Tag: Toyota

Toyota symbols page joins the new color treatment list

Toyota logoToyota symbols page

Our Toyota symbols page has now been aligned by color. We’ve have now transformed several pages, including our primary symbols page, to reflect the new color ordering.

The page features a number approaching 100 indicators, now ordered red through black, white or gray scale. This generally provides a “mostly serious” to “simply letting you know” range. We used the term “mostly serious” for red indicators because many legacy red symbols do not point to a problem with the vehicle.

Regardless, the new ordering provides a cleaner, simpler option for drivers searching for information.

Cars are changing, and among those changes is the growing number of symbols and indicators that will invariably show up on your dashboard or instrument panel. Every year, new features are added to vehicles, each of which is accompanied by a new symbol or symbols and likely a new acronym.

At DashboardSymbols.com, our aim is to help you understand what is happening to your vehicle at the first sign of trouble – a new warning light illuminated on your instrument panel. Its all here on this website. Our first intention is to bring the latest technologies down to earth and understandable for everyday drivers.

The Toyota symbols page can be found here.

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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Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow.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/2024/10/toyota-symbols-page-joins-the-new-color-treatment-list/

Replacing a Standard Toyota Key Battery

Toyota Key Battery

Toyota remoteMy was having some trouble with his Toyota remote and actually thought it would need to be replaced. So rather than leave him to spend what’s likely a lot of money, we went ahead and opened it up. We did a video as well that you can see here.

There is a gap upper corner that is your way in. A small screwdriver will do the trick.

Note right away that the buttons are loose and keeping the button side down would be helpful. Also, the buttons only fit in one spot each, so not to worry.

The battery is found in a case inside the key and it too needs to be separated. Check out the video for instructions and have a CR 2016 battery on hand. There is a circuit board inside that is loose and also goes in just one way.

See more videos for Toyota keys and fob battery replacements here.

Smart Keys or Intelligent Keys, or Access Keys – or whatever the manufacturer of your chooses to call them – that let you into your car and start it with just a touch use up their internal batteries at alarming rates, catching busy drivers unawares – even though the car had tried to warn you.

Our goal is to help you feel safe – and keep you moving or get you moving if at all possible – rather than leave you fretting whenever your key fob stops working. The instructions for getting into and starting most keyless start cars can be found on our pages – without roadside assistance.

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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/2024/08/replacing-a-standard-toyota-key-battery/

Active, Adaptive and Cornering Light Malfunction Symbols

Cornering Lights

AFS Off IndicatorAFS indicatorAdaptive Front Lighting System IndicatorThe acronyms AFS and AFLS in these symbols or indicators stand for Active Front-lighting System or Adaptive Front or Cornering Light System. The difference is very subtle and is the result of a manufacturer choice only.

  • But first, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, then continue on below. 
  • Otherwise return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

If it includes the word OFF, it indicates that the system has been turned off with an available switch. Look for the switch, which may have been tripped accidently. It may also be tucked nearly under the dashboard where it can be hit by the driver’s knee in a Toyota or Lexus.

More Versions

SRH off indicatorSRH malfunction indicatorThe acronym SRH changes the reference to Steering Responsive Headlights, but is exactly the same type of system. If any of the OFF lights flash or remain lit, they indicate a fault in the system, and your dealer will be needed for a repair. The letters seen alone in yellow/amber/orange is also a malfunction light.

Adaptive lighting indicatorCornering Headlamps Malfunction IndicatorCornering Light Malfunction Indicator 2Cornering light indicatorAdaptive headlamp faultAnother indicator of a malfunction are the picture symbols to the left, a curved arrow, indicating movement, above or split by a headlight beam, one adding the exclamation point. The beam is represented by the closed rounded triangle with lines above it. The last one is seen on its side with a bent arrow in one corner.

The symbol is used by manufacturers who call the system Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL), Active Bending Light System (ABL), Static Bending Light System (SBL) or Cornering Headlights. Another example of multiple industry names for the same basic system and again, your dealer will be needed for repairs.

Either headlight system move the direction of the headlights left or right – the arrow – in concert with the steering. When the system is off, the headlights work as they have for a century, so there is no need to be concerned.

Note that these active systems often have an on/off switch that may have been accidentally been tripped on the dashboard (as noted) or inside a menu found in an instrument panel display. Look for the same acronym on a switch or in the menu.

Lamp malfunction indicatorIf you drive a Polestar, note that they have begun using the symbol to the right to indicate that a lamp has malfunctioned. Follow the link 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.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/03/active-adaptive-and-cornering-light-malfunction-symbols/

Disabling a Key Fob Could Prevent Car Theft

New Suzuki FobDisabling a Fob

We came across a video some time ago from Now You Know – linked here – where a Toyota guy highlighted a Toyota key fob feature: Disabling a Key Fob. Press and hold the lock button, and while doing so, press the unlock button twice. This disables the proximity access feature of the fob.

