Car dashboard icons

Drivers are notified of malfunctions in various vehicle systems using icons on the dashboard. It is not always intuitive to decipher the meaning of such fiery icons, since not all motorists are well acquainted with cars. Also, on different cars, the graphic designation of the same icon may differ. It is worth noting that not all indicators on the panel simply indicate a critical malfunction. The indication of light bulbs under the icons is divided by color into 3 groups:

• Red icons indicate danger, and if any symbol turns red, you should pay attention to the on-board computer signal in order to take quick troubleshooting steps. Sometimes they are not so critical, and it is possible, and sometimes not worth it, to continue driving the car with such an icon on the panel.
• Yellow indicators warn of a malfunction or the need to take some action to drive or repair the vehicle.
• Green indicator lights inform about vehicle service functions and their activity.

Here is a list of frequently asked questions and a description of the icons and indicators on the instrument panel.

Numerous badges have been applied with the emblem-silhouette of the car. Depending on the additional elements, this indicator may have a different value.

When such an indicator is on (a car with a key), it informs about problems in the engine (often a malfunction of a sensor) or the electronic part of the transmission. To find out the exact cause, you will need to conduct a diagnosis.

A red car with a lock caught fire, which means there were problems in the operation of the standard anti-theft system and it will be impossible to start the car, but if this icon flashes when the car is locked, then everything is normal. - The car is locked.

An amber vehicle indicator with an exclamation point notifies the hybrid vehicle driver of a problem with the electric transmission. Resetting the error by resetting the battery terminal will not solve the problem; need diagnostics.

Everyone is used to seeing the open door icon when one door or trunk lid is open, but if all doors are closed and one or four doors light is still on, often the door switches are the problem. (wired contacts).

The slippery road icon flashes when the stability control system detects a slippery road and is activated to prevent skidding by reducing engine power and braking the spinning wheel. There is no need to worry in such a situation. But when a key, a triangle or a crossed-out skate icon appears next to such an indicator, then the stabilization system is faulty.

The wrench icon appears on the scoreboard when it's time to fix your car. This is an informational indicator that is reset after maintenance.

Warning icons on the panel

The steering wheel icon can light up in two colors. If the yellow steering wheel is on, then adaptation is required, and when a red image of the steering wheel with an exclamation mark appears, you should already worry about the failure of the power steering or the EUR system. When the red steering wheel is on, it will probably be very difficult to turn the steering wheel.

The immobilizer icon usually flashes when the car is locked; in this case, the indicator of a red car with a white key signals the operation of the anti-theft system. But there are 3 main reasons if the immo light is constantly on: the immobilizer is not activated, the key label is not read, or the anti-theft system is faulty.

The parking brake icon lights up not only when the parking brake lever is activated (raised), but also when the brake pads are worn or the brake fluid needs to be topped up / replaced. In a vehicle with an electronic parking brake, the parking brake lamp may come on due to a faulty limit switch or sensor.

The refrigerant icon has several options and, depending on which one is activated, draw conclusions about the problem accordingly. A red light with a thermometer scale indicates an increase in temperature in the engine cooling system, but a yellow expansion tank with ripples indicates a low level of coolant in the system. But it is worth considering that the coolant lamp does not always burn out at a low level, perhaps just a “failure” of the sensor or float in the expansion tank.

The washer icon indicates a low fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir. Such an indicator lights up not only when the level is actually lowered, but also when the level sensor is clogged (sticking of the sensor contacts due to low-quality liquid), giving a false signal. On some vehicles, the level sensor is triggered when the windshield washer fluid does not meet the specifications.

The ASR badge is an indicator of the Anti-Rotation Regulation. The electronic unit of this system is paired with ABS sensors. When this indicator is on constantly, it means that the ASR is not working. On different cars, such an icon may look different, but most often in the form of an exclamation mark in a triangle with an arrow around it or the inscription itself, or in the form of a car on a slippery road.

The catalytic converter icon often comes on when the catalytic element overheats and is often accompanied by a sharp drop in engine power. Such overheating can occur not only due to poor performance of the element, but also if there are problems with the ignition system. When the catalytic converter fails, it will add a lot of fuel consumption to the light bulb.

The exhaust gas icon, according to the information in the manual, indicates a malfunction in the exhaust gas cleaning system, but, as a rule, such a light starts to light up after poor-quality refueling or an error in the lambda probe sensor. The system detects misfiring of the mixture, as a result of which the content of harmful substances in the exhaust gases increases, and as a result, the “exhaust gases” light on the dashboard lights up. The problem is not critical, but diagnostics should be carried out to find out the cause.

Malfunction indicators

The battery icon lights up if the voltage in the on-board network drops, often this problem is associated with an insufficient charge of the generator battery, so it can also be called the “generator icon”. On vehicles with a hybrid engine, this indicator is supplemented by the inscription "MAIN" at the bottom.

