What is the P with a cone button on my car?
The "P with a cone" button on your car's dashboard is the parking brake or emergency brake indicator. This button or light serves as a visual reminder that the parking brake is engaged, alerting you to disengage it before driving.
What is the Parking Brake?
The parking brake, also known as the emergency brake or handbrake, is a supplementary brake system in your vehicle. It is designed to hold the car in place when it is parked, even on an incline, to prevent it from rolling away. The parking brake operates independently of the main foot brake system, using a separate set of brake pads or shoes to grip the wheels.
Why the P with a Cone Symbol?
The "P with a cone" symbol is a standardized icon used to represent the parking brake. The "P" stands for "park" or "parking," while the cone shape is a visual cue to indicate the braking function. This symbol is commonly found on the dashboard, parking brake lever, or near the parking brake control in your vehicle.
How to Use the Parking Brake
To use the parking brake, follow these steps:
- Firmly apply the parking brake by pulling the lever or pressing the button, depending on your vehicle's design.
- Ensure the "P with a cone" indicator light on your dashboard is illuminated, confirming the parking brake is engaged.
- When ready to drive, release the parking brake by pressing the button or pushing the lever down.
- Verify the "P with a cone" indicator light is no longer illuminated, indicating the parking brake is disengaged.
It's important to use the parking brake whenever you park your vehicle, especially on hills or inclines, to prevent it from rolling away. Regularly using the parking brake can also help maintain its functionality over time.
What is the P with the cone button?
P stands for parking. The wireless signal indicates that the parking assist sensors are scanning around your vehicle. Finally, the traffic cone is a generic representation for any object within the sensors' detection range.
Is the p button an emergency brake?
In effect, the little (P) switch is just an override to either lock or unlock the emergency brake.
What does the park assist button do?
The park assist button activates a system that helps you park by automatically steering your vehicle into a detected parallel or perpendicular space. You control the braking and shifting, while the system handles the steering. Pressing the button starts the search for a parking spot, and the system will provide audio and visual cues to guide you through the process.
This video demonstrates how to use Automatic Parking Assist: 33sChevroletYouTube · Feb 14, 2023
How it works
- Activate the system: Press the park assist button to begin searching for a parking space. You can also start the search from the car's display or turn on your turn signal for the desired side.
- Find a spot: As you drive, the system uses sensors to scan for a suitable parking space. Once it finds one, it will alert you with a beep and an on-screen message.
- Let the system guide you: Follow the on-screen instructions to shift into reverse, and then remove your hands from the steering wheel.
- Control your speed: Release the brake to allow the system to steer, and be prepared to use the brake and accelerator to control the speed as you go, as the system will indicate when to do so.
- Complete the maneuver: The system will signal when parking is complete. At this point, you should apply the brake and shift into park.
- Override or cancel: You can cancel the maneuver at any time by taking control of the steering wheel, pressing the brake, or pressing the park assist button again.
- Stay attentive: Even with automatic steering, you must remain attentive to your surroundings and be ready to take over at any moment, as the system cannot react to unexpected obstacles.
What does the p with a triangle button mean in a car?
The "P" with a triangle button activates the park assist system, which uses sensors to help you park. This system can be used to activate parking sensors that beep to warn you of obstacles, or a more advanced automatic parking assist that can steer the car into a space while you control the pedals, with the exact function varying by vehicle.
What it does
- Parking sensors: The button turns on sensors that detect objects around your car. As you get closer to an obstacle, the sensors will emit a series of beeps that get faster until they become a continuous tone.
- Automatic parking assist: On some vehicles, pressing this button initiates a system that finds and steers the car into a parking spot. You may still need to control the brakes and accelerator, while the car handles the steering.
How to use it
- To activate sensors: Press the button once to turn the parking assist system on. An indicator light on the button will usually illuminate to show it's active.
- To activate automatic parking: You may need to press the button and then follow on-screen prompts, which often includes using your turn signal to indicate the side of the parking spot you want to use.
- To turn off: Press the button again to turn the system off.
Why it might be flashing or not working
- Dirty sensors: The indicator light may flash or turn on if the sensors are blocked by dirt, mud, or snow.
- Obstacle detection: The system is designed to warn you of obstacles, so the light might flash or the alarm might sound if the sensors detect something.
When to turn it off
- You may want to turn off the system temporarily if it's interfering with your driving, such as when you are towing a trailer or have a bike rack on the back of your car.
