What does the three horizontal bars on the Octavia dashboard km/h display mean?
4 Answers
The three horizontal bars on the Octavia dashboard km/h display indicate a fault in the speedometer circuit. Circuit fault: The three horizontal bars are a circuit fault indicator. When this light is illuminated, there is likely a fault in the braking system. In this case, you should drive at low speed or stop to check. It could also mean that the electromechanical steering mechanism is not working or there is a fault in the steering column lock, in which case you should not continue driving. Dashboard settings: Odometer: This meter displays the total accumulated mileage and the trip mileage. It only works when the ignition is on. Briefly pressing the reset/adjust button 9 allows you to switch between the two mileage display modes. To adjust the clock, press the menu button 9 once to enter the hour adjustment mode. Use the reset/adjust button 9 to adjust the hour value; each press increases the displayed value by one hour. Holding the button allows for rapid adjustment.
Last time I drove my Octavia, I also encountered this three-bar indicator. When I noticed the speedometer numbers turned into three bars, I panicked a bit. Actually, this is usually a sensor issue, especially the wheel speed sensor which can get clogged by mud or suffer from aging wiring. I tried stopping and restarting the car, and even cleaned the sensors near the tires, but it still didn’t display. Finally, upon inspection, I found that the wiring harness of the left front wheel sensor was worn out. If you encounter this kind of problem, it’s best to check it early. Missing speed information not only makes it easy to speed but can also affect the ABS anti-lock function, which is particularly dangerous on highways.
A friend encountered several cases of the three horizontal bars warning light at the 4S dealership, mostly indicating a loss of vehicle speed signal. The most common issues are the wheel speed sensor being jammed by metal shavings or loose wiring connectors. Once, while watching a technician diagnose the problem, the odometer numbers froze immediately, clearly pointing to a signal source issue. Fixing this kind of fault yourself is quite troublesome—it requires lifting the car to inspect the sensor wiring on all four wheels, and sometimes even replacing the wheel speed tone ring. Remember to check if the ABS warning light next to the handbrake light is also on; if it is, don’t delay the repair.
I've experienced this three-dash issue and summarized a solution: first, pull over, turn off the engine, wait three minutes, then restart—sometimes the ECU reset fixes it. If the warning persists, listen for abnormal noises from the wheel hub; a failed bearing can block sensor signals. As a last resort, use your navigation app's speed display as a substitute. The sensor itself isn't expensive but replacement is time-consuming—last time it took half a day because the entire wheel hub had to be disassembled for rewiring. Note: This fault may disable cruise control, so always check before long trips.
