This is a CrabWalk Dashboard Indicator symbol. It actually appears as a row or set of bent lines that take the shape of a crab. When the system is activated the symbol is seen in yellow/amber. 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.
Before continuing, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
Note that the symbol to the right will also be seen when CrabWalk mode is enabled. It is an All Wheel Steering symbol, and is struck through because the system is made unavailable while the vehicle is in CrabWalk mode. 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Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow.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
This is a 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) Shift Indicatorsymbol. While the engine is running, the 4WD shift indicator will illuminate the position selected by the 4WD shift switch. The indicator light may blink while shifting from one drive mode to the other.
Before moving on, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then continue on below.
The indicator is a stick figure of the front and rear axles with wheels or tires. The two front wheels are turned to the right. They are connected in the center by a bell-shape.
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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 versions of a Sport Differential or Dynamic Drive Control Warning Indicatorsymbol. On vehicles equipped with the sport differential, the warning light, when illuminated, indicates that the differential is either overheated or has malfunctioned. There is no distinction or additional information available to the driver.
Before continuing, are you sure one of these is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
If the vehicle has been driven hard for a time however, taking it slow for a time may resolve the warning light. In addition, it is likely an electronic system, and a restart of the vehicle may resolve the issue as well. If not, it will need servicing by a qualified service shop.
The images are variations of similar warning images found in all-wheel drive vehicles. The first is a stick figure with what are wheels turned to one side at one end. There is a single circle between two of the wheels rather than one each between the two sets of wheels, indicating a two wheel drive vehicle. Further, the drive wheels are at the rear.
The second symbol has an X inside what is intended to be a single axle and two wheels It is part of what Alfa Romeo calls its Alfa DNA system: Dynamic, Natural, and Advanced efficiency.
Similar Symbols
Do not confuse them with the all wheel drive symbols noted above and shown to the right. Click here for more information.
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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 is a All Wheel Steering Systems Indicatorsymbols. 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.
Before continuing, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
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
These are All-wheel Drive (AWD) On Indicator symbols. Unlike many similar indicators looking indicators, these are green and serve to tell you that your vehicle’s all-wheel drive system is engaged and possibly what mode it is in.
Before continuing, are you sure one of these is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
Multiple modes makes the lights necessary. Is the light yellow/amber??
Note that any yellow/amber all-wheel drive indicator, possibly flashing, indicates a problem in the system that must be addressed by your dealer or other qualified service personnel. Turn the system off if possible.
The AWD-V adds a full Vectoring component, which is what the ‘V’ stands for. The stick figure or line drawing that the letters are superimposed on are meant to be four wheels with the front wheels turned to the right.
In AWD-V, more torque is transferred between the rear wheels. This can lead to some slip in the outside wheel in extreme conditions. So, AWD only is recommended in very slippery conditions.
All this is more than necessary for most drivers, so stick to 2-wheel drive (AWD not engaged) in normal driving and AWD alone in slippery conditions.
Other Versions
This pair of symbols are simpler, indicating that the system is in all wheel or two wheel drive. The text inside the stick figures states this clearly. And change in color will, however, indicate a system problem that will require a qualified service shop.
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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 all versions of Differential Lock Indicatorsymbols, the first being Center Differential Lock indicators. The option to lock the differential may be available in an all-wheel drive vehicle. Turn it on only if you become stuck in mud or snow, or if you are driving on a loose surface off road at low speeds. A symbol featuring all four wheels will appear on the instrument panel when the lock is in use.
But first, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, then continue reading below.
If seen as a picture, they will look like line drawings or stick figures with an X or the word LOCK in it. And there is much more to know.
Any traction control feature in the vehicle will be deactivated by this action as well, so that the traction of all four wheels can be used.
Many More Versions
This version, an AWD LOW indicator, also says that the vehicles axles are locked together in low gear. All the wheels will turn at the same rate, and should only be operated at low speed in slippery conditions, which is also why this indicator and all the others are shown in yellow/amber, as a caution not to move too fast or on dry pavement.
If this system is accidentally engaged, your vehicle will hitch and buck and feel like it is going to tear itself apart at normal speeds. Come to a stop and look for the symbol on your dash or console and disengage the system. Drive forward or backward a few feet to complete the disengagement.
This version, seen in black and white, is seen in the information display and will be accompanied by a text explanation. The open circle in the center indicates a malfunctioning differential lock. Again, a helpful explanation will be seen with the warning light, although resolving the problem will likely require a qualified repair shop.
The indicator may turn up as symbols in all text, like the Diff (differential) Lock or All Wheel Drive(AWD) Lock Indicators shown here to the left. They mean the same as the images above.
These are Rear Differential Lock indicators. The versions on the left features a large closed circle or a pad lock between the two rear (bottom) wheels. The version to the right uses an X in place of the closed circle and is an Electronic Rear Differential Lock indicator. Both versions indicate that the two rear wheels have been locked to rotate together. Like the center lock options above, a button or dial on the dashboard or center console has been engaged locking the wheels and can be turned off.
As with above, this is a Front Differential Lock indicator. All of the same rules and concepts apply. The two front wheels are locked and will turn (rotate) together. In an electronic system, the symbols will go gray if the speed is excessive, meaning the differential is automatically unlocked.
The exclamation point indicates a malfunction on the differential lock system. It is likely electronic, so try restarting the vehicle. If the vehicle is equipped with an Information Display and a CHECK DIFFERENTIAL or DIFFERENTIAL MALFUNCTION message is shown, contact your dealer. If the vehicle hitches and bucks like a bronco at speeds above 20 MPH and the Lock cannot be disengaged, reduce speed and go straight to your dealer or service center, or have the vehicle towed.
There are now options to lock either or both of the front and rear axles electronically from some manufacturers. These padlock images are Front and Rear Axle Lock Indicator symbols. The image with the double locks indicate that both front and rear locks have been engaged.
To activate the system, pressing an axle lock switch once locks the rear axle, while a second press locks the front axle. The indicators will be lit. The indicators will flash prior to being fully locked or unlocked. The axle locks will disengage if the vehicle is taken out of 4L (Low) range, or the ignition switch is turned off.
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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