Your ultimate guide to car dashboard lights

We’ve all felt that sense of panic when a strange warning symbol suddenly lights up on your dashboard and you have no idea what it means. Well worry no more, with our ultimate guide to car dashboard lights.

The graphic below, created by alansfactoryoutlet.com, gives you a comprehensive run-down of 52 dashboard symbols along with their meanings – from the dreaded engine warning light to some more obscure symbols that will have you scratching your head!

It’s worth noting that colours and details can vary between manufacturers and models. Also, some symbols only apply to specific types of vehicles or cars with certain features – such as diesel cars, or cars with automatic transmission. If in doubt, it’s always best to refer to your car’s user manual.

 

Click or tap the image to view the full-size version:

Car dashboard lights infographic

What does this light on my dashboard mean?

1. Winter Mode

What it looks like: A snowflake

What it means: Winter mode activated (vehicle moves in second or third gear to prevent tires from spinning and slipping)

2. Steering Lock Warning

What it looks like: A steering wheel and a padlock

What it means: Steering is locked to prevent theft

3. Rain and Light Sensor

What it looks like: A headlight symbol next to a triangle

What it means: Issue detected; system deactivated temporarily. Sensors may be blocked by debris

4. Dirty Air Filter

What it looks like: A series of dots representing a filter, with a vertical arrow

What it means: Air filter needs replacing or inspecting

5. Rear Spoiler Warning

What it looks like: The back of a car with a spoiler

What it means: Spoiler system malfunctioning (loose/broken connector, blown fuse, leak)

6. Brake Light Warning

What it looks like: A lightbulb inside a circle, crossed out

What it means: Brake lights not functioning properly

7. Eco Driving Indicator

What it looks like: The word “Eco” inside a leaf symbol

What it means: Indicates engine is operating close to maximum miles per gallon

8. DEF Light (Diesel Cars)

What it looks like: A smoke symbol with drops of fuel

What it means: Diesel exhaust fluid reservoir low

9. Distance Warning

What it looks like: 2 cars crashing into each other

What it means: Object in the road ahead of vehicle is approaching too quickly

10. Washer Fluid Reminder

What it looks like: A fluid reservoir with liquid spraying out of the top

What it means: Washer fluid is low

11. Adaptive Light Warning

What it looks like: A headlight symbol with a curved arrow

What it means: Adaptive lighting system malfunctioning (debris may be blocking sensors)

12. Frost Warning

What it looks like: A road with a snowflake

What it means: Ice may be forming on the road

13. Fuel Filter Warning

What it looks like: A tank of liquid with a drip at the bottom

What it means: Fuel filter reaching maximum capacity, needs to be emptied

14. Hill Descent Control

What it looks like: A car on a slope

What it means: Vehicle automatically controls braking down steep hills

15. Glow Plug (Diesel Cars)

What it looks like: A coiled line

What it means: Engine’s glow plugs are warming up; engine should not be started until this light turns of

16. Speed Limiter

What it looks like: A speedometer with an arrow and a key

What it means: Driver set a speed limit that the vehicle will not exceed

17. DFP Light (Diesel Cars)

What it looks like: A series of dots representing a filter, with smoke passing through

What it means: Diesel exhaust particulate filter failed test and needs service

18. Check Engine

What it looks like: An outline of an engine block

What it means: Indicates that the engine computer has noticed a problem. This could be a number of things:

  • Oxygen sensor needs to be replaced
  • Petrol cap is loose, damaged, or missing
  • Bad catalytic converter
  • Mass airflow sensor needs to be replaced
  • Spark plugs or plug wires need to be replaced

19. Automatic Gearbox Warning

What it looks like: A cog/gear symbol with an exclamation mark

What it means: Abnormal reading from transmission sensors (possibly fluid temperature, fluid level, or overall pressure)

20. Security Alert

What it looks like: An outline of a car and a key

What it means: If it lights momentarily, ignition switch may be locked and need transponder-equipped key to start

If it stays on, security system is malfunctioning

21. Service Vehicle

What it looks like: An outline of a key with a spanner/wrench

What it means: This could mean:

  • Lighting or electrical problem
  • Traction control problem
  • Communication problem between modules

22. Reduced Power Warning

What it looks like: An outline of an engine block with a downward arrow

What it means: Engine computer has limited engine power output.