We then verified it on a Toyota as well and it works! See the video below.

Now, not to worry, a simple press of the unlock button not only gets you in the car, it also restores the proximity feature.

But we’re not Toyota guys, so we set out to test as many cars as we could get our hands on. But before we get there, why is this even important?

The proximity feature of a fob only works within about 18 inches of a lock. But the fact is, clever thieves can tap into the signal from a live fob even though its seemingly not in use. Likely as not you’ve had the experience of using an unlock or lock button from 50 ft or even more. I can lock/unlock my car from a good 70 ft.

This is the signal that can be tapped from a live fob, essentially duplicated on a computer and your car is gone. The video is from CNN is right here.

And it can be done while you’re at home and the car is in you’re driveway! This is the value of the disabled fob feature.

What of Other Manufacturers

So who else? We tried a Nissan, but no dice. Actually, it turns that two Nissan models we tested do not lock or unlock with a touch of the door handle, so disabling is unnecessary. We tried a Dodge, which again did not work.

We then tested a Lexus, which is a Toyota product, it did work. It did not work on an Audi, a Volvo, a Polestar, an Acura, a Volkswagen or a BMW.

So, this is a call to all manufacturers to implement the feature, and to you the owner of any Toyota and Lexus models to use the feature. And if you have a model from a manufacturer that we didn’t test, try it and let us know in the comments if it worked – or not.

We did a video on the subject, linked below.

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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/2024/01/disabling-a-key-fob-could-prevent-car-theft/

Can Your Car Windows Open on Their Own??

Why Are My Windows Open?

If you’ve ever walked out to your car and found all the windows open, this is our subject.  We’re going to discuss a feature found in cars from a number of manufacturers that catches people with their pants down. Or their windows down. This is not about a fault or a system failure or a warning light, but about something working exactly as it is supposed to, but doing it seemingly at random on its own.

Vehicles made by BMW and Mini, Honda and Acura, Ford and Lincoln, Maserati, Mercedes, Toyota and Lexus and Volkswagen Group, include what is called a convenience feature, which opens all the windows for ventilation when the unlock button is pressed and held. The sunroof will be open as well and the car unlocked.

Honda windowsWindows downFrom what we’ve discovered only Mercedes and some vehicles made by the Volkswagen Group offers the option to close everything again using the lock button. The Honda we have here does not.

Its An Accident!

So, what is causing the surprise window openings can be explained by accidental button pushes. Whether carried in a bag or in a pocket, something pressing on the unlock button for an extended period can and will activate the feature, if the key fob is within 50 feet or so. Remember that while the key fob’s keyless access can only operate within 18 to 24 inches of the vehicle, the buttons on the fob will work from a much greater distance.

Lexus windowsFor a fob carried in a pocket, preventing this may be a simple as turning the fob over on the key ring. The buttons will face the other way, if like me, your keys rest in the pocket the same way each time.

If it is carried in a bag, the nature of keyless open and start can easily lead to the fob migrating to the bottom of the bag. In this case, you might try using a device like this carabiner or snap hook. It can be hooked to a strap like on this computer bag and still actually be closed into the bag. But it won’t work its way to the bottom. The devices come in many different sizes and colors so you can be a stylish as you’d like and they can be found online or at most hardware stores.

To finish off the functions of the actual convenience feature, the windows will stop short if the button is released, and will continue down if it is pressed and held yet again. Some vehicles require the unlock button to be pressed and released once before the convenience feature will work. In Honda and Acura vehicles, the feature will work by holding the mechanical key turned to the right in the key cylinder, but this will not happen accidently. Also, turning and holding the key back to the left will close the windows and sunroof.

The feature can be disabled in Ford Motor Co and Toyota and Lexus vehicles, but you’ll need your dealer. In fact, the feature in a Toyota and Lexus must have first been activated in this way.

So, if ever you find your windows wide open one day, don’t panic — find a new way to carry your key fob.

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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/2019/09/can-your-car-windows-open-on-their-own/

Toyota Dashboard Symbols and Warning Lights

Toyota logoToyota Symbols

So, what is that light on your dashboard? What follows is easily the most complete list available of symbols and warnings that may appear in and on your car’s dashboard or instrument cluster.

The following are warning lights and indicators found in vehicles built by Toyota. Click the link to the right learn more about each one.

