Car dashboard symbols and meanings

Did you know that every car communicates with its owner? We’re not referencing some form of artificial intelligence here; simply that every car comes factory-fitted with lights and symbols that show up in the instrument cluster. Let’s decipher these car dashboard symbols and meanings to understand their significance and mitigate any risks of damage to your car. These symbols tell you critical information about the car. Some of them are warnings, some are more of an ‘FYI’, while some others simply remind you that some aspect of the car might require tending to in the near future.

Whether it’s a door that’s not closed properly, or the ‘check engine’ light, or simply a symbol that pops up to alert you that you’ve activated cruise control, these symbols are how your car communicates with you. Without them, we would constantly be guessing the state the car’s in.

Considering how complex the internal workings of a car are, it’s natural that there are quite a lot of things to look out for. Keeping track of what every symbol means can be slightly daunting, understandably. Help, however, is on hand. In our guide that decodes all the symbols that might come up on your car’s dashboard, we’ll run through the ones that you should acquaint yourself with so that you’re better prepared for every eventuality. 

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The most common warning lights and symbols

Every car is equipped with sensors that keep a track of multiple parameters within the car. Their role is to ensure that all the critical components of a car are working optimally. If these sensors detect a chance of failure, either immediately or some ways down the road, the problem is immediately displayed on the instrument cluster as a symbol or a light.

We have segregated the most common symbols on the basis of how urgently they require attention, and familiarising yourself with these symbols can potentially save you from the risk of an accident.

Symbols that alert you that a system is functioning

1. Traction Control/Stability Control: The traction/stability control light will turn on when the system is activated. If the road conditions are excessively slippery and there’s low grip on offer, you will notice the symbol flashing on the instrument cluster. This is a good sign. It means the traction control feature in your car is functioning properly to try and negate the slippery conditions.

2. Airbag Symbol: The airbag symbol typically comes on immediately after the vehicle is started. If the symbol goes off after a few seconds, it means that the airbag sensors are functioning as they should. The only time this becomes an issue is when the light stays on while driving. It’s not an immediate cause for concern, but you should get it inspected as soon as possible. If neglected, it could be dangerous in the event of an accident.

3. Automatic Shift Lock/Engine Start Indicator Light: If you see this symbol, it most likely means that you’re trying to shift gears or start your ignition without engaging the brake. It’s not a cause for concern; all you need to do is press the brake, and crank the ignition. The light will go off thereafter. 

4. Seatbelt Reminder: As the name suggests, it is simply a reminder for you to fasten your seatbelts. The symbol only flashes when the sensors in the front seats detect weight on them and the occupants haven’t put their seatbelts on. Some cars even have the reminder for the rear seat occupants.

5. Fog Lamp Indicator: This symbol shows that your fog lights are on. If you switch them off, the symbol will disappear.

6. Lane Departure Warning: Cars fitted with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) get a lane departure warning symbol that flashes on the dashboard when the car detects that it’s drifting beyond the confines of lane markings.

7. Cruise Control: The cruise control symbol pops up on your dashboard when you’ve activated the feature. It will stay on until you deactivate the system.

Symbols that signify that your vehicle needs attention soon

1. Coolant Temperature: The coolant temperature symbol shows up on your dashboard when the sensors detect that your car is running too hot. This could be caused by a broken water pump, low coolant levels in the radiator, a leaking or burst coolant hose, or even damage to the radiator itself. It’s important to note that these are serious issues if left unattended for extended durations. Driving an overheated car is not just unsafe, it also risks causing severe (and expensive) damage to your car.

2. Oil Pressure Warning: When you see the oil pressure warning symbol pop up on your dashboard, it means that the car’s oil needs topping up. The reasons could be a leak,  worn parts like a blown piston ring, or broken oil pump. If the engine’s dipstick shows oil levels are low and adding fresh oil turns the light off, then it is simply a case of the oil needing to be refilled. If adding oil doesn’t turn the symbol off, it’s best to schedule a service for your car and have it examined by a professional.

3. Bulb Malfunction: This symbol shows up when a lamp or a bulb in the car is not functioning. If it’s a headlamp or tail-light that’s stopped working, it’s best to get it replaced as soon as possible considering driving without them could be hazardous to you and others around you.

4. Washer Fluid: This symbol shows up when the amount of liquid in the reservoir that feeds the windshield washers is low. Once the symbol is shown, it’s best to tend to this as soon as it could affect visibility if there’s no way to clean a dirty/greasy windshield.

5. Low Fuel Indicator: Your car’s fuel tank is split into the primary section and the reserve section. The moment the fuel depletes to the point where the reserve tank comes into play, the low fuel indicator is displayed on the instrument cluster. How far you’re able to travel thereafter depends on the size of your reserve tank, but it’s recommended that you start looking out for a fueling station immediately after the symbol lights up.