Modern vehicles limit vehicle performance to prevent further damage; could be caused by engine trouble, transmission faults, or a bad battery

23. Lane Departure Warning

What it looks like: A car moving over a lane marking

What it means: Vehicle is detected to be moving out of its current lane without indicating

24. Seatbelt Reminder Light

What it looks like: A passenger wearing a seatbelt

What it means: One or more passengers do not have their seatbelt fastened

25. Rear Window Defrost

What it looks like: A rectangle with 3 wavy lines

What it means: Rear window defroster is activated

26. Low Fuel Indicator

What it looks like: An image of a petrol/gas pump

What it means: Fuel level is low. You should re-fill soon.

27. High Bean On indicator

What it looks like: A headlight symbol with horizontal lines

What it means: Full beam headlights are activated

28. Key Fob Battery Low

What it looks like: A key and a battery

What it means: Low battery level detected in key fob

29. Hood/Bonnet Open Warning

What it looks like: An outline of a car with the hood/bonnet open

What it means: Hood/bonnet has been left open, or is not fully closed

30. Battery/Charging Alert

What it looks like: A rectangular battery with plus and minus symbols

What it means: This could mean:

  • Battery voltage level is below normal
  • Vehicle’s charging system not functioning properly
  • Battery terminals, alternator belt, serpentine belt, or fuses may be faulty

31. Air Suspension Warning

What it looks like: An outline of a car with 2 arrows below it

What it means: Compressor not providing as much air as it should. Leak in one of the bags

32. Transmission Temperature

What it looks like: A gear/cog with a thermometer symbol

What it means: Transmission is operating at higher temperature than normal. Transmission fluid is hotter than normal

33. ABS Light

What it looks like: A circle with the letters “ABS”

What it means: Anti-lock brake computer needs professional diagnosis. Anti-lock brake feature may be disabled

34. Traction Control / Electronic Stability Control

What it looks like: A car with 2 skid marks

What it means: Vehicle’s traction/anti-skid or electronic stability system is in use. Conditions may be slippery

35. Power Steering Warning Light

What it looks like: A steering wheel and an exclamation mark

What it means: Low power steering fluid. Power steering may be disabled

36. Trailer Two Hitch Warning

What it looks like: A trailer hitch and a padlock

What it means: Tow hitch is unlocked / faulty lighting system

37. Coolant Temperature Warning

What it looks like: A thermometer in liquid

What it means: Temperature has exceeded normal limits

38. Brake System

What it looks like: An exclamation mark in a circle

What it means: This could mean:

  • Parking/hand brake is on
  • Brake fluid is low
  • ABS problem

39. Oil Pressure Warning

What it looks like: An oil can

What it means: Loss of oil pressure

40. Overdrive Off

What it looks like: The words “O/D OFF”

What it means: Vehicle’s overdrive system has been manually disabled

41. Oil Change Reminder

What it looks like: The words “CHANGE ENGINE OIL”

What it means: Oil life is low

42. TPMS (Tyre pressure monitoring system)

What it looks like: An exclamation mark inside a deflated tyre

What it means: Low tyre pressure / Sensor malfunction

43. Cruise Control

What it looks like: A speedometer with a small arrow

What it means: Cruise control is set

44. Door Ajar

What it looks like: A car seen from above, with 2 doors open

What it means: Door, bonnet, or boot not closed properly

45. Fog Lamp

What it looks like: A headlight symbol with a wavy line going through it

What it means: Fog lamps are activated

46. Airbag Fault

What it looks like: A passenger wearing a seatbelt with a circle in front of them

What it means: If light stays illuminated after starting, indicates fault in airbag system

47. Lamp Out

What it looks like: A lightbulb with lines around it

What it means: An exterior light is not functioning properly

48. Catalytic Converter Warning

What it looks like: An outline of a catalytic converter with smoke lines coming out of the top

What it means: Catalytic converter is overheating or not operating properly

49. Brake Pad Warning

What it looks like: A circle with 3 small lines on either side

What it means: Brake pads are too thin

50. Automatic Shift Lock (or Engine Start Indicator)

What it looks like: A foot pressing a pedal, inside a circle

What it means: Engage the brake to start ignition or shift out of neutral

51. Petrol Cap

What it looks like: The side of a car and a petrol/gas cap

What it means: Petrol cap is attached improperly

52. ESC Fault

What it looks like: An exclamation mark, inside a triangle, inside a circular arrow

What it means: Problem with vehicle’s traction control, anti-skid, or electronic stability control system

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