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All Picture-style Symbols Explained
All Picture-style Symbols ExplainedEvery day thousands of drivers face new, unfamiliar warning lights on their dashboard. We can help, right here on these pages! Learn what’s happened to your car before heading to the service center. A little knowledge could save you lots of money!
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.
Search Carefully!
There are hundreds of symbols on this page and those linked below, from Picture (image-style) Symbols (on this page) to Text Symbols. Scroll carefully until you find a match for your symbol. Also, if you want to know what an orange, yellow, amber, red, green or blue light on your dashboard or instrument panel means, we’ve made it possible to search strictly by color. Also, by manufacturer! So…
Other ways to Search the Site
- If the warning light is Red, click here.
- If the warning light is Yellow or Amber or Orange, click here.
- If the warning light is Blue or Green, click here.
- Search by Manufacturer here, in alphabetical order.
- Finally, if your warning light is filled with Words or Acronyms, click here, in alphabetical order!
Some Basics
- Don’t panic! Despite seeing a new tell-tale or warning light on your instrument panel, unless it is red it is likely the car is still running fine and while there may be a problem to attend to, proceed with confidence and patience.
- Color is King! Here is what the different colors mean. Red indicates a potentially serious problem or safety issue. Attend to it! Red may also indicate an important reminder. Yellow/amber/orange mean something needs to be serviced or repaired soon. Any light that is flashing makes it important that you contact your dealer or trusted repair shop. Green or blue is only telling you that a system is on or operating.
- Have a description in your mind? Try our search function at the top of the page. It could save looking over all the entries.
- Do you see more than one light? Check out our Multiple Lights and Indicators page first.
- Again, does your light have text in it? Then go right to our Text Symbols pages, where they are shown in alphabetical order over 3 pages. Alpha order makes for easy searching!
We start with the most serious of the symbols and move in a rough descending order of importance. This is somewhat subjective, particularly if you are seeing something you don’t recognize!
We have looked at cars built by well over 30 of the world’s largest manufacturers from roughly 2005. They are listed below, but if you don’t see a warning light that looks exactly like yours, rest assured that there is enough overlap that you will find what you are looking for here. Find one that looks similar, and you’re likely on the right track.
So, if you are wondering what those lights on the dashboard mean, you’ve come to the right place.
It is worth noting that higher end vehicles have more exotic systems and associated symbols. Look for Control Assist and Special Features deeper in the page.
Warning Symbols – the Truly Serious Ones
If you see any of the following symbols on your dashboard, take no chances. Stop you vehicle immediately and find an authorized repair facility. We start with a text symbol here, because it cannot be ignored in this set as it indicates a brake issue. Click the links for more information.
Routine and Commonly-searched Indicators and Symbols
The following symbols are intended to point out routine needs for your vehicle. For instance, the need to fill your windshield washer fluid, or close a door. They may show up as larger images in message centers. We also added the Tire Pressure Warning and Check Engine symbols, since these are simply seen the most often.
Lighting Indicators and Symbols
The following are all related to your vehicle’s lighting system. Many you have seen before, and most will be green or blue.
Trouble and Safety Indicators and Symbols
If you see any of these next few symbols, contact your dealer as soon as possible. They are sorted in what could be an order of importance. Note the links with additional information.
Advanced Driver Assist Systems Symbols and Indicators
As we move inexorably towards self driving cars, individual systems are being developed to aid drivers maintain control of their vehicles. Some systems can even take control of braking and steering functions temporarily if an emergency situation is detected.
There is a move afoot to standardize naming conventions, which unfortunately does not yet extend to the indicators. There are waaay too many of them…
Control Assist System Symbols and Indicators
The latest vehicle advances combine features old, such as Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), and new, like Traction Control, into Assist Systems. They have their own unique symbols and indicators, some of which, unlike ABS, use different terminologies to describe exactly the same thing.
Note that if additional lights, such as the Check Engine and ABS light, are on, they should be addressed first. See our Multiple Lights page for more information. Note as well that some specialty systems will also shut down associated advanced systems. Thus, for example, if Low Speed Assist is in use or you have locked the differential for additional traction, Stability Control will be unavailable. Etc.
Special Feature Symbols and Indicators
The symbols and indicators in this next group are associated with special and unique automotive features. What used to be accessories in many cases. The symbols generally are shown on the instrument panel in green when the systems are active. Other symbols are shown when there is a problem with the system, and will be yellow or red.
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Symbols and Indicators
A whole new series of symbols have been created just for the new generation of electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. For the most part, they tell a driver when a particular system is operating and/or in what mode. Remember that a flashing light likely indicates a problem that your dealer or authorized repair shop should address.
Symbols Found in Diesel-powered Vehicles
The following are symbols used only in diesel powered vehicles. They vary somewhat by manufacturer but all generally refer to starting and fuel quality and filtration.
Information Displays and Message Centers
In what is a very, very useful trend, vehicle manufacturers are using more and more information displays to inform drivers of what features are in use, how they are operating, and what maintenance, if any, may be needed. What are shown are examples only. There are simply too many possibilities and iterations.
Note that if you are seeing something new on your instrument panel that appears to be informational only, check to see that a ‘display’ button has not been hit accidentally and thus changing what you are typically used to seeing.
 | Information Display Example, much more here |
We looked at cars built by well over 40 of the world’s largest manufacturers from roughly 2005. They are listed below, but if you don’t see a warning light that looks exactly like yours, rest assured that there is enough overlap that you will find what you are looking for here. Find one that looks similar, and you’re likely on the right track.
So, if you are wondering what those lights on the dashboard mean, you’ve come to the right place.
Vehicles examined include those from Acura, Alpha Romeo, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Fisker, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes, Mercury, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Saab, Saturn, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Tesla, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, and Volvo.
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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.
