Speed Limiting
These are Speed Limiter and Automatic or Active or Adaptive Speed Limiter (ASL) Indicator symbols. They illuminate when a speed has been set and the limiter is active. It will appear in green unless or until the set speed is reached when it turns yellow/amber.
- Before continuing, are you sure one of these is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
- Otherwise you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!
The two versions seen to the left start in white inside the message center when the system is on and available. It turns to green, like the third image, or yellow/amber, depending on the manufacturer, when a speed is set. The set speed will be shown separately in the message center and will flash if the speed is exceeded.
In the first example, the set speed is displayed in the image, which is a half or three quarter circle with the letter LIM shown below. The partial circle is likely meant to be a dial. The second image image is that of a broken dial like a speedometer with a marked range indicated by a double-ended arrow. It also gives the appearance of a clock. The acronym ASL is added. The third image is much like the first.
This version replicates an actual speed limit sign that would be seen on any highway coast-to-coast in North America. It would be displayed in the information center along with a depiction of the car travelling on the highway. It is known as Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), which is uses information from the detected road signs and uses the navigation system data to inform of the speed limit and to help maintain the proper speed automatically.
Alternatively, a speed may be chosen and set which will appear in blue, which indicates the system is active. It is associated with Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control.
The image styles are a manufacturer choice, and the one with the speed shown is only marginally more informative than the other.
A step ahead is a system from Fisker Inc. that adds the detection of a road’s speed limit and adjusts the vehicle’s speed accordingly. As part of the company’s Advanced Diver Assistance System (ADAS), Fisker Intelligent Pilot, or Fi-Pilot, uses the symbols to the left to indicate that the system is available, in gray scale or on, in blue.
Other Symbols
These images include the exclamation point and indicates a malfunction in the Speed Limiter system. The numerals found in the first image above are replaced by a broken line. The system will be unavailable until it is serviced by a qualified shop. Note that the system is a part of the cruise control system, and it too may be unavailable.
The system uses the cruise control speed adjustment to set a speed limit. The set limit will likely be displayed in a message screen. When set, the engine will respond normally up to the set speed. The vehicle will not accelerate beyond the set speed unless sudden, rapid acceleration is needed and applied forcing the transmission to kick down to a lower gear. Speed limitation is then suspended.
Related Symbol
The symbol to the right is from an Active system and may be related. Click here for more.
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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
These are Start/Stop System Function and Trouble Indicator symbols. The first picture symbol, an exclamation point in a circular arrow, is used in Canada and overseas. U.S. models use the third version in text. Despite the term “Starter System”, it does not indicate a bad starter motor, but rather a problem with the Start/Stop system. The i-stop System works in the same manner but under an odd name. These indicators may also flash when indicating they are indicating a malfunction.
The circle shaped arrow or double arrow is a standard icon for Start/Stop systems, whether it indicates a problem or simply says the system is on or off. The exclamation point, however, does indicate a problem with the system. The strike through indicates the system is off. If it flashes, there is a fault in the system.
This image with the ‘A’ inside and the exclamation point outside is used in Europe. The ‘A’ stands for Automatic Start/Stop, as its function takes place without a driver’s intervention. Note that if a problem with the system occurs, the vehicle can be operated normally. It will simply function without the fuel saving benefit of the Start/Stop and your dealer will need to be contacted.
Start/Stop systems are fuel saving systems that allow a gasoline-powered engine to shut down at typical idle times, such as at red lights, and restart with the touch of the gas pedal. If a problem occurs, the engine can be restarted using the Start/Stop button. The images to the left are more variation. The first adds the Economy abbreviation ECO inside the circling arrow to make the point that, when operating, the system adds to fuel economy. It represents an Intelligent Start/Stop System, which is no more than a naming inconsistency. The second simply notes that the Start Stop, or Auto Stop, system is active.
These two black and white indicators will ultimately be driving drivers nuts. On, off, crossed out or not? The images are being used in message centers found between the dials on instrument clusters, which makes this a departure from our attention to the red, amber, green and blue icons used on the remainder of the instrument panel.
