Tag: dashboard symbol

Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Brake Assist (BAS) Trouble Indicator

ESP/BAS

This combined system warning indicator covers the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and the Brake Assist System (BAS). These systems work together, and a fault in either, or both, will cause the light to come on. If it remains on, see your dealer or authorized service center as soon as possible.

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ESP is what one manufacturer calls its Stability Control System. Click this link to learn more. BAS helps in emergency braking situations when the driver can’t push the brake pedal hard enough. A sensor recognizes the attempt at full braking and transmits the signal calling for full brake pressure from the hydraulic booster reducing the vehicle’s stopping distance.

This is essentially the same as the BAS/ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation) system, but do match the acronyms. You can learn more about BAS/ASR here.

The systems are all electronic enhancements. The enhancements will not be available until repairs are performed. However, the brakes will operate normally and the vehicle will be safe to drive. Do so with care.

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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Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow.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/2010/11/esp-bas-trouble-indicator/

Electronic Throttle Control Indicator

Electronic Throttle

This is the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Indicator symbol. This light, a lightning bolt between reversed brackets or parenthesis, will illuminate if there is a problem in the electronic throttle control system. It may be seen in red or yellow/amber. As an electronic system, it can sometimes be reset by restarting the car, much or exactly like re-booting a computer.

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

If the system and the light do not reset with a restart, the vehicle should be drivable, but your dealer or authorized service center will need to service the system soon.

Note however, that if your vehicle does not operate normally, contact roadside assistance right away.

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M Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/11/electronic-throttle-control/

Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) Off Indicator

Brake Assist

This is an Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) Off Indicator symbol. IBA uses lasers to identify approaching obstacles and applies the brakes accordingly. The light comes on when the IBA switch is turned off. If the light comes on while the system is on, it is either unavailable temporarily or is malfunctioning. Check that the sensors are clean, but only when it is safe to do so.

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

Another manufacturer calls this Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) but does not feature a warning light for it. Regardless, the vehicle can still be driven safely if the system is inoperable, but your dealer or authorized repair center will need to service it.

These systems are all moving in the direction of automatic braking, which all manufacturers have promised to install in all passenger vehicles by roughly 2020. There is more information on automatic braking here.

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M Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/11/intelligent-brake-assist-iba-off-indicator/

Blind Spot Monitor Warning or System Symbols

Blind Spot Monitor

These are Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) Warning or Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Blind Spot Alert (BSA) System (left) or BLind spot Information System (BLIS) (right) or Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) symbols. Yet another instance of essentially identical systems end up with manufacturer-dependent names for reasons that are not at all clear.

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

The light or symbol, often seen on the far corners of outside mirrors themselves, will illuminate when a vehicle is detected in the blind spot. Also seen on mirrors are simple yellow/amber lines in many models.

The light will flash while the turn signal is operated. Manufacturers who employ the light on the instrument panel also employ an indicator lamp on the inside of the mirror to draw attention to side of the vehicle being intruded upon.

The systems monitor the areas on either side of the vehicle just behind the driver and front passenger for unseen vehicles and obstructions. The indicator lights look like vehicles pointing a beam at another vehicle, which is pretty much what it is doing.

Note that these systems are evolving to active duty. That is, if an obstructive is detected in the area covered, the vehicle will move itself out of the way (Blind Spot Intervention above).

Many More Versions

System problems are generally indicated by a separate alert and text message in the instrument panel. These may include the Blind Spot Alert Malfunction indicator at the left. The word OFF added to the image means that the option has been switched off or has malfunctioned. The last one is the same symbol as seen above in red. A malfunction will not effect any driving systems, so you may continue on your way. Blind Spot Monitoring will not be available, however.

This version displays only the sensors used for blind spot detection. If seen in black and white, as shown here, the system is unavailable, likely because the sensors are dirty. A text message will be seen with the symbol in the information screen. If the system is working properly, the symbol will be displayed in green.

Alternatively or in conjunction with the symbols above, text symbols with the acronym BSM, or Blind Spot Monitor, or BSM OFF, may be seen on the instrument panel. BSM alone in green simply indicates the system is on. On of the symbols above will be seen in the outside mirrors themselves.

BSM alone and in yellow/amber indicates a problem with the system. If on continuously, BSM OFF indicates the system has been turned off. If flashing, BSM OFF indicates a problem with the system. See your dealer or authorized service center for repairs. The vehicle can be driven without the benefit of the advanced system.

This one is used by Audi. It may be the clearest concept, in that it is the image of a car in a mirror! It is the Audi Side Assist Indicator, and, if seen, points to a fault in the system. When the light is on, the assist system is inoperative and will not detect vehicles alongside your car. Find a dealer or authorized repair station soon.

Some manufacturers use an indicator in gray scale is seen when the system is activated. It uses large triangles on either side of an image of a vehicle to show the area covered by sensors. If there is a system problem, a text message will appear. Both are seen in the center information display.

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M Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/11/blind-spot-warning-system-symbol/

Daytime Running Lamps Symbols

Running Lamps

These are the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) symbols. One of these lights will be on in green with small dots or lines radiating out from an oval shape intended to represent a lamp whenever the running lamps are switched on. A DRL system is required on all vehicles sold new in Canada. The system causes the low-beam headlamps to be turned on when the car is being operated in daylight. So, why are they green?

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

In some European models, the text symbol DRL is shown when the running lights are in use. They are active when the light switch is off and the ignition is on. The green color is meant only to show that the lights are on and working.

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M Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/11/daytime-running-lamps-symbol/

Overdrive (O/D) Off Indicator

Overdrive

This is an Overdrive (O/D) Off Indicator symbol. This states simply that the vehicle’s overdrive capability has been turned off. If this was not intended, look for an overdrive on/off switch, most likely on the center console or possibly on the dashboard.

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M Favreau

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2010/11/overdrive-off-indicator/

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.

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Otherwise return to our main Picture Symbols page or Text Symbols page and scan again!

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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M Favreau

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