Car 101: new dash symbols - ones you've never seen before but are important

Thursday, 23 August 2018

In Part 3 of this week's Car 101 we take a look at some of the newer symbols in modern cars and what they mean.

In the final part of our by-no-means-exhaustive list of dash light symbols (read part 1 here and part 2 here) we will be taking a look at some of the newer ones to appear in modern cars over the last few years.

These ones generally aren't urgent warning lights and usually don't require you to do anything, but they might confuse you…

As we have mentioned in the previous two parts, this is by no means an exhaustive list and the symbols can and do differ between manufacturers and even different models from the same manufacturer. If in doubt, check with your mechanic.

**READ MORE

Lane departure warning - tells you when you are drifting out of your lane.

* Car 101: dashboard symbols part 1 - the basics

* Car 101: Dashboard symbols part 2 - the important ones

Head-up display - projects important information on the windscreen.

* Car 101: what all those letters and numbers on the side of a tyre mean**

Speed limiter - not cruise control, but usually part of the system.

If this symbol (or something like it) flashes at you while you are driving your late model car, it means the car has cameras monitoring the white lines on the road and you have drifted over one.

Park assist - the car can help you into a tight spot.

Depending on your car, you may even feel the car gently steering itself back into the lane, if it has steering assist as well.

Auto stop/start - stops the engine to save fuel.

Bonus old light: glow plug - as seen in older diesel vehicles.

If you are changing lanes, using the indicator will disable this warning for the manouevre.

No, this one doesn't mean there is a giant lower case 'i' heading at you, it simply means the head-up display is active.

A head-up display projects information directly on the windscreen (or a small clear pop up screen) so you can keep your eyes on the road.

This one confuses people because it is similar to cruise control and usually operates as part of a cruise control system.

It simply means that the speed limiter is active, keeping you from drifting over a limit you have set it at. For safety's sake, however, full throttle will always override it.

There are a number of different symbols for this, but they all basically mean that the car is ready and waiting to help you guide it into a parking space.

Various manufacturers' systems may differ, but generally they will operate the steering, while the driver has responsibility for the throttle and brake.

If you engine stops at a traffic light and this symbol is displayed, you haven't stalled; your car just has an automatic stop/start system that shuts the engine down when the car isn't moving to save on fuel. It will restart when you take pressure off the brake pedal.

You really don't see this one in newer cars anymore, but on older diesel cars it means that the heating element (glow plug) is activated to help the old diesel donk kick into life when it is cold.

When the light goes out, you are good to go. If it stays on, or blinks, then there is a fault.