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.
- But first, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, continue on below.
- And check out the video.
- Otherwise return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again.
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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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.
These are the Headlamp Leveling System 
Do not confuse the symbols with one of these. Click 
These are the Automatic Headlight Dimmer indicator 
One manufacturer has chosen to combine the auto high beam indicator with the 
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.
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 
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. 
These are Active or Advanced Cruise Control (ACC) Indicator 
More variations of the symbol shows a car seemingly being followed by a double arrow, the back one of which is open. It may also appear as simply lane lines around broken lines or broken lines alone. It will show in 
These additional indicators may or may not appear to have lines radiating like heat waves from the roof. They are meant intended to imply a forward looking radar. The system is active if this indicator is shown.
In the case of these two images, both in green, the vehicle is seen “open” in the first image. That is, the color is not filled in, indicating that there is no vehicle ahead. In the second, the vehicle is colored in, indicating a vehicle is in fact ahead. The third image adds a distance control feature. The number of lines indicates the distance that will be maintained. The more lines, the greater the distance.
This indicator version attempts to show just the top of a speedometer with an arrow indicating where the speed is set. It doesn’t appear to offer any additional information, useful or otherwise. It appears in gray scale in the vehicle’s information display.
Variously called Radar Controlled, Adaptive Cruise Control (
More advanced systems have the added capability of adjusting a vehicle’s speed to account for an approaching curve in the road. The symbols shown are variations that may appear on the instrument panel indicating that the speed is being adjusted, likely down.
The symbols on the far left add the exclamation point to the car and speedometer and is in amber. They indicate a problem with the Smart or Active Cruise Control system that your dealer will need to resolve. 
These symbols are meant to indicate that the system’s radar or camera is blocked. To the left is one showing an arrow pointing the front of the vehicle (or a rectangle or box with two lines in it!) and to the right is one with the familiar exclamation point next to a car with lines in front of it (or behind it). The same is true of the gray scale image on the right as it would appear in a message area on the instrument panel.
Cruise Control Indicator 
This symbol variation, which adds the exclamation point and is in 
There are also a number of Text versions, that can be seen by following this link, including the combined text (Cruise) and image symbol seen here.
These are Fuel, Low Fuel and Fuel Sensor Indicator 
This symbol is a Fuel Sensor Fault Indicator. It indicates a failure of the sensor and that the level shown on the fuel gauge cannot be relied upon. It is identical to the fuel indicator, except that an exclamation point is added to one side.
This final version adds the letter and number H2 below the image of the pump. H2 stands for hydrogen and the symbol will be seen only in vehicles powered by the gas, and only when the fuel level drops.
Do not confuse this symbol with the one on the right. 
These are Lamp Out Indicator 
Modern LED (Light Emitting Diode) headlamps evidently require a new warning symbol variation. The shining headlamp, represented by a rounded triangle with lines emanating from it, with an exclamation point inside indicates a malfunction in an LED headlamp. The lines angle downward, likely indicating that the problem is with a low (dipped) beam light.
Polestar is using the image to the left to indicate a lamp malfunction. However, it should not be confused with the image to the right, which bears a strong resemblance. It is an