Turn Signals
These are Turn Signal Indicator symbols. The arrows flash individually in green with the turn signal switch and together with the hazard switch. There is nothing special here – these symbols have been shown on instrument clusters for decades.
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In yellow/amber/orange, there is a fault in the turn signals. This is a warning light, and will be seen as displayed here. The lights above will not likely be seen together as represented here. Rather they will be separated and placed on either side of the instrument panel.
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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Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow.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 Low Coolant Warning lights. With or without the arrow or “chimney”, their meaning is somewhat straightforward, in that the engine’s cooling system is low on fluid. Topping off the cooling system with the proper fluid may resolve the issue. Please do this only when the engine is cool! Repeat, may resolve the issue.
The shape of the symbols is meant to resemble a radiator and the wavy lines at the bottom indicates fluid level. The waves have also been described as mountains! They are used in a number of symbols and when seen usually means the coolant level is low.
This is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (
This text version simply says Flat Tire. While this may seem like it would be obvious to a driver, in truth the pressure in a tire can be very, very low and not result in a large change in the handling of some vehicles.
Many manufacturers now add a symbol or information display image that will highlight the tire or tires that are low on air, like the image to the left. Regardless of the symbol seen, the upshot is this: If your are at high speed, reduce your speed. If the tires do not seem to be visually low, it is likely safe to proceed to the nearest service station. The TPMS system will tell you when a tire is low, yes, but one of them leaking quickly, i.e. a single highlighted tire, is a greater danger.
This version features two arrows pointing at a ball in the center. It is most commonly found on a reset button on the dash, if one exists. It can, however, show up on the instrument panel of older vehicles and likely means that the system needs to be reset or could mean that a tire is low as well. Regardless, the tire pressures must be checked for the sake of safety.
This light holds the system’s primary acronym, TPMS. It 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.
Last but not least, this bit of silliness offers a different twist. It is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System Light Load indicator. It illuminates to confirm that the load setting is selected. It appears in black and white as the same slice of a tire, but with a feather inside. The setting essentially tells the TPMS system to expect lower tire pressures, as there is little loading inside the vehicle.
One of the original “idiot” lights, the 
Note that if the word Main is seen beneath the battery image, the light is actually a 
These are variants of Exhaust Particulate Filter Warning 
The symbols to the left indicates that the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) (AdBlue) is low. The fluid creates a catalytic reaction that removes particles from the exhaust. When low, the fluid must be topped off. The fluid will need to be replaced if it is contaminated. To the right is another particle filter symbol. It may appear with an exclamation point in it indicating a failure of the system or that engine emissions are too high. Contact your dealer or authorized service center in order to properly address any failures.
Note that the diesel symbols seen to the right may be in play as well. 
Here we show three versions of the Check Gas Cap Indicator 
Because, if you ignore one of these lights, the Check Engine light will likely come on next. So, if you see this light, or the text image below, stop the vehicle in a safe place and make sure the gas cap is tightened properly (to at least one click).
These are all Traction and Active Traction Control Indicator 
These symbols indicate Dynamic Traction Control (
(below) will also be illuminated if any of these system variants is turned off using its control switch. If an OFF symbol is not used by the manufacturer, one of the symbols shown will simply remain lit. Again, if the system has not been turned off, have the system serviced as soon as possible.
One of these lights will be active when the traction control system is switched off and is generally 
This indicator, TRAC. MODE, means that the Stability Control System has been turned off and that a Traction Control Mode may be chosen to suit the driver or the conditions. This is usually an off-road or racing option.
These symbols indicate a malfunction in the traction control or a related