How to Read the Dashboard Lights

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 completely-digitalized dashboard components.

Take for example BMW's 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. That's why we've 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 there's something wrong with the Anti-lock Brake System. Note that the ABS symbol is activated once the drive starts the engine but it's 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 there's 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. 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
10. 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.
11. Side airbag – same as the front airbag but intended for the side airbag
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. Windshield wash – the notification appears once the windshield wipers are activated
15. Master lighting switch
16. Rear window defrost – pretty self-explanatory, it is 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. Brake fluid malfunction – rarely installed on the dashboard, it unveils a problem in the brake fluid recipient
19. Battery warning – if this light is turned on while driving, 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. Emergency indicator – the notification is activated once the driver pushes the emergency button
22. Cruise control – this light is turned on if the cruise control system is activated; note that it may differ by brand and car model.
23. Windshield defrost – similar to rear window defrost but especially intended for windshield
24. Powertrain malfunction – if on, this light shows that the powertrain has been damaged and the car needs to be serviced as soon as possible.


 
25. 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, this symbol flashes once the Securilock Anti-theft technology has been enabled
28. Electronic Throttle Control light – briefly enabled when the driver starts the engine, the indicator shows a malfunction in the Electronic Throttle Control system
29. AWD – with a pretty suggestive name, this panel is lighted on once the all-wheel drive system is enabled
30. ESP/BAS light – similar to the ABS indicator, but 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. High beam light – it is turned on once the driver activates the high beam mode of the headlights
36. Oil pressure warning – this notification is turned on if the ECU detects a problem with the oil pressure; the driver is usually recommended to stop the vehicle and service it as soon as possible.