Sport Differential
These are versions of a Sport Differential or Dynamic Drive Control Warning Indicator symbol. 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.
- Otherwise, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!
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Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow.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
This is a Sway Bar Disconnected Indicator symbol. It indicates that the sway bar has been disconnected electronically. If this was not intended, the disconnect switch may have been activated inadvertently.
A vehicle may have the capability to have the sway bar disconnect electronically. This allows greater front suspension travel in for off-road applications and should only be used (disconnected) in these applications. The process is controlled by the Sway Bar switch on the dashboard. A fault in the control of this feature will result in the same symbol, with the added exclamation point.
With the system on, as soon as one of the wheels starts to spin, the brakes want to slow that wheel down and the symbol to the left will be seen on the instrument panel. In some cars, even the engine power will be reduced, all of which conspires to leave you stuck. So there you are trying to gain some momentum, and bang, down you go. And I didn’t think of it…
Despite the alphabet soup, they all do the same thing, and are an important safety tool while on the road. A warning light, like the one to the right, will be illuminated to remind you to turn it back on when you are safely underway.
The power top on my car is quirky and well past its warranty, but being a hands-on guy, I am generally able to deal with any issues that crop up. It sometimes stops near the end of the opening process. The top has gotten confused during the closing process, dropping the rear portion of the top before the storage cover is closed. It may start to open and decide not to! These issues usually require only a moment’s rest and a restart, although in the second case, a manual lift of the rear portion of the top is required.
These are Second Row or Rear Seat Safety Belt Warning Indicator 
These versions in 
The version on the left, also in 
This version, still in 
And finally, these symbols, essentially a belt buckle, will show is
The Single Most Misunderstood Warning Indicator on Your Instrument Panel – Part II
Misunderstood Warning Indicator: Continued from Part I
This suggests four possible scenarios. The first three assume the light is not flashing:
1) All the tires are low on air (check your spare in the trunk too, if you have one). This occurs seasonally as the weather cools, and possibly several times. Solution? Check the pressures and inflate your tires properly.
2) One tire is low. This likely means a nail or other fault causing the tire to leak slowly. Checking all of the tire pressures will reveal a single tire to be low. A qualified service facility will be needed to address the problem.
3) The system needs to be reset. If you’ve recently had the tires rotated or replaced, check with your dealer about resetting the TPMS system.
4) If the light is flashing, there is a fault in the TPMS system, which your dealer or qualified service shop will have to resolve. Again in the first three cases, the light is simply illuminated, not flashing.
If you must drive before addressing the light, please do so carefully…under inflated tires are a potential hazard. Your tires are the only thing between you and the pavement. The light will go out after the proper tire pressures have been restored and after a bit of driving.
And by the way, the light will also come on if a tire blows, but the blowout will have your full attention…
So please, show this light some respect! Its doing its job, even if you see it illuminated on multiple occasions during year! Your tires need the attention.
Now if every car could tell you which tire and the exact air pressure…
In another article, we discuss how too many of the warning symbols shown on today’s instrument panels assume too much of today’s information-overloaded drivers and do everyone a disservice.
The International Standards Organization (ISO) establishes symbols for use on controls, indicators and telltales applying to passenger cars, light and heavy commercial vehicles and buses, to ensure identification and facilitate use.
It also indicates the colors of possible optical tell-tales, which are supposed to inform the driver of either correct operation or malfunctioning of the related devices. The American National Standards Institute also has a hand in this.
To date, the ISO has defined over 220 of these symbols, and growing! They are supposed to be identified easily by all people everywhere regardless of language and background. But all the good intentions – and not too mention a good deal of time, effort and money – has resulted in far too many symbols that mean absolutely nothing to the average driver.
Check out the videos below.
And one filling the tires.
… Back to Part I
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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