CAL on a car's dashboard typically stands for "Calibration" or "Calculate," and it indicates the system is in a learning or reset mode. You'll most often see it on your tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) after you've rotated or replaced your tires. The light means the system is recalibrating to learn the new positions of the tire sensors. It should turn off on its own after you drive a short distance, usually between 10-30 minutes at a steady speed. In other contexts, like a trip computer, "CAL" might refer to a calculation function for fuel economy or distance.
When you see the CAL light, the best course of action is to drive normally. For a TPMS, the system needs to recalibrate by receiving signals from each sensor as you drive. Avoid hard braking or sharp turns during this period, as steady driving helps the system learn faster. If the light doesn't go off after 30-50 miles of driving, there might be an issue, such as a faulty sensor or a system error that requires a professional scan tool to reset.
It’s important not to confuse a CAL light with a steady or flashing TPMS warning light (which looks like a horseshoe with an exclamation point). A solid TPMS light indicates low pressure in one or more tires, while a flashing light usually signals a sensor malfunction. The CAL indicator is generally a temporary status message, not a warning.
Here’s a quick reference for different CAL-related scenarios:
| Scenario | Likely Meaning | Typical Duration | User Action |
|---|
| After tire rotation | TPMS Recalibration | 10-30 mins of driving | Drive at steady speed |
| After replacing a tire | TPMS Sensor Learning | 10-30 mins of driving | Drive at steady speed |
| On a trip computer | Calculate/Calculation Mode | Until manually exited | Check vehicle manual for function |
| Light remains on after prolonged driving | Potential Sensor Fault | Persistent | Visit a mechanic for diagnosis |
