Drivers are alerted to the presence of a fault in various vehicle systems using . It is not always possible to decipher the meaning of such burning icons intuitively, since not all motorists are well versed in cars. In addition, on different cars, the graphic designation of one total icon itself may differ. It is worth noting that not every light on the panel only indicates a critical malfunction. The indication of the light bulbs under the icons is divided by color into 3 groups:
Red icons they talk about danger, and if any symbol lights up in this color, you should pay attention to the on-board computer signal in order to take measures to quickly fix the problem. Sometimes they are not so critical, and it is possible to continue driving the car when such an icon on the panel is on, and sometimes it is not worth it.
Basic icons on the dashboard
Yellow indicators warn of a malfunction or the need to take some action to drive a car or service it.
Green light bulbs inform about the service functions of the car and their activity.
Let's present a list of the most frequently asked questions and a breakdown of what the burning icon on the panel means.
Information icons
car icon it may burn differently, it happens that the “car with a wrench” icon, the “car with a lock” icon or an exclamation mark is on. About all these designations in order:
When this indicator is lit ( car with key), then it informs about malfunctions in the operation of the engine (often a malfunction in the operation of any sensor) or the electronic part of the transmission. To find out the exact cause, you will need to produce.
caught fire red car with lock, which means that there are problems in the operation of the standard anti-theft system and it will be impossible to start the car, but if this icon blinks when the car is closed, then everything is normal - the car is locked.
Yellow exclamation mark machine indicator notifies the driver of a hybrid vehicle of an electric drive failure. Resetting the error by dropping the battery terminal will not solve the problem - diagnostics are needed.
open door icon everyone is used to seeing it burning when a door or trunk lid is open, but if all the doors are closed and the light with one or four doors continues to shine, then often the problem should be looked for in the door switches (wire contacts).
Starts blinking when the stability control system detects a slippery road section and is activated in order to prevent slipping by reducing engine power and braking the spinning wheel. There is no need to worry in such a situation. But when a key, a triangle or a crossed-out skid icon appeared near such an indicator, then the stabilization system is faulty.
Pops up on the scoreboard when it's time to service the car. It is an informational indicator even after its maintenance.
Warning icons on the panel
Steering wheel icon can light up in two colors. If the yellow steering wheel is on, then adaptation is required, and when a red image of the steering wheel with an exclamation mark appears, it is already worth worrying about the failure of the power steering or EUR system. When the red steering wheel is lit, it is likely that your steering wheel will become very difficult to turn.
As a rule, blinks if the car is closed; in this case, the indicator of a red car with a white key signals the operation of the anti-theft system. But there are 3 main reasons if the immo light is constantly on: it is not activated, if the label from the key is not read or the anti-theft system is faulty.
Lights up not only when the handbrake lever is activated (raised), but also when the brake pads are worn out or topping up is required / . On a car with an electronic handbrake, the parking brake light may light up due to a glitch in the limit switch or sensor.
It has several options and, depending on which one is on, draw conclusions about the problem accordingly. One red lamp with a thermometer scale indicates an increased temperature in the engine cooling system, but a yellow expansion tank with waves indicates a low coolant level in the system. But it is worth considering that the coolant lamp does not always burn at a low level, perhaps just a “glitch” of the sensor or float in the expansion tank.
Speaks of a low fluid level in the glass washer expansion tank. Such an indicator lights up not only when the level is actually lowered, but also if the level sensor is clogged (sensor contacts are coated due to low-quality liquid), giving a false signal. On some vehicles, the level sensor is triggered when the washer fluid specification does not match.
- This is an indicator of the anti-spin system (Anti-Spin Regulation). The electronic unit of this system is paired with ABS sensors. When such a light is constantly on, it means that the ASR is not working. On different cars, such an icon may look different, but often in the form of an exclamation mark in a triangle with an arrow around or the inscription itself, or in the form of a car on a slippery road.
According to the information from the manual, it indicates a malfunction in the exhaust gas purification system, but, as a rule, such a light starts to burn after poor refueling or the presence of a sensor error. The system registers misfiring of the mixture, as a result of which the content of harmful substances in the exhaust gases increases and, as a result, the “exhaust gases” light is on on the dashboard. The problem is not critical, but diagnostics should be done to find out the cause.
Fault reporting
It lights up if the voltage in the on-board network drops, often such a problem is associated with a lack of battery charge from the generator, so it can also be called "generator icon". On vehicles with a hybrid engine, this indicator is supplemented by the inscription "MAIN" at the bottom.
