Reading Dashboard Lights

September 04, 2010 Category: Automotive

The dashboard, and particularly the instrument panel, represent the easiest way a vehicle talks back to its driver, allowing him to stay up to date with the status of the car and provide him with prior notice on potential mechanical problems. The dashboard items followed the same evolution trend as the whole car, migrating from standard light bulbs to more attractive and efficient LEDs or completelydigitalized dashboard components. Take for example BMWs head-up display, a special technology developed by the German company which projects important information such as speed, fuel consumption or the tachometer straight on the windshield. Getting back to the instrument clusters, their number increased significantly once the car manufacturers developed new technologies regarding safety, engine management or miscellaneous car-related equipment. But more importantly, these tiny lights tracking the operation of the car can provide critical information that could protect you, your passengers and the other drivers on the road. The number of instrument clusters is huge, mostly due to the fact that most car manufacturers used basic symbols and personalized them for their own models although we all agree that standard ones

would be useful for all drivers, no matter the car they own. Thats why weve decided to create a list of the commonest instrument panels used by different carmakers around the world, although it could be easily expanded to hundreds.

1. ABS warning light it is turned on every time theres something wrong with the Anti-lock Brake System. Note that the ABS symbol is activated once the drive starts the engine but its automatically turned off after a few seconds. 2. Low fuel notification this panel is switched on if the fuel level gets very low and refuel is required. 3. Seat belt reminder the symbol appears and remains active as long as the engine is started and the seat belt remains unfastened; depending on the car manufacturer and car model, the seat belt reminder is combined with an audio notification. 4. Electrical problem warning this light warns you that theres a problem with the electrical system of the car. 5. Brake system alert the notification is powered on if the ECU detects a problem to the brake system 6. Warning light it signals an unidentified problem with your car; it usually requires the car to be serviced.

7. Child seat indicator if turned on, it informs you that the standardized child safety seat is attached 8. Tire pressure monitor the warning is turned on in case of low tire pressure which could raise the fuel consumption or affect the grip. 9. Side airbag same as the front airbag but intended for the side airbag 10. Air filter usually installed on the center console but also found on the dashboard, this light informs the driver that a malfunction was detected at the passenger compartment air filter 11. Front airbag the light monitors the front airbag and, in case it is turned on, signals a problem with it; it usually requires professional assistance. 12. Child seat this symbol informs the driver that there may be a problem with the rear-mounted child seat; similar to number 7 but used by different manufacturers

13.

Fog beams indicator it is activated and remains on once

the driver turns on the fog beams

14. 15. 16.

Windshield wash the notification appears once the Master lighting switch Rear window defrost pretty self-explanatory, it is

windshield wipers are activated

turned on once the driver presses the rear window defrosting button 17. Child seat warning similar to the other child seat notifications, it warns the driver that the child seat may be wrongly installed 18. 19. Brake fluid malfunction rarely installed on the Battery warning if this light is turned on while driving, dashboard, it unveils a problem in the brake fluid recipient it reveals a malfunction concerning the battery charging system 20. Child safety lock if lighted on, the symbol shows you that the child safety lock has been activated 21. 22. Emergency indicator the notification is activated once Cruise control this light is turned on if the cruise the driver pushes the emergency button control system is activated; note that it may differ by brand and car model. 23. 24. Windshield defrost similar to rear window defrost but Powertrain malfunction if on, this light shows that the especially intended for windshield powertrain has been damaged and the car needs to be serviced as soon as possible.

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Slip indicator mostly installed on luxury cars, the slip

indicator unveils that the car may lose grip due to difficult driving conditions 26. Open doors indicator this symbol is usually turned on just after the driver starts the engine and informs him that one or more doors are closed incorrectly 27. Anti-theft system exclusively installed on Ford models, symbol flashes once the Securilock Anti-theft this 28.

technology has been enabled Electronic Throttle Control light briefly enabled when the driver starts the engine, the indicator shows a malfunction in the Electronic Throttle Control system 29. 30. AWD with a pretty suggestive name, this panel is ESP/BAS light similar to the ABS indicator, but lighted on once the all-wheel drive system is enabled especially installed to inform the driver about a potential problem with the Electronic Stability Program technology 31. Overdrive indicator it shows the driver that the overdrive system has been turned off

32.

Turn signals surely the most known instrument panels,

the turn signals are activated once the driver changes direction and uses the signal lever 33. Temperature warning light it warns the driver of the possibility of engine overheating and usually demands the driver to stop the vehicle 34. OBD Indicator member of the Onboard Diagnostics, this indicators reveals a problem to the engine or to the gas emissions and required the car to be serviced. 35. 36. High beam light it is turned on once the driver activates Oil pressure warning this notification is turned on if the the high beam mode of the headlights ECU detects a problem with the oil pressure; the driver is usually recommended to stop the vehicle and service it as soon as possible.