Tag: dashboard symbol

Catalytic Converter Warning Symbol

Catalytic Converter

This is the Catalytic Converter Warning symbol. The image, which looks like flames, heat or wavy lines rising from a pipe, indicates an overheated, damaged or malfunctioning catalytic converter. The converter is vital to the proper operation of the engine, so some vehicles may reduce the engine’s power automatically. And of course, it will be very hot. The vehicle will require service immediately.

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

In newer vehicles, the sensors reading the catalytic converter trigger the Check Engine Light, one of hundreds of functions covered by the that particular warning symbol.

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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Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow.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.

M Favreau

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

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2011/11/1668/

Automotive Warning Light Anti-logic

There Is Little Logic In Warning Lights

We’ve taken thousands of calls in service departments over the years and there is nearly no end to the way drivers describe the various warning lights that pop up on their instrument panels. These, of course, are not car people, just average every day drivers trying to describe a symbol that was presumably designed to be universally understood around the globe.

The Best Example

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) symbol is the least understood of all and sees the greatest variation of descriptions. It is also what prompted us to pay attention to and collect more descriptions of other symbols. The TPMS light is supposed to be a slice or cutaway of a tire. In all our years in the automotive industry, we have never actually seen a tire slice or met someone who has seen one. How are average, every day drivers supposed to recognize it the first, second or even the third time they see it?

Some TPMS warning light description are:

An exclamation point in parenthesis
An exclamation point in brackets
An exclamation point in a horseshoe
Flames – destined to be a classic
A wishbone
An exclamation point in a fish bowl
An exclamation point in a cup
And, a real favorite, a candle in a glass!

Other Examples

The descriptions fall out of each person’s life experiences. So take the example of a recent call from a lady who was driving at the time (which is important to the story) who said there was a flashing red light on her dash. When asked to describe it, she said, “well maybe a man riding a horse”.

So, imagine someone who perhaps breeds horses, or simply rides them as a pastime. She’s driving and cannot actually stare at the warning light. Plus its flashing, which can give the illusion of movement. It turned out she was not wearing her safety belt and the Seat Belt Reminder light was on!

The example that really told us we had to post these, was a call that described a red warning light as a Genie’s lamp! We love it, and can only imagine the driver had just watched a favorite cartoon with her kids! It is, of course the Oil Pressure light. Most vehicles simply don’t go through oil like they did years ago, so seeing this light is actually quite rare, but no less important than it ever was. More to the point, the old style oil can image is completely missing from recent generations’ day to day experience. Thus it gets interpreted as something that actually is familiar.

This one was described as a “green dot with a line through it”. The driver was at the wheel at the time, which is the only explanation for that description for this Cruise Control symbol.

You’ll love this one. We’ve had a number of drivers call this one a “P with a sailboat next to it”! How a sailboat could ever be associated with a car is anyone’s guess, but this Park Assist symbol includes what is supposed to represent a radar signal bouncing off an obstruction. The obstacle looks just a bit too much like a sail.

This version of the differential lock symbol has been described as a letter H with an X in it. Some manufacturers include a tell tale with Os in it to indicate free wheeling. We await a tic tac toe game description from a driver!

This is easily recognized as an image of an automobile. However, it has eyelashes! Of course, the eyelashes actually represent light beams emanating from from lights. Tailights in this case. A light out indicator in fact.

Sadly, we’ve heard a dozen descriptions for the Check Engine light that have nothing to do with an actual engine seen from the side, and never thought to save them. We do remember one customer who called it a fan. At least there is one in the image!

Since first running this article, a customer called to talk about the movie camera light on her dash. We’ve also heard of a driver who thought it resembled a “personal underwater exploration vehicle”! The fan becomes a propeller. That light did not have the word “Check” embedded in it. And we just heard from a man whose son described what eventually turned out to be the Check Engine light as “three elongated circles with some lines connecting them.” We can’t see that no matter how hard we try!

Most recently came the possibility that it was a helicopter! Again, a version of the light without the word “Check”. Now, we can actually see this one from both the fan on the left and what is supposed to be an air cleaner at the top but how a driver in an automobile comes to think of a flying machine remains a mystery!

We’ll post more as they come up, for any and all symbols.

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M Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2011/11/automotive-warning-light-anti-logic/

Distance Warning Indicator Symbols

Distance Warning

These are Distance Warning Indicator or Vehicle Detection Indicator symbols. It is a warning that a vehicle in front is too close or is being approached too quickly, or that a stationary obstacle exists in the direction of travel. It may be a stand alone system or a part of some manufacturers’ active cruise control systems.

