Car dashboard symbols and what they mean
Tap the symbol glowing on your dashboard. You'll get a plain-English meaning, an urgency verdict — stop now, service soon, or informational — likely causes, and typical repair costs.
All 61 dashboard symbols and meanings
Grouped by what the light asks of you. Open any symbol for its causes, what to do now, and typical repair cost.
Stop driving (7)
Pull over as soon as it is safe. Open the symbol for what to check before going any further.
- Oil Pressure Warning Engine oil pressure has dropped dangerously low. Driving on can destroy the engine within minutes.
- Battery / Charging System Warning The charging system has failed — the car is running off the battery alone and will die soon.
- Engine Temperature Warning The engine is overheating. Continuing to drive can warp the cylinder head or blow the head gasket.
- Brake System Warning A problem in the hydraulic brake system — or simply the parking brake left on. Check the parking brake first.
- Door Ajar Warning A door, the hood, or the trunk is not fully latched.
- Transmission Temperature Warning Transmission fluid is overheating — common when towing, climbing long grades, or in heavy traffic.
- Hood Ajar Warning The hood is not fully latched — it can fly open at speed and block your view entirely.
Drive carefully to a mechanic (22)
Faults and alerts that need attention soon. Each page says what to do, how far it is reasonable to drive, and when not to.
- Check Engine Light The engine computer has detected a fault in the engine, emissions, or fuel system.
- Tire Pressure Warning (TPMS) One or more tires is significantly under-inflated (typically 25% below the recommended pressure).
- ABS Warning The anti-lock braking system is disabled. Regular brakes still work, but wheels can lock under hard braking.
- Airbag / SRS Warning A fault in the supplemental restraint system — airbags may not deploy in a crash.
- Power Steering Warning Power steering assistance has failed or is reduced — the wheel will be much heavier to turn.
- Traction Control / ESC Warning Flashing: the system is actively preventing wheelspin. Steady: traction control or stability control is off or has a fault.
- EPC Light (VW / Audi) On Volkswagen Group cars (VW, Audi, SEAT, Škoda), the engine computer has found a fault in the electronic throttle or engine management. Power may be limited.
- Glow Plug Warning (Diesel) Diesel engines only: glow plugs are preheating (normal at startup) — or a plug has failed if the light stays on or flashes.
- Forward Collision Warning Flashing red with a beep: brake now — the car detects an imminent collision. Steady amber: the system is unavailable.
- DPF Warning (Diesel) The diesel particulate filter is filling with soot and needs a regeneration drive — ignoring it leads to limp mode and a costly clean.
- AdBlue / DEF Warning Diesel exhaust fluid (AdBlue/DEF) is low. Most diesels will refuse to restart once it runs out.
- Service Reminder / Wrench Light Scheduled maintenance is due (oil, inspection) — or on some brands, a powertrain fault. Check your manual for your brand's meaning.
- Master Warning Light A general 'attention' triangle — it accompanies another message on the dashboard display telling you what is wrong.
- Engine Oil Level Low The oil level is below the minimum — top up soon before it becomes a pressure problem.
- Oil Change Reminder The car's oil-life monitor says the oil is due for replacement — schedule service soon.
- Bulb Failure Warning One of the exterior bulbs has burned out — usually a headlight, brake light, or indicator.
- Air Suspension Warning A fault in the air suspension — the car may sit low, ride harshly, or be stuck at one height.
- Adaptive Suspension Warning A fault in the adaptive dampers or electronic suspension control — ride and handling may default to a fixed setting.
- Pedestrian Detection Alert Flashing red: a pedestrian is detected in your path — brake. Steady amber: the detection system is unavailable.
- Driver Drowsiness Alert The car thinks you're getting drowsy — steering patterns or camera data suggest fatigue. Take a break.
- Distance / Following-Distance Alert You're following the vehicle ahead too closely for your speed — increase the gap.
- Trunk / Liftgate Ajar Warning The trunk, liftgate, or tailgate isn't fully closed — secure it before driving.
OK to drive (32)
Mostly confirmations that a feature is on, plus reminders and driver-assist notices. Open the symbol to see if anything needs doing.
- Seatbelt Reminder A front occupant is unbuckled, or the seat sensor thinks so.
- Low Fuel Warning Fuel is at reserve level — typically 30–50 miles of range remain.
- Washer Fluid Low The windshield washer reservoir is nearly empty.
- Front Fog Light Indicator Front fog lights are switched on. Informational only.
- High Beam Indicator High beams are on. Dip them for oncoming traffic.
- Turn Signal Indicator A turn signal or the hazard flashers are operating. Rapid blinking means a burned-out bulb.
- Cruise Control Indicator Cruise control is set or ready. Informational only.
- Parking Brake Indicator The parking brake is engaged. Driving with it on will overheat and wear the rear brakes.
- Low Beam / Headlight Indicator Low-beam headlights are on. Informational only.
- Eco / ECO Mode Indicator Economy mode is active, or you are currently driving efficiently. Informational only.
- Security / Immobilizer Indicator Flashing with the car off: the immobilizer is armed (normal). Lit while driving or at startup: the key is not recognized.
- Lane Departure / Lane Keep Warning The camera thinks you are drifting out of your lane without signaling — or the driver-assist system is unavailable.
- Key Not Detected The car can't see the key fob — usually a dead fob battery or the fob left outside the car.
- Key Fob Battery Low Early warning that the coin battery in your key fob is dying — replace it within days.
- Auto Start-Stop Indicator Shows start-stop system status: engine auto-off active, unavailable, or (amber) a system fault.
- Auto Hold Indicator Auto hold is active — the brakes stay applied at standstill so you can take your foot off the pedal.
- Hill Descent Control Indicator Hill descent control is armed — the car will automatically brake to a crawl on steep downhills.
- Sport Mode Indicator Sport drive mode is selected — sharper throttle, later shifts, heavier steering. Informational only.
- Snow / Slippery Mode Indicator Snow or slippery drive mode is selected — gentler throttle and earlier upshifts for low-grip surfaces.
- Trailer / Tow Mode Indicator A trailer is detected (or tow mode is on). A flashing light usually means a trailer-light wiring fault.
- Blind Spot Monitor Indicator In the mirror: a vehicle is in your blind spot. On the dash (amber): the monitoring system is unavailable.
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert Warns of vehicles approaching from the side while you reverse out of a space — or reports the system unavailable.
- Traffic Sign Recognition Indicator Displays the detected speed limit — flashing or highlighted means you're over it. Amber warning: the camera can't read signs.
- Head-Up Display Indicator Confirms the head-up display is on, or flags a HUD fault. Informational in most cases.
- Child Lock Indicator Rear door child locks are engaged — rear doors open from outside only.
- Rear Window Defrost Indicator Rear window defroster is on. It switches itself off after 10–15 minutes.
- Front Defrost Indicator Front windshield defrost is on — full heat and fan to the windshield, A/C compressor drying the air.
- Heated Seat Indicator A heated seat is on; the bars show the level. Informational only.
- Ventilated / Cooled Seat Indicator Seat ventilation is on — fans move air through the seat. Informational only.
- EV Charging Indicator The vehicle is charging (or ready to charge). A red/amber variant indicates a charging fault.
- EV / Hybrid READY Indicator The high-voltage system is live and the car is ready to drive — even though it's silent.
- Fuel Cap Warning The gas cap is loose or missing — tighten it until it clicks. Often appears before a check engine light.