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:
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