The oil icon, also known as the red oiler, indicates a drop in the oil level in a vehicle's engine. This icon comes on when the engine is started and does not go out after a few seconds or may come on while driving. This fact indicates problems in the lubrication system or a drop in oil level or pressure. The oil icon on the panel can be with a drop or with waves at the bottom, in some cars the indicator is supplemented with the inscription min, senso, oil level (yellow inscriptions) or simply the letters L and H (characterizing low and high oil levels).

The airbag icon can be highlighted in several ways: as a red inscription SRS and AIRBAG, as well as a “red man with a seat belt” and a circle in front of him. When one of these airbag icons illuminates on the dashboard, the on-board computer is alerting you to a malfunction in the passive safety system and in the event of an accident, the airbags will not deploy. For the reasons why the pillow sign lights up and how to fix the problem, read the article on the site.

The exclamation point icon may look different, and accordingly its meaning will also be different. So, for example, when a red (!) Light is on in a circle, this indicates a malfunction of the brake system and it is advisable not to continue driving until the cause of its occurrence is clarified. They can be very different: the handbrake is raised, the brake pads are worn out, or the brake fluid level has dropped. A low level is simply dangerous, because the reason may be not only in heavily worn pads, as a result of which, when you press the pedal, the liquid diverges through the system, and the float gives a signal of a low level, for the brake hose may be damaged somewhere, and this is much more serious. Although very often

Another exclamation mark can glow in the form of an “attention” sign, both on a red background and on a yellow background. When the yellow “attention” sign lights up, it reports a malfunction in the electronic stabilization system, and if it is on a red background, it simply warns the driver about something, and, as a rule, the instrument panel display or combined with another explanatory text lights up on the scoreboard. informative notation.

The ABS icon may have several options for displaying on the dashboard, but regardless of this, in all cars it means the same thing: a malfunction in the ABS system and that the anti-lock brake system is currently not working. You can find out the reasons why the ABS does not work in our article. In this case, the movement can be carried out, but it is not necessary that the ABS works, the brakes will work as usual.

The ESP icon may flash intermittently or stay on. A light bulb with such an inscription indicates problems with the stabilization system. The indicator of the Electronic Stability Program, as a rule, lights up for one of two reasons: the steering angle sensor is out of order, or the brake light ignition sensor (aka “frog”) ordered to live a long time ago. Although there is a more serious problem, for example, the pressure sensor in the brake system is clogged.

The engine icon, which some drivers may refer to as the "injector icon" or check mark, may be yellow when the engine is running. Informs about the presence of errors in the operation of the engine and malfunctions of its electronic systems. To determine the cause of its appearance on the dashboard screen, self-diagnosis or computer diagnostics is carried out.

A glow plug icon may come on on the dashboard of a diesel car, the meaning of this indicator is exactly the same as the check mark icon on gasoline cars. If there are no errors in the memory of the electronic unit, the spiral icon should go out after the engine warms up and the candles go out.

This material is informative for most car owners. And although absolutely all possible icons of all existing cars are not presented here, you can figure out the main symbols of the car dashboard on your own and not sound the alarm when you see that the icon on the panel lights up again.

Listed below are almost all possible gauges on the instrument panel and their meaning.

1. Fog lights (front).

2. Faulty power steering.

3. Fog lights (rear).

4. Low washer fluid level.

5. Wear of brake pads.

6. Cruise control icon.

7. Turn on the alarms.

10. Information message indicator.

11. Indication of glow plug operation.

13. Proximity key detection indication.

15. Key battery needs to be replaced.

16. Dangerous shortening of the distance.

17. Depress the clutch pedal.

18. Press the brake pedal.

19. Steering column lock.

21. Low tire pressure.

22. The indicator of inclusion of external illumination.

23. Malfunction of outdoor lighting.

24. The brake light does not work.

25. Diesel particulate filter warning.

26. Trailer hitch warning.

27. Air suspension warning.

30. Not wearing a seat belt.

31. Parking brake activated.

32. Battery failure.

33. Parking assistance system.

34. Maintenance required.

35. Adaptive headlights.

36. Malfunction of headlights with automatic tilt.

37. Malfunction of the rear spoiler.

38. Malfunction of the roof in a convertible.

39. Airbag error.

40. Malfunction of the parking brake.

41. Water in the fuel filter.

42. Airbag off.

45. Dirty air filter.

46. ​​Fuel saving mode.

47. Descent assistance system.

48. High temperature.

49. Faulty anti-lock braking system.

50. Malfunction of the fuel filter.

53. Low fuel level.

54. Malfunction of an automatic transmission.

55. Automatic speed limiter.

58. Heated windshield.

60. The stabilization system is disabled.

63. Heated rear window.

64. Automatic windshield washer.