Tag: steering wheel

Power Steering or Electronic Power Steering Trouble Light

Power Steering

This is the Power Steering or Electronic Power Steering warning light or symbol. The exclamation point is used here, a common sight with newer warning lights, alongside the image of a steering wheel. This is a warning, indicating a problem with the steering system. Depending on the manufacturer, it may appear in red or yellow/amber.

There may be hope, but first, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then continue below.
Otherwise return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

If it is an electronic system, there is a chance it can be “reset”. Pull over as soon as possible and shut down the engine and restart it. If the warning light does not go out you will need to take the vehicle to your dealer or authorized repair facility quickly.

The good news is that the vehicle can be driven with a power steering failure. However, the steering will lack the power assist and will be more difficult to steer. So if you choose to proceed, please do so with caution.

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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Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow.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.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/03/power-steering-or-electronic-power-steering-trouble-light/

And The Dashboard Symbols Saga Continues

A Manufacturer Update Adds Yet More Symbols

In an earlier post, the Dashboard Symbols Saga, some weeks ago, we noted that we now host 986 warning lights and indicators. Nine hundred and eighty six! Well, we updated our Buick page, and added yet another five new symbols, bringing the total to 991 (now over 1000!). And those additions serve to point out just how out of control the entire warning light system has become.

The new entries are an Auto Start symbol, a Driver Attention symbol, a Super Cruise symbol, a Snow Mode symbol and a Sport Mode symbol. In each case, the industry already had perfectly usable pre-existing symbols, but Buick opted to use new ones anyway!

Were These Necessary?

In a word. no. Top the left is the new Auto Start symbol. It is very similar to others in use across the industry. In fact, we have a post (here) that includes 17 previous iterations! Some are in text.

However, what Buick chose to use was sufficiently different that it could not be ignored. The symbol shown to the right is the closest pre-existing version, but the new one did not include the words Start and Stop.

In effect, the next four could be discussed in exactly the same way. The Driver Attention, Super Cruise, Snow Mode and Sport Mode symbols, seen from the left, all exist in other forms. Each is also linked to our posts on the subjects. In fact Super Cruise is a General Motors construct and still the company opted to make a change in the image!

Pre-existing versions of the symbols are shown to the right. Certainly in the case of Super Cruise, the new symbol is very, very close to the original representation. However, we feel an obligation to present them exactly as a driver would see them.

We find the entire experience to an insult to drivers everywhere. Assuming the system remains in place, then it should be said that any new system developed and introduced in automobiles must have its own symbol. These symbols are meant first and foremost to easily identifiable to the average driver. And while it can easily be called into questioned that this first principle is actually achieved, if each system ends up being represented by a dozen or more symbol versions, it is highly unlikely that any one driver anywhere will ever be able to determine a symbol’s meaning without looking it up.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/03/and-the-dashboard-symbols-saga-continues/

Heated Steering Wheel On Dashboard Indicator

Heated Wheel

These are Heated Steering Wheel On Indicator symbols. The indicator looks like a broken steering wheel with wavy lines radiating up from one side meant to show heat. It is seen only when the heat function is turned on by the driver and appears in yellow/amber, unless it is seen in the center display, where it is generally in gray scale.

Before moving on, is this truly your symbol??
If not, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

In models from many manufacturers, heated steering wheel will only remain on for about 30 minutes, after which it is automatically turned off. Other manufacturers allow the heat to remain on as long as the driver wishes it to be on.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2021/08/heated-steering-wheel-on-indicator/

Active Driver or Highway Assist System Dashboard Indicator

Highway Assist

This is a Highway Assist System (HAS) Indicator symbol. If the symbol is seen, it indicates an HAS malfunction or in the manufacturer’s Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) system . The symbol appears in yellow/amber as a steering wheel with lines radiating away below it or sitting atop lane lines. It adds an exclamation point as well, which always points to a problem.

Before continuing, are you sure this is your symbol?? If so, continue on.
If not, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

These are evolving systems and are generally only available when driving on highways. This system operates up to speeds of 90 mph (145 km/h) when horizontal signs (lane lines) are detected. It uses information from the front camera and radar to help keep the vehicle in the center of the lane and at a constant speed. The HAS system combines Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) functions with lane centering logic to control the the vehicle. It requires the driver’s hands to remain on the steering wheel.

Once HAS is activated, an information display screen will appear on the instrument cluster display. It will add various visual elements such as speed, distance indicators for nearby vehicles, and warmings to keep hands on the wheel.

