What does the letter A inside a circle on a car mean?
2 Answers
An A inside a circle on a car refers to the Auto Hold function. After turning on this switch, when the moving vehicle is braked, even if you release the brake pedal, the vehicle will not continue moving. It will only resume driving when you press the accelerator, which automatically cancels the hold. If you want to turn it off, you must do so manually. When the vehicle is temporarily stopped and needs to restart within a short period, the parking function is controlled by the ESP system, which applies the brakes. The computer uses a series of sensors to measure the vehicle's level and wheel torque, determines if there is any tendency for the vehicle to roll, and applies an appropriate braking force to keep the vehicle stationary.
The other day when I gave my sister her new car, she pointed to the circle with an A on the dashboard and asked me what it was for. I told her it's the auto start-stop indicator light, and when it's lit green, it means the system is active. For example, when you come to a stop at a red light and press the brake pedal firmly, the engine will shut off to save fuel; when the light turns green and you release the brake, the car will start up again on its own. However, this feature often pauses when you're using the heater in winter, otherwise it would get cold if the compressor stopped. It's important to note that if this light turns yellow, it's likely due to low battery voltage or unsuitable environmental conditions—it's not a malfunction. But if it turns red, you should get the car checked.