These are the All Wheel Drive (
Of course, if the vehicle is electric (EV), it gets its own indicators. The only reason to do this is that the All-Wheel Drive system is actually electric. In 
The symbol to the left also includes a stick figure image meant to look like four wheels with the front wheels turned to the right. All these lights incorporate the AWD acronym and may include an exclamation point. Malfunctions may be indicated by the system before a real problem is obvious, but don’t waste time. Have the system checked out as soon as possible.
Some older vehicles use this red 
The picture symbols shown to the right are very much related. 
These are all variations of of Keyless Ignition Key Fob Detection indicators. A number of 
The flashing 
This one, which is an image of a key with a line drawn through it in 
Note that some manufacturers will have the light flash in 
These are Key Fob Indicator 
These symbols are Low Key Battery Indicators. The images of a key are shown above or alongside the image of what most resembles a AA or AAA battery with its level low. One adds the letter E for empty to the right. Replace the battery as soon as possible. They do NOT use AA or AAA batteries!
Electronic keys, key fobs, remote controls, smart keys, intelligent keys, advanced keys are all terms used by manufacturers and drivers to describe the same device. You get to get into and start your vehicle only if the correct device is present, has a working battery and is not interfered with by other electronics (actually rare). All the images include the representation of a key and depending on the manufacturer, may include an exclamation point, a question mark or even a lightning bolt.
Do not confuse these with other automotive trouble symbols that make use of the image a key. Click 
The 
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 
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 
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 
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 
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 
The image of a steaming hot cup of coffee is an Attention Assist Indicator 
And immediately after saying that color does not indicate a fault in the alert system, we find this symbol, in 
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
Seven Things to Know About Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
Know Your TPMS
Its Fall (2014) and time once again for your car’s equivalent of Seasonal Affective Disorder, your Tire Pressure Monitoring System or TPMS. If equipped, one of the two TPMS warning indicators shown will soon attempt to get your attention (Drivers most commonly describe the lights as horseshoes with exclamation points or arrows in them but they are actually a “slice” of a tire). Here are seven things you should know about TPMS.
Unlike any other yellow/amber or red light, these indicators do not normally point to a problem with the car. Rather they are meant to inform. It may be annoying, but the light is doing its job and alerting you to the risk of low tire pressure.
The light comes on (first) in the fall primarily because air shrinks when it cools. So as autumn takes hold and the weather cools, the air in your tires—including the spare—will shrink causing the pressure in your tires to go down. If you are fortunate enough to have a system that also shows the actual pressure in your tires, you will be able to see that they have all “lost” the same amount of pressure.
3)
If the cause is cold weather, no air has actually been lost – it is simply that the existing air is no longer capable of filling the same space! In colder climates, you will likely be prompted to add air to your tires two or three times before the onset of spring. Note that tires will warm while driving, and so the light may resolve itself after a few miles. You will see the light again once the tires cool down. Also, if you garage your vehicle at night, you may only see the light while out and about in the cool air, which can be confusing.
The text indicator, TPMS, is a Malfunction Indicator only. If your vehicle is equipped with this additional tell tale and it remains lit, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System is not operating and needs to be checked by a qualified repair facility.
5)
If your vehicle has only the picture symbols AND there is a malfunction, the indicator will flash. Have it checked by a qualified repair facility.
6)
Do not ignore the possibility that one tire may have picked up a nail or other object and is actually leaking air. This will activate the same warning light. Make a visual inspection of your tires any time the light comes on. A leaking tire will quite likely look “flatter” than the other three. Get to your favorite service department fast!
7)
No other system in your car requires attention due to the season! Fortunately, the cure is relatively simple, and while service departments dislike the annoyance of constant calls regarding TPMS light “trouble” in the fall, most will check and refill your tires at no cost. After all, they will and should be happy to have you available for additional service!
And finally, if your car is NOT equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, your tires will still need some seasonal help. Check your tire pressures!
Related posts and videos:
https://dashboardsymbols.com///2010/09/tire-pressure-monitoring-system/
TPMS video.
And this one, helping you fill your tires!
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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