Charge System
One of the original “idiot” lights, the symbol to the left indicates a serious problem with the Charging System. The vehicle should be brought to a complete stop as quickly as possible or the vehicle may simply stop running in the middle of traffic. Roadside assistance will be necessary.
- But, before we continue, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then read on.
- Otherwise return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!
In most cases, there are two possible scenarios: a bad battery, which will not allow itself to be charged, or a failing alternator, which is no longer sending enough charge to the battery. In either case, your vehicle will soon stop running. In some cases, a failing alternator will cause a weak battery to fail as well, and both will need to be replaced.
Note that Electric Vehicles (EVs) also use a 12-volt battery for start up, and this same symbol may be displayed. It is an issue with the low voltage battery (12-volt) not the high voltage battery and points out an issue either with charging the 12-volt battery or with the battery itself.
Similar Symbol
Note that if the word Main is seen beneath the battery image, the light is actually a Hybrid Battery Trouble Indicator. The vehicle’s hybrid battery must be serviced by your dealer or qualified service professional as soon as possible.
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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Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow.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
This is a Hybrid Battery Overheat Indicator 
Similarly, this symbol is a Traction Battery Coolant Fluid Level Low indicator. Seen primarily in some hybrid vehicles is a battery cooling system that, much like a typical internal combustion engine requires a cooling fluid that may require topping off occasionally.
The symbol to the left, also featuring a wavy line at the bottom, is the traditional Low Coolant symbol is use for decades for internal combustion engines. But, as of 2024, it may be found in Kia hybrid vehicles and would be displayed when the coolant used by the vehicle’s electrical inverter is low. Driving without sufficient amount of coolant for a prolonged period of time can cause serious problems with the vehicle’s electrical equipment.
Do not confuse the first symbol with the similar one to the right, which is a catalytic converter. 
This 
These are (Electric Vehicle) 
These variations also leave out the word mode. The first indicates that the vehicle is being driven as an electric vehicle only, as above. But the second symbol adds what is intended to be a clock in the corner. It means that EV mode and the high voltage battery is being saved for a more useful and economical time. It does not and can not indicate a specific time. The last one, with the line through the E and an arrowed circle, indicates that high voltage battery does not have enough juice to operate the vehicle without the help of the gas engine.
These symbols come by way of Jeep and their new hybrid models, and are Hybrid Drive Mode Indicators. They are seen in white in the information screen. In Electric (EV) Mode, the car runs exclusively on the high-voltage battery until its charge is used up. In Hybrid Mode, the vehicle operates on whatever on all the internal combustion engine and battery power available. In e-Save mode, the battery is reserved for later use.
This is a Green Zone Indicator. It depends on navigation information to tell a hybrid model to extend the use of EV mode in urban areas to protect the local atmosphere. These areas may be parks, hospitals, schools, and the like. Green zone operation can be expanded by the vehicle depending on driver history.
Finally, these three are associated with Subaru Intelligent (SI) Drive system. As in other cases, the system is designed to maximize hybrid battery life. ‘I’ indicates that intelligent mode is selected, where battery life is automatically maximized. ‘S’ indicates that sport mode is chosen, providing increased performance and leaving battery life in the driver’s hands.