Decoding icons on the car dashboard

The car contains a sufficient number of electronic systems capable of communicating with the driver. Information is communicated through the dashboard, and feedback is expected through the controls. Recently, it has already been possible to transmit text or even voice messages; for this, almost all cars are equipped with high-resolution matrix displays and a multimedia speaker system.

But the speed of such communication is clearly insufficient, and distracting the driver from driving is extremely dangerous. Hence the need for highlighting signals in the form of highlighted icons and color coding of the main groups of messages.

Why are the light icons on the dashboard different colors

The most commonly used light signals of three primary colors:

• red means that the situation is dangerous for equipment and people, immediate adoption of adequate measures is required, most often this is stopping and turning off the engine;
• yellow reports a malfunction that needs to be fixed, but it is not as critical as in the first case;
• green simply indicates the inclusion of any device or mode.

Other colors may also appear, but they are no longer recognized as system colors and can mislead the driver about their importance.

Information display icons

This group has green encoding and should not emphasize distraction and response:

1. key symbol, means proximity detection or successful immobilizer activation;
2. headlight icon or a lantern indicates the inclusion of one of the lighting modes, it can be supplemented by symbols for automatically switching to low beam, activating the front or rear fog lights, side lights and daylight, green arrows show in which direction the turn signal or alarm is on;
3. car picture or its chassis indicates the transmission and traction control mode, e.g. hill descent control, traction control activation, off-road crawl mode, automatic transmission gear limit;
4. cruise control activation modes in the form of a stylized speedometer scale and a car in front;
5. ecology modes and savings in the form of green leaves, trees or “ECO” inscriptions, means the choice of a special control of the power unit;
6. exhaust brake activation in the form of a car on the descent;
7. enabling driver assistance modes, valet parking, traction control, stabilization systems and others, most often in green letters with the abbreviation of the system.

Sometimes highlighted in blue turning on high beam headlights and excessive coolant temperature drop (coolant).

warning group

Yellow indication means that there are malfunctions or alarming symptoms of a malfunction:

1. butter dish or inscription "OIL" indicate an insufficient oil level in the engine;
2. pictogram with belts, seats or the word "AIRBAG" indicates a temporary shutdown of one of the passive safety systems;
3. service functions with words «OIL CHANGE», the symbol of the lift and other images of recognizable details mean the maintenance period calculated by the on-board computer;
4. yellow key signal means a malfunction in the alarm, immobilizer or access systems;
5. badges «4×4», «LOCK», «4WD», similar ones, their combinations, as well as pictograms in the form of a chassis with crosses, indicate the inclusion of all-wheel drive modes, locks and a demultiplier in the transmission, which are undesirable to use all the time, they must be turned off after the end of a difficult section of the road;
6. specific for diesel engines spiral indicator indicates that the heating of the pre-start glow plugs is on;
7. important yellow indicator with the inscription «T-BELT» speaks of the development of the resource of the timing belt, it is time to change it in order to avoid major breakdowns in the engine;
8. image filling station informs about the rest of the reserve fuel supply only;
9. a group of indicators with an engine icon and the word CHECK informs about the presence of an error noticed by the self-diagnosis of the engine management system, it is necessary to read the error code and take action;
10. Image car tire profile called by the tire pressure monitoring system;
11. picture of car leaving wavy trail, means problems with the stabilization system.

Usually, the presence of faults highlighted in yellow does not require an immediate cessation of movement, the main systems will continue to work, but it is possible that only in emergency or bypass mode. Move to the place of repair should be with the utmost caution.

Icons on the panel indicating malfunctions

Red indicators are the most serious:

1. oil pressure drop it is shown by the image of a red oiler, you can’t move, the motor will quickly become unusable;
2. red thermometer means overheating of antifreeze or oil;
3. exclamation mark inside the circle indicates a malfunction of the brake system;
4. image battery means no charge current, generator malfunction;
5. type labels «SRS», "AIRBAG" or seat belt icons signal catastrophic failures in the safety system;
6. key or lock mean the impossibility of access to the car due to the fault of security systems;
7. gears, inscriptions "TO" or other transmission terms, sometimes with a thermometer, mean overheating of the units, exit to emergency mode before cooling;
8. red wheel indicates a malfunction of the power steering;
9. simple and clear indicators signal open doors, hood, trunk or unfastened seat belts.

It is impossible to imagine absolutely all indicators, automakers do not always adhere to an established system. But it is the color coding that allows you to quickly make a decision that ensures maximum safety and minimum damage to the technical condition.

Remember that all the necessary information on deciphering any of the icons is in the very first sections of the instruction manual for a specific car model.