One of my old friends bought a new car the other day. After a week of using the car, he began to call me several times a day and ask what the icon that lit up on the dashboard means.
By the way, among the newly minted owners of modern cars, this is not an isolated case. Many motorists sitting behind the wheel of a new modern car and seeing on the dashboard that the indicator lights up, immediately get scared and think that there was a breakdown in some system, but in fact, this is not always the case.
Indicators warn the driver not only about malfunctions but also about a particular action that must be performed by the person driving the car. Signals on the dashboard can be compared to road signs, which are warning and prohibiting.
Dashboard lights can be divided into several categories and subcategories.
What you should know and remember. If a red icon with any pictogram lights up on the dashboard, there is likely a problem in the car, with which the operation of a vehicle is not desirable and can lead to serious consequences. In this case, you should immediately stop, turn off the engine and tow or transport the car on a tow truck to service.
If the yellow or orange indicator lights up on the dashboard, which is a warning about the malfunction or failure of a control element of one of the car systems, without delay show the car to a specialist who will identify the problem to fix it. In this case, the use of the car is allowed in a limited mode, only for independent movement to the service station. On some cars, after the appearance of a warning signal on the dashboard, the full operation of many systems is blocked, and the car goes into emergency mode, which will limit the speed and control of the power unit.
A green icon on the dashboard indicates that a certain system is enabled and functioning normally, so you can safely continue driving.
I hope that the main categories of indicators on the dashboard of the car are clear to you. If there are no questions, we will move on and look specifically at each icon, its designation, and what it signals.
The Type Codes of the Warning Lights on the Dashboard
- Fog light (front)
- Power steering warning light
- Fog light (rear)
- Washer fluid low
- Brake pad warning
- Cruise control on
- Direction indicators
- Rain and light sensor
- Winter mode
- Information indicator
- Glow plug/diesel pre-heat warning
- Frost warning
- Ignition switch warning
- Key not in the vehicle
- Key fob battery low
- Distance warning
- Press clutch pedal
- Press brake pedal
- Steering lock warning
- Main beam headlights
- Tyre pressure low
- Sidelight information
- Exterior light fault
- Brake lights warning
- Diesel particulate filter warning
- Trailer tow hitch warning
- Air suspension warning
- Lane departure warning
- Catalytic converter warning
- Seat belt not on
- Parking brake light
- Battery/alternator warning
- Parking assist
- Service required
- Adaptive lighting
- Headlight range control warning
- Rear spoiler warning
- Convertible roof warning
- Airbag warning
- Handbrake warning
- Water in the fuel filter
- Airbag deactivated
- Fault problem
- Dipped beam headlights
- Dirty air filter
- Eco-driving indicator
- Hill descent control
- Temperature warning
- ABS warning
- Fuel filter warning
- Door open
- Bonnet open
- Low fuel
- Automatic gearbox warning
- Speed limiter
- Suspension dampers
- Oil pressure low
- Windscreen defrost
- Boot open
- Stability control off
- Rain sensor
- Engine/emissions warning
- Rear window defrost
- Auto windscreen wiping
