All Wheel Steering
These are is a All Wheel Steering Systems Indicator symbols. The first light is used by one manufacturer for their Precision-All-Wheel-Steering (P-AWS) System, which depicts 4 wheels turned to one side, will appear for a few seconds when starting your vehicle. Another manufacturer uses it and the one next to it with a line drawn through, which indicates that only the front wheels are steering.
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This image belongs to another manufacturer using All Wheel Steering, but has the wheels turned in opposite directions. The line struck through denotes that the vehicle is in CrabWalk mode (click for more and see below) or a fault in the system if CrabWalk is not active. To the driver, either may look like random lines in a stick figure.
Seeing one of these symbols at any time other than startup indicates a problem with the All Wheel Steering system. The fault may limit the vehicle’s speed to 50 mph or less and you will need your dealer or authorized service center to attend to it.
All Wheel Steering systems monitor a vehicle’s response to road conditions while in motion and makes small adjustment to the relative rear wheel toe settings to help enhance vehicle control and stability.
The manufacturer notes that the toe setting of the rear wheels may get stuck in a non-centered setting if the system malfunctions while driving. At this time, the system may automatically limit the speed to 50 mph or less. Handling may be difficult as well. The vehicle will be safe to drive at the reduced speed, but don’t wait to have the problem addressed.
Related System
CrabWalk mode allows the driver to turn the rear wheels at the same angle as the front wheels, which enables the vehicle to move diagonally. Normal All Wheel Steering is then unavailable. Note the image to the right and 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