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64 Car Dashboard Warning Lights, Symbols and Meanings

By David Wardell | Updated: March 24, 2020

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

Car Dashboard Warning Lights

  1. Fog light (front)
  2. Power steering warning light
  3. Fog light (rear)
  4. Washer fluid low
  5. Brake pad warning
  6. Cruise control on
  7. Direction indicators
  8. Rain and light sensor
  9. Winter mode
  10. Information indicator
  11. Glow plug/diesel pre-heat warning
  12. Frost warning
  13. Ignition switch warning
  14. Key not in the vehicle
  15. Key fob battery low
  16. Distance warning
  17. Press clutch pedal
  18. Press brake pedal
  19. Steering lock warning
  20. Main beam headlights
  21. Tyre pressure low
  22. Sidelight information
  23. Exterior light fault
  24. Brake lights warning
  25. Diesel particulate filter warning
  26. Trailer tow hitch warning
  27. Air suspension warning
  28. Lane departure warning
  29. Catalytic converter warning
  30. Seat belt not on
  31. Parking brake light
  32. Battery/alternator warning
  33. Parking assist
  34. Service required
  35. Adaptive lighting
  36. Headlight range control warning
  37. Rear spoiler warning
  38. Convertible roof warning
  39. Airbag warning
  40. Handbrake warning
  41. Water in the fuel filter
  42. Airbag deactivated
  43. Fault problem
  44. Dipped beam headlights
  45. Dirty air filter
  46. Eco-driving indicator
  47. Hill descent control
  48. Temperature warning
  49. ABS warning
  50. Fuel filter warning
  51. Door open
  52. Bonnet open
  53. Low fuel
  54. Automatic gearbox warning
  55. Speed limiter
  56. Suspension dampers
  57. Oil pressure low
  58. Windscreen defrost
  59. Boot open
  60. Stability control off
  61. Rain sensor
  62. Engine/emissions warning
  63. Rear window defrost
  64. Auto windscreen wiping

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About David Wardell

I am a technical specialist with over 14 years of experience in the automotive industry. I am well versed in the field of computer diagnostics and car repairs of various brands and models, so I can solve complex issues while providing quality service. Read More.

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