What Indicator Lights Are There on the Car Dashboard?
3 Answers
Car dashboard indicator lights include door alerts, handbrake alerts, seatbelt alerts, engine self-check, lubrication oil status check, ABS system check, airbag check, and more. Below is a partial introduction to car dashboard indicator lights: 1. Basic vehicle status indicator symbols: Common and frequently used icons include door alerts, handbrake alerts, seatbelt alerts, engine self-check, lubrication oil status check, ABS system check, airbag check, battery alerts, and fuel level alerts. 2. Lighting information indicator symbols: In addition to the aforementioned vehicle safety-related symbols, there is another set of indicators that are equally important, as they are even crucial to driving safety—these are the lighting indicator symbols.
After driving for more than ten years, it's essential to recognize those small icons on the dashboard clearly. The red ones are the most critical. For example, if the oil pressure light comes on, you must stop immediately; otherwise, the engine could be ruined. The coolant temperature warning light is also red and most likely to illuminate during summer traffic jams. Yellow lights are warnings, like the engine fault light or tire pressure alert—you can still drive slowly to a repair shop when these light up. Green and blue lights are generally functional indicators, such as the high beam symbol or cruise control activation sign. Pay special attention to the battery light; if it comes on, it indicates a charging system issue, and the car might stall unexpectedly. Icon designs vary across different car brands, so it's best to have the salesperson explain them in detail when you pick up the car.
For new drivers, the dashboard can be confusing. Here's a simple classification: symbols with an exclamation mark usually require caution. For example, an exclamation mark inside a circle indicates a brake system issue, while one inside parentheses signals abnormal tire pressure. The triangular exclamation mark is the most troublesome, as it could indicate various electronic faults. The thermometer icon represents water temperature—a red thermometer means you must stop immediately. The oil can light indicates insufficient oil pressure, which is more dangerous than running out of fuel. The battery light, which looks like a battery, means you should head straight to a repair shop without turning off the engine. A handy tip is to keep the vehicle manual in the glove box and refer to it whenever an unfamiliar light appears. Modern cars also have ADAS system indicator lights, such as the lane departure icon, which looks like a car driving on a dotted line.