He is a red oiler - indicates a drop in the oil level in the car engine. Such an icon lights up when the engine is started, and does not go out after a few seconds or may light up while driving. This fact indicates problems in the lubrication system or a drop in oil level or pressure. The oil icon on the panel can be with a droplet or with waves at the bottom, on some cars the indicator is supplemented with the inscription min, senso, oil level (inscriptions yellow color) or simply the letters L and H (characterizing low and high oil levels).
It can light up in several ways: both the red inscription SRS and AIRBAG, and the “red man wearing a seat belt”, and a circle in front of him. When one of these icons is lit on the panel, then - this is the on-board computer notifying you of a malfunction in the passive safety system, and in the event of an accident, the airbags will not work. The reasons why the pillow sign lights up, and how to fix the problem, read the article on the site.
Icon Exclamation point may look different and its meanings, respectively, will also be different. So, for example, when the red (!) in the circle is on, this indicates a malfunction of the brake system and it is advisable not to continue driving until the cause of its occurrence is clarified. They can be very different: the hand brake is raised, the brake pads are worn out, or the brake fluid level has dropped. A low level is just dangerous, because the reason may be not only in heavily worn pads, as a result of which, when you press the pedal, the liquid diverges through the system, and the float gives a signal of a low level, the brake hose may be damaged somewhere, and this is already much more serious. Although, very often the exclamation mark lights up if the float (level sensor) is out of order or shorted out, and then it just lies. On some cars, the exclamation mark is accompanied by the inscription "BRAKE", but this does not change the essence of the problem.
Another exclamation mark can be lit in the form of an “attention” sign, both on a red background and on a yellow one. When the yellow “attention” sign lights up, it reports a malfunction in the electronic stabilization system, and if it is on a red background, it simply warns the driver about something, and, as a rule, explanatory text is lit on the dashboard display or combined with other informative designation.
ABS icon may have several display options on the dashboard, but regardless of this, it means the same thing on all cars - a malfunction in the ABS system, and that the anti-lock wheel system is not working at the moment. You can find out the reasons in our article. In this case, the movement can be made, but it is not necessary to count on the operation of the ABS, the brakes will work as usual.
It can either light up intermittently or burn constantly. A light bulb with such an inscription indicates problems with the stabilization system. The Electronic Stability Program indicator, as a rule, lights up for one of two reasons - either the steering angle sensor is out of order, or the brake light switch on sensor (aka “frog”) ordered to live for a long time. Although, there is a more serious problem, for example, the brake system pressure sensor has covered itself.
Some drivers may refer to it as the "injector icon" or , may be amber when the engine is running. It informs about the presence of engine errors and malfunctions of its electronic systems. To determine the cause of its appearance on the dashboard display, self-diagnosis or computer diagnostics are performed.
glow plug icon can light up on the dashboard of a diesel car, the meaning of such an indicator is exactly the same as the “check” icon on gasoline cars. When there are no errors in the memory of the electronic unit, the spiral icon should go out after the engine warms up and the glow plugs are turned off. How to check glow plugs.
This material is informative for most car owners. And although absolutely all possible icons of all existing cars are not presented here, you will be able to independently understand the main symbols of the car dashboard, and do not sound the alarm when you see that the icon on the panel is lit again.
Nowadays, a lot of stickers on cars have appeared, among them there are both informational and comic ones. Consider stickers with an exclamation mark.
As is customary everywhere, the exclamation point calls us to attention. In traffic rules, such a sign is called “Beginner Driver” and it looks like an exclamation mark in a yellow square bordered with a black thin line with a side of 15 cm. The sticker should warn others about possible non-standard actions of a beginner. I note that a driver with an experience of less than 2 years is considered a beginner.
Where to put an exclamation mark on a car?
Where is the best place to place the sign "Beginner driver"
There is no clear indication in the rules, but there is a phrase about placing the sign in a conspicuous place. Based on this, the recommended place for the sticker can be considered the upper and lower corners of the rear window, the upper or lower corner on the front glass on the passenger side, or on the trunk near the car number plate.
When the driving experience reaches 2 years, the exclamation mark sticker can be removed.
Choose the location of the sign carefully. For example, if you often drive on dirt roads, then even in dry weather the car will be covered in dust and the sign may become difficult to read. Therefore, it is still better to hang it in the upper corners of the front and rear windows. It can be seen better and there will also be fewer questions.
Is an exclamation mark required or not on a car?