Driver Assist

This is a set of Driver Assist System Indicator symbols from a different manufacturer. They range from green to red and include one indicating a fault in the system in yellow/amber/orange. It has the exclamation point alongside the steering wheel, similar to the symbol above. When on, the same symbol in white will appear in the information screen.

Seen in green, the system is on and the vehicle sees the driver is attentive. In yellow/amber/orange without the exclamation point, driver inattentiveness has been detected, In red, driver inattentiveness has been detected continually and the system will shut down in short order.

The system operates under similar parameters as the HAS system described above.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2021/01/highway-assist-system-indicator/

Super Cruise Status Indicator

Super Cruise Status

These are Super Cruise Status Indicator symbols. It will be seen when Super Cruise is engaged and shows the system status. The light is essentially a representation of the car’s steering wheel, complete with controls and is shown in gray scale in the vehicle’s information display.

Before continuing, is this truly your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
Otherwise, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

Super Cruise, which is a brand name belonging to Cadillac, or more specifically General Motors, is a hands-free driving system that is essentially an upgrade of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping systems. It has since been incorporated into Buick models, which uses the second symbol.

How it Works

Super Cruise uses cameras, global positioning system (GPS) sensing, high-precision maps, additional GPS information from OnStar to detect the current lane position and lane markings ahead on limited access
freeways under the proper conditions. Super Cruise will not operate otherwise and the indicator will be off. It will also not operate if Driver Attention System (DAS) sees that the driver’s attention is not on the road.

An active OnStar or connected service plan that includes Emergency Services is required in order to use Super Cruise.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2019/07/super-cruise-status-indicator/

Steering and Lane Change Assist Alert Indicators

Steering Assist

These are Steering and Lane Change Assist Alert Indicator symbols. It will be displayed when hands are not in contact with the steering wheel. If this is the case, steering assist is then disabled. It appears as a steering wheel in gray scale or red with two hands shown in red. The image of the steering wheel may also be shown in green and yellow/amber under the appropriate conditions, without the hands.

Before moving on, are you sure this is your symbol??
If not, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

Steering assist helps to keep the vehicle in its lane and otherwise under control. However, the driver’s hands are to remain on the wheel. When steering wheel operation is detected, the warning is turned off and the steering assist function is restored.

Alternatively, the light may be activated when conditions for steering assist cannot be met. In this case when when steering wheel operation is detected steering assist remains deactivated.

More Assist Symbols

This pair from another manufacturer, seen in green and gray, offer a different perspective. In green, the symbol simply means the system is active. If it is displayed in gray, it means the system is inactive. This can occur if conditions do not allow lane keeping, such as when lane lines are not detected or poor weather conditions.

Similarly from yet another manufacturer, the symbol in gray indicates the system is active. The same symbol in red indicates that the system is off or about to be switched off. Yellow/amber indicates that the system is about to be deactivated or has detected a lane crossing. The wheel may vibrate as well. It should be noted that this particular system takes a more active role in steering the vehicle.

The system adds Lane Change Assist to Steering Assist. The system has control of the wheel. The symbols are seen in gray when unavailable or green when available and uses an arrow or line on the side required, in response to a turn signal.

The line indicates that a lane change is not currently possible. The arrow in gray means that a lane change is not possible, because of improper parameters, such as poor lane markings. The line in gray means that the lane change is not immediately possibly, likely a traffic concern. In all green, the system changes lanes.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2019/06/steering-assist-alert-indicator/

Alfa Steering Torque Failure Indicator

Alfa Steering Torque

This is the Alfa Steering Torque (AST) Failure Indicator symbol. It will be found exclusively in models made by Alfa Romeo, hence the name, and is a system that automatically helps corrects steering slightly when the vehicle’s stability control system is active.

Before continuing, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
Otherwise, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

The symbol appears in red with the acronym AST beneath the steering wheel. An exclamation point is seen as well. A problem with the system will limit the effectiveness of the overall stability control system in extreme or slippery conditions. The steering system itself is unaffected. Proceed carefully and have the system serviced by a qualified service shop as soon as possible.

AST is related to the vehicle’s Dynamic Steering Torque (DST) system and works to give the driver a hint as to the correct steering direction. The system will not steer the vehicle on its own. The driver remains in control of the vehicle.

Similar Symbol

Its important not to confuse the symbol with the one to the right. More information on it is available here.

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2018/12/alpha-steering-torque-failure-indicator/