How They Are Presented

They are ordered primarily by color and roughly by importance. First up are red, followed by red with yellow/amber/orange options, strictly yellow/amber/orange, then blue and green symbols and finally white and gray scale symbols. There are over 90 of them so be patient!

Need the symbols for another manufacturer? Click here!

Red indicators
Charging System Trouble Indicator SymbolCharge system trouble indicator -- click for more
Brake Trouble IndicatorBrake trouble indicators -- click for moreBrake Trouble Indicator Canada
Oil Trouble Indicator SymbolOil and oil level warning lights -- click for moreLow Oil Level Symbol
Temperature Warning Light SymbolEngine temperature indicators -- click for more
Steering Trouble IndicatorElectronic power steering trouble indicator -- click for more
A/T p indicator symbolPark indicator warning symbol -- click for more
Key Warning IndicatorKeyless access or start fault indicator -- click for more
SRS Air Bag Indicator SymbolAir bag warning indicator -- click for more
Seat Belt Reminder SymbolSeat belt reminder -- click for more
Rear Seat Safety Belt WarningRear seat belt indicator -- click for more
Security Lock IndicatorSecurity indicators -- click for more
Door Ajar Warning IndicatorDoor ajar indicator -- click for more
Hood ajar indicatorHood ajar indicator -- click for more
Red indicators that have yellow/amber/orange variants
Master Warning Light SymbolMaster warning lights -- click for moreAmber Master Warning Light Symbol
Charge cord connectedEV Charging indicators -- click for moreCharging Indicator Symbol
Yellow/amber/orange indicators
Electric Park Brake IndicatorPark brake indicators -- click for moreAuto EPB off indicator
Check Engine TextCheck engine light -- click for more
Slip Indicator SymbolSlip indicator -- click for more
Slip Control Off IndicatorStability control off indicator -- click for more
Traction control off indicator 3Traction control indicator -- click for more
Tire Pressure Monitor SymbolTire pressure monitor indicator -- click for more
Low Fuel IndicatorLow fuel indicator -- click for more
Windshield Washer Fluid Low IndicatorLow washer fluid indicator -- click for more
Frost warningLow outside temperature indicator -- click for more
ABS Trouble Indicator USAnti-lock brake system fault indicator -- click for moreABS Trouble Indicator Canada
Auto Transmission Oil TemperatureTransmission temperature indicator -- click for more
KDSS IndicatorKinetic dynamic suspension system fault indicator -- click for more
RCD off indicatorRear camera detection off indicator -- click for more
Auto runboard blocked indicatorAutomatic running board or fault indicator -- click for more
Blind Spot IndicatorBlind spot monitor indicators -- click for moreBSM Indicator Symbol
Lane Departure WarningLane departure alert indicator -- click for more
Collision WarningPre-collision braking indicators -- click for morePre_collision_system_indicator
iMT indicatorIntelligent manual transmission indicator -- click for more
Sport mode indicatorSport mode indicator -- click for more
Br mode indicatorBr or brake mode indicator -- click for more
4_wheel_drive_low_indicator4-wheel drive indicators -- click for moreRear Differential Lock Indicator
Electronic Rear Differential LockRear differential lock indicators -- click for moreDifferential Lock Indicator
Trail mode indicatorSpecial 4WD drive modes -- click for moreRock & dirt mode indicatorMud & Sand mode indicator
AUTO LSD indicatorAuto limited slip differential (LSD) indicator -- click for more
Heated Steering wheel indicatorHeated steering wheel on indicator -- click for more
ICS off indicatorInelligent clearance sonar off indicator -- click for more
Regeneration boostRegeneration boost indicator -- click for more
Charge timer indicatorRemote charge timer setting indicator -- click for more
Hybrid battery overheat indicatorHybrid battery overheat indicator -- click for more
AFS Off IndicatorAdaptive front lighting off indicator -- click for more
LED Headlight MalfunctionLED headlamp out indicator -- click for more
Headlight Levelling IndicatorHeadlamp leveller fault indicator -- click for more
Green and blue indicators
Ready Mode IndicatorHybrid ready indicator -- click for more
EV MODE IndicatorEV mode indicator -- click for more
EV Operation Indicator SymbolEV operation indicator -- click for more
Parking Assistance SymbolPark assist systems indicator -- click for more
Rear Cross Traffic Alert IndicatorRear cross traffic alert indicator -- click for more
Hold Operation IndicatorBrake hold indicators -- click for moreBrake Hold Indicator Symbol
Active Cruise Control SymbolDynamic radar cruise control indicator -- click for more
Cruise Control Indicator SymbolCruise control indicators -- click for moreSet Indicator (Cruise Control)
2nd Start Indicator2nd start mode indicator -- click for more
Crawl Control Indicator SymbolLow speed and crawl control indicators -- click for moreGrade Assist Indicator
Trailer connection indicatorTrailer connection indicator -- click for more
A-TRAC indicatorTraction control indicator -- click for more
Snow or Dirt modeSnow, sand or mud drive mode indicators -- click for moreSnow or mud mode
Turn Assist IndicatorTurn assist indicator -- click for more
Auto glide control indicatorAuto glide control indicator -- click for more
iMT indicator greenIntelligent manual transmission indicator -- click for more
ECT Power IndicatorPower mode indicator -- click for more
Eco Operation Indicator SymbolEconomy operation indicator -- click for more
Headlamp Indicator SymbolHeadlamp indicator -- click for more
Auto Headlamp Dimmer IndicatorAutomatic high beam indicators -- click for moreHigh-beam Assistant Indicator
Tail Light Indicator CanadaPark lamps on indicator -- click for more
Fog Lamp Indicator SymbolFog lamp indicator -- click for more
Turn Signal IndicatorTurn signal indicator -- click for more
High Beam On IndicatorHigh beam indicator -- click for more
White and gray scale indicators
Driver assist status indicatorDriver assist system indicator -- click for more
Brake override indicatorBrake override indicator -- click for more
S-APGS indicatorPark assist systems indicator -- click for more
Grip controlSnow, sand or mud drive mode indicator -- click for more