- Before moving on, are you sure this is your symbol??
- If not, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

The first image shows a car inside a red triangle. The second shows a vehicle in a gray scale star-like structure. It would appear in the vehicle’s information display. In any case, it is likely time to apply the brakes, and if you’re reading this now, you clearly did!

The last two are similar showing one car approaching another with a line and exclamation point in between in yellow/amber with a final one in red. The difference is that the cars are whole or in part, which makes the image easier to interpret. Depending on manufacturer the color may move to red as the distance shrinks and is deemed to small.

Similar Symbols

Note that the symbols to the right are very similar and have a similar function. Click here to learn more.

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M Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2011/09/distance-warning-indicator-symbol/

Attention Assist Indicator Symbols

Attention Assist

The image of a steaming hot cup of coffee is an Attention Assist Indicator symbol. For some manufacturers the symbol is part of a Driver Alert System. If the vehicle is equipped with the option, the symbol will be shown after a pre-set period of time suggesting a break from driving. It will be accompanied by a warning tone and a text message on the instrument panel’s display.

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

The color of the symbol is not really relevant, but may be seen in black and white, red or yellow/amber/orange. It does not indicate a fault in the car, it is simply used to alert the driver that he or she has been behind the wheel an extended period of time.

And immediately after saying that color does not indicate a fault in the alert system, we find this symbol, in yellow/amber/orange. It does indeed indicate a fault in the system, which should be addressed as soon as possible. Consult the your car’s owner manual to determine if it is a fault light, particularly if you have not been driving long.

More Versions

Another manufacturer adds the exclamation point, as seen in the symbol to the right, if the vehicle detects that it is being driven erratically. An audible tone is also added and likely a text message. The tone and message will be repeated if the driving pattern continues.

Finally, we have this version. Updated systems are able to detect a driver nodding off at the wheel! And so this symbol, which is a bell with three letter Zs, is shown and accompanied by a warning tone. This will continue until the driver turns it off. This part of the system is also limited by the ability to see the driver’s eyes. See more on this subject here.

If you see any of these symbols, it would be wise to take a break!

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M Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2011/08/attention-assist-indicator-symbol/

Water in Fuel Indicator Symbols

Water in Fuel

These are all Water in Fuel Indicator symbols found in diesel powered vehicles. Diesel powered vehicles are equipped with separators that remove water from the fuel. Note that if you have just re-fueled, the fuel may be contaminated. The engine should be switched off as soon as possible or the fuel injection system could be damaged.

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!

Each image includes at least a drop of water or wavy lines or both. Other images are meant to resemble canisters. These filters need to be serviced periodically, and one of these lights serves to tell you when. This filter system is termed a Diesel Fuel Conditioner Module (DFCM) by some manufacturers. The final image looks like a tank or box with lines in the bottom half and a possible open area at the top.

So unless as noted above you have just refueled, the vehicle is safe to drive, but the water should be drained as soon as possible.

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M Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2011/08/water-in-fuel-indicator-symbols/

Glow Plug, Battery Conditioning Indicator

Glow Plug

As of 2024, this indicator has two uses. Its origin is as a Glow Plug Indicator symbol, which is found only in diesel-powered vehicles, sedans or trucks. The second is as a Battery Conditioning indicator, where an Electric Vehicle’s (EV) main battery is being conditioned prior to charging.

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

Diesel engines require heat in the cylinders to operate, which is supplied initially by the glow plugs when the engine is cold. This light will be illuminated when the ignition is turned on until the plugs are heated sufficiently to start the engine. The engine simply won’t start until then. The image will look like a coil or loops in amber or yellow.

In the EV, the light is only seen during battery conditioning. This process warms a cold battery to allow it to accept a charge more quickly.

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M Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2011/08/glow-plug-indicator-symbol/

4 Wheel Active Steer Warning Symbol

4 Wheel Steer

This is the 4 Wheel Active Steer (4WAS) Warning Indicator Symbol. If the light comes on while the engine is running, it may indicate that there is a malfunction in the 4WAS system. If a malfunction has occurred in the system, the 4WAS function will not function, but the vehicle can be steered and can continue to be driven with caution. Only the rear wheel steering is deactivated.

Before continuing, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
Otherwise you can return to our main Text Symbols page and scan again!

This is an electronic system, so the manufacturer may recommend turning the ignition Off and back On to cycle the engine and the 4WAS system. The light may then go out. If the light does not resolve, see your dealer or authorized repair center.

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M Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2011/07/4-wheel-active-steer-warning-symbol/