What does it mean when the plus and minus lights on the dashboard are on?

[VonWalter]

When the car is turned off and the power is shut down, the dashboard still maintains a standby function. After the driver exits the vehicle and closes the doors, the dashboard will automatically turn off the plus and minus lights. Below is relevant information about the car dashboard: Introduction to car dashboards: With advancements in electronic technology and the emergence of new sensors and electronic display components, electronic dashboards for cars have been rapidly adopted. Common indicators include the fuel indicator, washer fluid indicator, electronic throttle indicator, front and rear fog light indicators, and warning lights. The function of the car dashboard: The car dashboard serves as a device that reflects the working conditions of various vehicle systems. It continuously monitors the car's status and provides the driver with necessary operational parameter information, serving as an important interface for communication between the driver and the vehicle.

[DelEvelyn]

When I used to drive an automatic transmission car, I encountered a situation where the plus and minus lights on the dashboard came on. Usually, that means the car accidentally switched to manual mode. You might have unintentionally pressed the paddle shifters next to the steering wheel or the button on the gear lever. This issue is quite common and can easily be triggered during sharp turns or when reaching for something. Just switch it back to automatic mode—it's simple: shift the gear lever to a different position while parked, or press the mode button a few times. If you see the light on while driving, don’t worry about safety, but continuous manual operation without experience might cause the engine to rev too high, wasting fuel. I recommend getting familiar with your car’s settings to avoid such minor incidents. If the light won’t turn off or keeps reappearing, check if the control switch is loose. If that doesn’t help, have a professional check the transmission system for issues—these false signals are usually not serious but can affect your driving mood.

[GemmaDella]

I remember one time when I was driving, the dashboard suddenly lit up with the plus-minus gear indicator. At that moment, I thought the car was broken and got really nervous. Actually, it just meant the manual shift function was activated, probably because I accidentally touched the gear control button. Trying to toggle it a few times usually restores normal automatic mode. This light coming on isn't a fault alarm unless you frequently ignore it and cause engine strain. I learned a little trick: after starting the car, first confirm the gear lever is in the standard position to prevent accidental touches. Occasionally cleaning the control area inside the car can also prevent dust from causing false activations. Only if it keeps flashing continuously is it worth worrying about - it might indicate poor circuit contact needing simple maintenance. In short, don't let it interfere with the joy of driving.

[StSamantha]

The plus/minus lights on the dashboard usually indicate accidental entry into manual driving mode. When I encountered this while driving a friend's car, I immediately pulled over to check the gear lever settings. The lights went off after switching back to automatic mode - this is the simplest solution. While not immediately dangerous during driving, improper manual shifting can increase fuel consumption or engine wear. For safety reasons, it's recommended to maintain the transmission system regularly to prevent similar accidental triggers.