What do 18 symbols on your car dashboard mean?
Your car's dashboard is a hub of information, displaying a variety of symbols and indicators that provide crucial insights about your vehicle's performance and status. While some of these symbols may be familiar, others can be confusing, especially for new drivers. In this article, we'll explore the meaning behind the 18 most common dashboard symbols and what they signify.
The 18 Dashboard Symbols Explained
Your car's dashboard is designed to keep you informed about various aspects of your vehicle's operation. Here's a breakdown of the 18 most common dashboard symbols and what they mean:
- Check Engine Light: This amber or red light indicates a problem with your vehicle's engine or emissions system. It's important to have the issue diagnosed and addressed as soon as possible.
- Battery/Charging System Warning: This symbol, usually a battery icon, signifies an issue with your car's charging system or battery. It could mean the battery is not being properly charged or that there is a problem with the alternator.
- Oil Pressure Warning: This symbol, often an oil can icon, alerts you to low oil pressure, which can lead to engine damage if not addressed.
- Coolant Temperature Warning: This symbol, typically a thermometer icon, indicates that your engine's coolant temperature is too high, which can lead to overheating.
- Brake System Warning: This symbol, usually an exclamation point or brake pad icon, signifies a problem with your vehicle's brake system, such as low brake fluid or a malfunctioning brake component.
- Airbag Warning: This symbol, often a person icon with a deployed airbag, indicates a problem with your vehicle's airbag system.
- Seat Belt Reminder: This symbol, typically a person icon with a seat belt, reminds you to fasten your seat belt for safety.
- Traction Control System (TCS) Warning: This symbol, often a car icon with squiggly lines, indicates that your vehicle's traction control system is engaged or experiencing a problem.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Warning: This symbol, usually a car icon with curved arrows, signifies an issue with your vehicle's electronic stability control system.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Warning: This symbol, often a tire icon with an exclamation point, alerts you to low tire pressure in one or more of your vehicle's tires.
- High Beam Indicator: This symbol, typically a car icon with two upward-facing arrows, indicates that your vehicle's high beam headlights are activated.
- Turn Signal Indicator: This symbol, usually an arrow pointing left or right, flashes when you activate your vehicle's turn signals.
- Fog Light Indicator: This symbol, often a car icon with two downward-facing arrows, indicates that your vehicle's fog lights are turned on.
- Cruise Control Indicator: This symbol, typically a car icon with a speedometer, signifies that your vehicle's cruise control system is engaged.
- Engine Oil Level Warning: This symbol, often an oil can icon, alerts you to a low engine oil level, which can lead to engine damage if not addressed.
- Engine Coolant Level Warning: This symbol, usually a thermometer icon, indicates that your vehicle's coolant level is low, which can lead to overheating if not addressed.
- Parking Brake Indicator: This symbol, often a car icon with a P, signifies that your vehicle's parking brake is engaged.
- Fuel Level Warning: This symbol, typically a fuel pump icon, alerts you when your vehicle's fuel level is low, indicating that you need to refuel soon.
Understanding the meaning of these dashboard symbols is crucial for maintaining your vehicle's health and ensuring your safety on the road. If any of these warning lights illuminate, it's important to address the issue promptly to avoid potential problems or costly repairs.
What are the numbers on my car dashboard?
The most common dashboard configurations today include a speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, and temperature gauge. The speedometer displays wheel speed. Meanwhile, the fuel gauge displays the level of fuel in the tank. The temperature gauge displays the temperature of the engine coolant.
What does the overheating symbol look like?
This dash warning light looks kind of like a boat sitting on water. It actually represents a thermometer-which means your car is getting too hot. Possible causes could include a coolant leak, a bad water pump, bad thermostat or more. Pull over as soon as possible if you see this, as it can be very dangerous.
What is the symbol on my dashboard?
The engine stop-start light is typically an "A" surrounded by a circular arrow, and it can indicate a few different things. It may illuminate in a green or blue color to show that the system is active, or in an amber color to show that the system has been disabled.
What are emergency warning lights?
Emergency vehicle lighting refers to any of several visual warning devices, which may be known as lightbars or beacons, fitted to a vehicle and used when the driver wishes to convey to other road users the urgency of their journey, to provide additional warning of a hazard when stationary, or in the case of law ...
What are 5 lights that might light up on your dashboard to tell you something needs attention or repair in your car?
Common Dashboard Warning Lights and What They Mean
- Check Engine. This check engine warning light usually looks like an orange engine, and it tells you that something is wrong with the car's motor or emissions system.
- Coolant Temperature.
- Transmission Temperature.
- Oil Pressure.
- Tire Pressure.
- Brake System.
What does a transmission warning light look like?
You might see a gear symbol with an exclamation mark or a thermometer, signaling potential transmission issues. Each symbol or message on your dashboard is a call for your attention—don't overlook them! Your owner's manual is your go-to resource; it details what each symbol means specifically for your car.
What does the key is sinking in a river mean?
“The Key is Sinking in a River”.. means your engine is TOO HOT. Stop your car. Right now. Have it towed into the shop. It's a biggie, especially if your thermostat is also giving you fits (climbing, or spiking).
What is the symbol for overheating engine?
Some cars may warn of an engine over-temperature condition by displaying a string of text in the driver's information center. Others will turn on an illuminated symbol depicting a thermometer floating in coolant. Regardless of the warning's appearance, the message is always the same: Your car's engine is overheating.
What is the most serious warning light?
#1: Check Engine Light
The check engine light is something you shouldn't ignore because there are several possible reasons why this light could appear. Most common reasons include issues with the vehicle's emission system, engine components, or fuel compartment.
What are the codes in car?
The DTC is a series of numbers and letters that locates the source and nature of the problem. The OBD-II codes, on the other hand, is a term that includes the entirety of the DTC system (body codes, chassis codes, powertrain codes, and network codes).