In the rules traffic It was noted that the “Beginner Driver” sign is mandatory for persons whose driving experience is less than 2 years. However, there are no penalties for not doing so. So, if a traffic police inspector stops you, he will not issue you a fine, but will only indicate that you need to place a sticker.
But the opinions of drivers differ about the need for this identification mark. On the one hand, if they see that the newcomer has stalled at a traffic light, they will peacefully wait, and will not swear and honk wildly. On the other hand, few newcomers, sadly, evoke sympathy and understanding, and with such an icon you can quickly run into rough driving in order to “teach”.
The “Beginner Driver” sign does not give any privileges on the road.
In a difficult traffic situation, an exclamation mark sticker can warn others of a lack of driving experience.
If you have decided to follow all the rules of the road and attach the “novice driver” sign, then the following task arises: “Where can I buy such an exclamation point for a car?” Now it does not cause any difficulties. Can be purchased online or at regular auto parts stores. How do you feel more comfortable!
Exclamation point in a triangle and other options
Caution - novice driver
On the car, in addition to the beginner sticker, you can see the following stickers: an exclamation mark in a yellow triangle or an exclamation mark in a triangle with a red border. Such signs have nothing to do with traffic rules!
An exclamation point in a triangle with a red border on a white background is road sign"Other dangers". And if you see it on the glass, it is not entirely clear what dangers the driver wanted to warn you about.
Other signs, such as shoes, dogs, pregnant women, etc. can hardly be classified as informative. No one forbids decorating your car, as long as it does not interfere with traffic safety.
A significant part of the modern population of the Earth has any means of transport. Automobiles are especially common in developed countries. Consequently, at some point there was an urgent need to create an effective regulation of the increasingly intensive traffic. An international system of signs was created. Currently, the whole variety of such symbols is divided into several main categories. Let's consider some of them.
warning signs
This category is distinguished by the fact that a significant part of the designations is framed by a red triangle. Thus, they seem to focus the attention of the road user on a possible danger, which, in turn, points to them. Of course, the designation system includes the most common options for dangerous sections of the road. Movement along them requires maximum concentration and timely adoption of measures to stabilize the situation. For example, this may be an intersection with an iron traffic control with a traffic light, dangerous turns, road surface features, permitted movement of pedestrians, repair work, the possibility of animals appearing, and so on. In the event that you saw in the red triangle, then you should remember that such a designation includes the so-called "other hazards". These are all kinds of threats to further successful and stable movement that are not provided for by other symbols.
Priority signs
It should be remembered that not only in the previous category there is such a symbol as a red triangle. The sign is also included in the priority group. Here, a similar symbol also serves to attract the attention of the driver of the vehicle. The red triangle in the context of this category warns of the intersection of the main road with the secondary, as well as the junction of the latter. It is important to remember that rapprochement can occur both on the right side and on the left. Let's look at another important question. What does the upside down red triangle mean? A similar symbol is called “Give way” and means that a traffic participant heading for an intersection with a main road along a secondary road must take all necessary actions so as not to interfere with the movement of other drivers.
Feature of the sign "red triangle"
Every road user should remember that the above geometric figure occurs only in the previously presented two groups: warning and priority signs. In all others: prescriptive, prohibitive, informational, service, designations of additional information and special instructions- it is customary to use rectangles, squares and circles.
Location
As mentioned earlier, the red triangle is most often found in warning signs, the main task of which is to alert the driver to possible dangerous situations on the road. Therefore, the necessity of its installation at a certain distance before the beginning of the suspicious area is described. Within the boundaries of the settlement, this value ranges from 50 to 100 meters, and outside it varies from 150 to 300 m. In some cases, an additional installation of a special plate called "Distance to the object" is provided, which displays the required value. In addition, if the dangerous area is long enough, it is also possible to install the sign "Area of action", which is installed under the corresponding warning symbol.
Important to remember
If any sign is located on a yellow background, then this means that it is temporary. With regard to warning symbols, this may mean that the danger has arisen relatively recently, and the road authorities have not yet had time to take action to eliminate it. If you saw a red triangle on a yellow background and identified it as something, it is likely that repairs are being carried out somewhere along your route. They were the reason for the change in movement on this section of the road. Of course, we should not forget that in the presence of ordinary and repair signs, it is imperative to comply with the requirements of the latter.
Release forms
Currently, all signs present in the rules of the road are made on a metal base, which is covered with a special retroreflective compound. This makes the sign visible at any time of the day. In some cases, contour LED backlighting can be used. It is provided either by miniature incandescent lamps or by the more common LEDs.
