Volvo dashboard symbols update
Volvo dashboard symbols updateWe completed our 2024 Volvo dashboard symbols update and added 10 indicators. But what is notable and truly surprising is what images that are not present.
Despite having now three pure electric models, the C40, which is now the EC40 and EX40 EVs, there are no warning indicators available if a problem crops up with the high voltage battery.
We did add two new symbols related to hybrid batteries. They are one that indicates the hybrid battery is charging (far right). The other (near right) indicates that the battery is holding its charge. We surmise that this means that everything is functioning as expected.
The only symbol added related to the high voltage battery is one indicating that it is cold (right) and thus will not offer the power expected until it has warmed. On the far right is an example of a malfunction indicator that Volvo does not offer.
Our suspicion is that something will pop up on the information display should an actual problem with the high voltage battery crop up. In fact, we did find six possible messages that could come up, one of which is Do Not Drive. The manual noted that information on the location of the problem would be included.
That said there are more than 60 symbols that can be seen on our Volvo symbols page here.
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.
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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
mark found inside the center console on the bottom and to the front (right).
evidence of Mercedes and BMW suffering from ignoring this and other trade shows.
Elsewhere, EVs remain a focus of the show, clearly an attempt to acquaint the buying public with the shift to electric driving. Volkswagen’s ID Buzz (left) made and appearance. Polestar was at the show for the first time and brought its 2, 3, and 4 models. The Polestar 4 (right) won’t be available to order for another few months with deliveries expected in 2025.
Porsche featured all four of its available electric line: the Tacan, Macan, Cayenne and Panamera (left), all open and available to crawl through. As always with Porsche, the styling is impeccable.
So 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.
So, 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.
Subaru (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.
Dog Mode is slowly spreading
Dog Mode
Dog Mode allows the temperature in the car to be set, keeping the vehicle interior at that temperature until you return. Whether the cabin needs to be heated or cooled, the car will control the HVAC to hold the selected temperature.
She has a point, and rather misses another.
First and foremost, any car — electric or otherwise — with a remote start option or a remote climate control option can be effectively used as a pet protector, which is the missed point! More on that in a bit.
But, since dog mode is such a good idea, this first spurred a search, and while its taken more time than it should have, it does appear that pet protection is at last being added by a number of manufacturers.
Other Manufacturers
The search found that Ford, Rivian, Lucid and Volvo have added similar features. Hyundai and Chevrolet were included in the list, but we couldn’t find any indication of this in any Hyundai, Kia, Genesis or Chevrolet model.
The other manufacturers use different names, and while there may be a copyright on the use of Dog Mode, its more likely that others just like to apply their own name to systems that perform the same function. For instance Ford calls theirs Pet Mode, which is sensible, while Lucid takes it a step too far calling it Creature Comfort Mode.
But back to remote start. In an EV, since there is no engine to warm up, this is nothing more than cabin preconditioning. This could easily be used in place of an actual pet mode to keep a pet safe.
However, remote start shuts down if no one comes to the vehicle to actually drive it. In a Kia for instance, this is 10 minutes.
Further, remote start is available in vehicles using internal combustion engines (ICE) as well. In this case, the engine would be running throwing its exhaust into the air, but at least your pet will be safe.
However, if you use remote start to keep a pet safe be sure you have enough battery power or gasoline. The Telsa feature only works above 20% battery or a little less than a “quarter” tank of fuel. A good rule of thumb.
But the real point to manufacturers is this: just exactly how difficult is it to gather existing software applications and making a Dog Mode button and screen? This is a seriously popular and potentially even life saving feature. It can be applied to humans left in the car as well…
If you make use of remote start for this purpose, you may want to make a sign to place in your window letting outsiders know. Otherwise a good samaritan may be tempted to smash a window to rescue your pet…
——————————————————————-
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