-indicator-symbols/

Dynamic Stability Control / Electronic Stability Program

Stability Control

This is a Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) or Electronic Stability / Stabilization Program (ESP) symbol. These are electronic suspension control systems combining elements of braking, steering and suspension to keep the vehicle under control. If an exclamation point is seen next to the symbol, it indicates a system failure.

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And check out the video.
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These are a unique set of symbols that are part of the main group of Stability Control indicators. It will have an on off switch, and will most often be lit if the system is turned off. Some manufacturers use the symbol to denote systems that they call Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) (meaning traction control) and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), which is disabled if a fault in the ASR is detected.

Note that Stability Control systems work by applying brake action to individual wheels when a loss of steering control is detected. Braking may be applied to an outer front wheel to counter oversteer, or an inner rear wheel to counter understeer. Its important to note that some systems, depending on the manufacturer, may reduce engine power until control is reestablished.

A flashing symbol likely means the system requires service. The inclusion of the ‘4 x 4’ is a variation in the appearance of the symbol used in 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Remember that these advanced systems come into play in extreme driving conditions, such as poor weather or rounding a curve excessively fast. Your vehicle is safe to drive with them disabled under most conditions. Contact your dealer or authorized service center for repairs.

Here’s a video describing when and how these lights may appear.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/03/dynamic-stability-control-electronic-stability-program/

Electronically Controlled Brake System Symbols

Brake Systems

This is first the ECB, or Electronically Controlled Brake Systems symbol, also known as Electronic Brake Force Distribution. Note that the only difference between this and the Canadian brake warning symbol – the exclamation point in a circle – is the color. Yellow/amber indicates a less serious problem than the red version. The electronic control represents a functional enhancement and may be inoperable, including a brake booster issue, but the brakes themselves will still operate.

But first, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, continue on below.
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Second, and before continuing, note that if you have a hybrid vehicle, at least one manufacturer uses the symbol above to indicate a problem with the Regenerative Brake System. Click the link for more.

However, as electronic control of overall brake systems expands, the symbol above is used in Canada to alert to a problem any part of the brake system controlled electronically. These can include Automatic Brake Hold or Electronic Parking Brake system issues, as well as those described above.

In the U.S., the text symbol to the left, Brake System, is used in yellow/amber. Again as above, the brakes themselves, as operated by the brake pedal, remains a hydraulic system and will continue to function normally.

However, if the red BRAKE text warning symbol is also lit, contact your dealer or authorized service center immediately.

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 color specify the nature of the problem.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/03/electronically-controlled-brake-system-symbols/

Supplemental Restraint System Air Bag Indicator Symbols

Supplemental Restraint

These are the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Air Bag Indicator symbols. Either of these warning lights indicate that a problem exists with one of the many airbags in the vehicle, which should be taken to the dealer or authorized service center as soon as possible. The picture symbol has been described as a beach ball on a lap.

But first, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, continue on below.
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In most later-model vehicles, the picture symbol replaces the original text symbol, SRS, shown to the above right. This was likely done to help non English-speaking motorists. Older vehicles used the simple Supplemental Restraint System acronym (SRS). And there’s still another…

Yet another version, used by some European manufacturers, is a simple Air Bag text symbol, as shown at left. All versions warn of a failure in one of the air bags, which can only be repaired by your dealer or authorized service center.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/03/supplemental-restraint-system-air-bag-indicator-symbols/

Automatic Headlight Dimmer or Malfunction Indicator Symbols

Auto Headlamps

These are the Automatic Headlight Dimmer indicator symbols. The system is also known as the High Beam Assistant. Shown in the traditional blue of the high beam indicator or in green, the symbols indicates that the high beams are on and that the system will automatically (AUTO or A) switch between the low and high headlight beams on the automobile depending on whether or not sensors detect oncoming vehicle head lights in the distance.

But first, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, continue below.
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The letter A may or may not be seen inside the drawing representing a lamp. The lines pointing out represent light. And believe it or not, similar systems have been available in some form on high-end vehicles since the 1950s!

More Versions

One manufacturer has chosen to combine the auto high beam indicator with the park light indicator. With the auto high beam system on, the symbol is seen in blue and green. With the high beam system off, the light is shown in white. The park lights are on in either instance.

This version, in gray, indicates that the high beams have been turned off because a light has been detected in front of the vehicle. The high beams will reactivate when the light is no longer detected.

This version is an Automatic Headlamp Dimmer Malfunction indicator symbol. It is displayed in yellow/amber. The letter A, for Automatic, sits inside the headlamp and an exclamation point is added to the side. The headlights themselves will continue to function in high or low beam, but they will need to be cycled manually.

Finally, there is this one from Audi which for some reason they use as an Automatic Wiper Fault Indicator as well. This looks like a hat or a lid open on one side with beams coming out of it to an oval shape in yellow/amber.

All these indicators use the shape of an old style headlamp with lines pointing outward, which are meant to be beams of light. There are others that use these elements, such as those to the right, so don’t confuse them. Click here to learn more.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/03/automatic-headlight-dimmer-or-malfunction-indicator-symbols/

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.

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

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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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/03/drivetrain-shift-or-powertrain-trouble-symbols/