Models examined include 4Runner, 86, Avalon, C-HR, Camry, Celica, Corolla, Corona, Cressida, Echo, FJ Cruiser, Highlander, Land Cruiser, MR2, Matrix, Mirai, Paseo, Previa, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Solara, Starlet, Supra, T100, Tacoma, Tercel, Tundra, Venza, and Yaris.

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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/2019/06/warning-lights-and-symbols-seen-in-toyota-vehicles/

Does Your Owner’s Manual Have a Troubleshooting Guide?

How Deep Is Your Owner’s Manual?

We’ve done a couple of owner’s manual rants and got to thinking about where the average driver might look in their respective manual if they ran into trouble, specifically with dead or dying key fobs.

So, we examined a sampling of owner’s manuals from BMW and Mini, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, GM, including Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac, Honda and Acura, Kia and Hyundai, Land Rover and Jaguar, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Nissan and Infiniti, Subaru, Toyota and Lexus, Volkswagen and Audi and Volvo. And since we are adding this commentary, you can probably guess the results.

Mazda chapterSo lets set some parameters. Our first thought is to look for Troubleshooting chapter. So, result #1 is that not a single one of these 25 manufacturers have a chapter with this title. Only 3, Mazda (right), Toyota and Lexus, even use the word Trouble. Emergency, Roadside or Breakdown are most likely to be found, and this is a pretty short hurdle. VW raises the hurdle, with a Do It Yourself chapter that includes flat tires and dead batteries, etc. that tend to be found in the Breakdown chapters from other manufacturers.

To Index or Not to Index

Next, we looked to see if there was an index to resort to. Several, BMW, Land Rover, and Ford, for instance, have no indexes at all. So if someone out there is from these companies, please consider adding that in. On the other hand, the indexes we did find were no help at all with dead key fobs.

IndexSo, back to the our troubleshooting-like chapters. Once inside, only Honda/Acura, Toyota/Lexus and Subaru got this right! Setting aside for a moment the fact that the owner’s manual is most likely inside the car and the driver locked outside, at least if the driver manages to get the car open, he or she will be able to get started.

The Honda and Acura chapters point to an issue with the key fob being weak. This may not be immediately obvious to the operator, but it would be a likely spot to check out if the car wasn’t responding.

Subaru chapterSubaru (right), Lexus and Toyota chapters point directly to pages with solutions to issues with the electronic keys. Again, it may not be obvious to the driver that the key fob is the problem, but these manufacturers come the closest to nailing the problem. Titling the sections using something like what to do if the car does not respond to the electronic key would come closest to replicating exactly what the driver is experiencing.

Absolutely none of the other manufacturers point directly to the electronic keys in anything remotely like a troubleshooting chapter. To be clear, they all have the solutions shown, but the driver is left to contend with 400, 500 or 600 pages of information to get to what they need.

So for all of them, walk a mile in your customers shoes and try to think like someone who simply doesn’t understand what is wrong. Then make a Troubleshooting chapter and forget the clever titles like Handling the Unexpected or Volkswagens do it yourself chapter, which is where they keep breakdown assistance.

The closer your cars get to being rolling computers, the more relevant an actual Troubleshooting chapter will be to your customers.

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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/2018/12/does-your-owners-manual-have-a-troubleshooting-guide/