6. Security Indicator: If your car has an anti-theft system installed, this symbol will blink steadily when the security system is armed. On the other hand, if the symbol is static and the car won’t start, then the immobilisation system has activated due to a security threat. In that case, it’s best to follow your vehicle’s guidelines for how to deactivate the security system.

7. Diesel Glow Plugs: This symbol only applies to diesel cars. It indicates that the glow plugs are active. Glow plugs are used to warm the air in the cylinder before ignition, as the metal internals can absorb the heat of the fuel/air compression cycle and cause a failure to start. It’s advisable to only start the engine once you see the diesel glow plugs symbol disappear. If it continues to blink, there may be a malfunction, and a service is necessary.

Symbols that require your urgent attention

1. Check Engine: Of all the symbols listed here, the check engine symbol lighting up is the one that’s most dreaded. This doesn’t necessarily mean that something drastic has gone wrong with your engine. Something as minor as a loose wire or a worn component could trip this symbol up. The issue with this symbol is that it doesn’t convey the exact issue with the engine, unlike most of the other symbols. So while it can convey a minor issue that’s easily rectifiable, it can also light up if there’s a serious issue. Typically, if the symbol lights up when you’re driving, there isn’t a need for panic. In most cases, the car should be able to make it to a service station, but it’s best to get to the bottom of the issue as soon as the symbol pops up.

2. Battery: Typically, the battery warning light is something you notice after the problem has shown itself, unlike the other symbols. If your car refuses to start, the symbol lights up on the dashboard. This is a clear sign for you to get your battery checked from a qualified professional at the earliest. There are instances when the battery warning lights up as you’re driving, too. This is, again, a sign for you to drive straight to a professional and get the problem diagnosed immediately.

3. Transmission Temperature: This symbol indicates that your transmission’s components are heating up to critical levels. This can happen if there’s low transmission fluid levels, excessive wear on the inner workings of the transmission itself, or something as simple as hauling excessive weight. If not attended to soon, this could lead to serious expenses being incurred further down the line.

4. Tyre Pressure Monitoring System: If you see the tyre pressure monitoring system light pop up, it’s a sign to immediately pull over and assess the pressure in your tyres. The problem could be over-inflation, under-inflation, or simply a puncture. In some cars, tire pressure monitors include a display in the driver’s gauges to tell the driver the exact pressure in each tyre.

5. Brake System: Seeing the brake symbol light up is an issue, but it’s one that’s easily rectifiable. If a driver starts moving ahead with the handbrake pulled up, this warning symbol shows up. It’s highly inadvisable to continue driving with the handbrake engaged. In a few cases, the symbol can also light up if you’ve worn out your brake pads, the brake fluid levels are low, or there’s a problem with the ABS system. In any of the latter scenarios, it’s best to get the car checked by a professional.

6. Power Steering: The power steering warning light coming on is a cause for serious concern. Typically, if the symbol lights up, it means a complete loss of power steering, making it much harder to steer your vehicle, especially at slower speeds. The best thing to do is to park your car in a safe spot as soon as you can, and reach out for help. The possible cause for this symbol lighting up is an insufficient amount of steering wheel fluid in the reservoir. 

Conclusion

A vehicle is made up of thousands of components of varying sizes and complexities. The only way for drivers to understand if there’s something wrong with the car is to pay attention to the warning symbols that show up on the instrument cluster.

Depending on the kind of warning light or symbol that shows up, it’s extremely important to get to the bottom of the issue as soon as possible. Ignoring it or delaying it will only cause the problem to get more serious, and could end up being a lot more expensive to repair down the line.

FAQs

Q. What does a warning light mean in a car?

A warning light’s main intention is to alert you of a possible failure within the car.

Q. What is the most serious warning light in a car?
There are lots of symbols to keep an eye out for, but one of the most serious warning lights in a car is arguably the ‘check engine’ symbol showing up.

Q. Do warning lights differ for different cars?
There is a set of symbols that is universal for cars, regardless of make. There are also some symbols that are specific and unique to particular models. 

Q. What are the 2 main types of dashboard warning lights?

The two main dashboard warning lights you should look out for are ones that alert you of components that have already failed, and those that are at risk of failing in the near future.

Q. What does the coolant temperature warning light signify?

The coolant temperature warning light could signify that your car is overheating, either due to the coolant levels in the radiator being low, water pump not working, or something wrong with the radiator.

Q. Why is the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light on?

The TPMS light flashing could mean your tyre pressures are low, or over-inflated, or that you have a puncture.