Auto Headlamps
These are all 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.
- Otherwise return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!
The letter A may or may not be seen inside the drawing representing a lamp. in fact, it often just seems like a game of where else can we drop the letter A! 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 scale or black and white, 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. The starker black and white indicates the system is on and working.
Frustratingly, this version, also in black and white, means exactly the opposite — it means that the automated system is on and ready for use! This means that you’ll need to consult your car’s manual to be sure what the light actually means.
These versions are Automatic Headlamp Dimmer Malfunction indicator symbols. They are displayed in yellow/amber/orange. The letter A, for Automatic, sits inside two of the headlamps and an exclamation point is added to the side in one. The other has the word AUTO inside and the color alone is used to indicate a problem. 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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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 Lamp Out Indicator 
Note right here that the light to the left if seen in black and white on a Polestar instrument panel means that Trailer Lights are under test. It looks exactly like the first two images above but does not indicate a fault!
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 
This symbol is a Brake Trouble Indicator symbol. They could indicate a serious problem with the brakes. However, the light will also be on when the hand, or emergency, brake is engaged.
This symbol is a Parking Brake Indicator. There are a number of considerations. The symbol to the right simply indicates that the parking, or emergency brake is engaged. Be sure to disengage the parking or emergency brake before driving.
One of the first idiot lights, this warning light features an old-school oil can. It is the Oil Level or Oil Pressure warning lights or symbol. A wavy line below the oil can indicates the oil level is low. Without the wavy line, your engine is telling you that the oil pressure is low.
There are several versions of the dreaded Check Engine Light, and this one is the most common. It is one of the oldest of the symbols that you may see. The word “Check” may appear inside the image, or below, or not at all.
One of the original idiot lights, at least in red, this is the Temperature Warning light or symbol. In red, it indicates quite simply that the engine temperature is too high. If you see this light, your vehicle should be stopped and the engine turned off as quickly as possible. Turning on the heater to the highest setting will remove some of the heat as well. Contact your dealer or authorized service center as soon as possible.
This is the Master Warning Light symbol, in red. If this light is on, there will likely be text displayed as well on the instrument panel, or another warning light. Look for text in particular. It could very well point out something as serious as low oil pressure. However, despite the serious look to the symbol, it is generally associated with simple reminders such as a door ajar or that it is time to change the oil.
This is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) or Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) warning light symbol. It is also used as Flat Tire Monitor (FTM), which seems redundant. The tell-tale comes on when the inflation on one of the tires is reduced about 25% or more. In most cases, that will be about eight pounds. This is easily the most misunderstood symbol you will ever see on your instrument panel.
The image of a car with squiggly or wavy lines behind it is the Slip Indicator symbol. When a vehicle detects slippery conditions, its stability or traction control system is activated. The light will flash, irregularly in some vehicles, indicating that the system is doing its work, helping to keep the vehicle in control.
This is a Reduced Engine Power Indicator. Only a handful of manufacturers use this light, which comes on automatically with a reduction in the vehicle’s performance. Given what is likely an obvious reduction in power and acceleration, the symbol itself becomes redundant. The image is the same one used for the Check Engine Light above, with the added arrow pointing down.
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.
This is the primary Key Fob Indicator. A number of picture symbols are used to indicate the presence of an electronic key in a push button or, ironically, keyless start, or keyless ignition, vehicle. These systems will allow a vehicle to be started only when an electronic key is present in, and detected by, the vehicle.
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 laser sensor is clean, when it is safe to do so.
Cruise Control Indicator light in text form. This light is illuminated when the cruise control is engaged. It is perfectly straightforward, as opposed to the two image symbols below that are now often used in its place.
This is the most common Check Gas Cap Indicator symbol. It is one of the few things the average driver can do anything about. The image, which is really half of a car with an unscrewed gas cap, can look like a water pitcher with a screw or bolt next to it.
These are Park Assist 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. It looks like a sail with lines radiating from it!
This is a Low Windshield Washer Fluid Indicator symbol. Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir as soon as possible. The image actually resembles an open hand-held fan, which is supposed to be the windshield. The dashed lines represent two steams of water.
The acronyms AFS and AFLS in these symbols or indicators stand for Adaptive Front-lighting System or Adaptive Front Lighting System. The difference is very subtle and is the result of a manufacturer choice only.
This symbol is a Tail Light Indicator symbols. The replacement of a light bulb or two will restore order. Some manufacturers add a text message in the instrument panel noting exactly which light is out. The symbol is often described as eyelashes coming out of the back of a car!
This symbol is the High Beam On indicator. The light is active only when the high beams are active (turned on) and has been a standard in vehicles for decades. It is one of only a select few presented in a blue color.
This the Fog Lamp Indicator symbol. The indicator in green is active only when the fog lamps are activated. The wavy or squiggly line crossing straight ones is meant to indicate light passing through the fog.
These are Headlamp Out Indicator symbols. One or more of the headlamp bulbs is burned out or malfunctioning. This is another symbol that may utilize an exclamation point, which always indicates a problem, even if its in the green color. Another symbol in yellow/amber only is an alternative Lamp Out indicator.
A completely unneeded symbol expands the auto headlamps page
Auto headlamps
We added a new symbol to our auto headlamps page, courtesy of Lincoln. A completely unnecessary move of the letter A to outside the representation of the lamp!
The page now holds 14 very, very similar images, all of which represent a system that turns the high beams on and off by sensing the headlights of oncoming vehicles and the taillights of vehicles ahead.
We’ll keep saying it: the more symbols that are created the more useless the entire indicator light system becomes.
Absolutely, unequivocally, unbelievably stupid. And there are more on the page. Different colors, added words, etc. Where does it end??
Cars are changing, and among those changes is the growing number of symbols and indicators that will invariably show up on your dashboard or instrument panel. Every year, new features are added to vehicles, each of which is accompanied by a new symbol or symbols and likely a new acronym.
At DashboardSymbols.com, our aim is to help you understand what is happening to your vehicle at the first sign of trouble – a new warning light illuminated on your instrument panel. Its all here on this website. Our first intention is to bring the latest technologies down to earth and understandable for everyday drivers.
You can see the Auto Headlamps page here.
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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