Dashboard

Dashboard Symbols

Understanding the symbols on your vehicle’s dashboard is crucial for maintaining your car’s health and safety. These symbols are designed to alert you to various issues, from minor maintenance needs to serious mechanical problems. On this page, Carage offers our Jupiter area clients a comprehensive guide to the most commonly found dashboard symbols and what each one signifies. Whether it’s a warning about your engine, brakes, or tires, knowing what these symbols mean can help you address issues promptly and avoid potential breakdowns in and around the Palm Beach County area.

Learn more about each symbols meaning and the recommended action

Tire Pressure Warning

When the tire pressure warning symbol is light on the dashboard it may mean that one or more of a vehicle’s tires have low air pressure or there is a sensor not operating properly. Vehicle owners should inspect the tires for proper air pressure. And while some automobiles require a professional diagnosis, some are programmed to enable owners to manually reset the TPMS warning light. Of course Carage customers can always schedule an appointment to have one of our technicians do this service as well.

Brake System Warning

When the brake system warning light is visible on the dashboard of a vehicle it can mean either the parking brake is engaged or there may be a serious issue with the brake system. If the latter it is highly recommended scheduling an appointment and letting a skilled auto technician of the Carage team do a complete brake inspection.

Cruise Control Activated

When driving around the roads of the Jupiter or the surrounding Palm Beach County area in cruise control, the cruise control activation light is visible on the dashboard of a vehicle. Cruise control is a feature on many automobiles that when used, enables the vehicle to travel at a constant speed until the brakes are applied or the system is manually disengaged by a vehicle’s operator.

Fog Lights Activated

The fog lights symbol indicates that a vehicle’s fog lights are in use. This symbol displays only when vehicle’s fog lights are actively in use and will not be light when they are turned off. For those in the Jupiter area who do not have but want fog lights installed, schedule an appointment and let Carage install them properly.

High Beams Indicator

The high beams’ indicator symbol informs a driver that the vehicle’s high beams are actively in use. This dashboard symbol is only visible when high beams are being used. Carage makes it a practice to remind our customers that high beams should be turned off when other vehicles are approaching.

Electrical Problem Warning

When there is a problem with a vehicle’s electrical system, the electrical problem light will be visible on the dashboard. Consisting of the battery, alternator, and starter, a problem with the electrical system should be diagnosed and repaired quickly. The technicians at Carage are experts at repairing vehicle electrical systems and invite anyone in Jupiter or the surrounding Palm Beach County area who may have the electrical problem warning light visible to schedule an appointment at Carage and let a qualified technician get you back on the road quickly and safely.

Low Fuel Warning

The customers of Carage are probably all too familiar with the low-fuel warning symbol on their vehicles’ dashboards. The light is intended to let drivers know that the fuel level is low and the vehicle should be refueled quickly to avoid being stranded on the roads of Jupiter or those throughout Palm Beach County. If upon refueling the low fuel warning light does not turn off there may be a malfunction with the sensor and it is recommended to schedule an appointment and let a technician at Carage service and repair the vehicle.

Engine Temperature Warning

The engine temperature warning light is a very important symbol as it informs a driver that the vehicle should be stopped quickly (but safely) and the engine turned off. This warning symbol means an engine’s temperature is too high and vehicle fluid levels should be checked using proper guidelines for doing so.

Airbag Service

The airbag service indicator light means one of a vehicle’s airbags has a problem. Modern automobiles have numerous airbags and when the airbag service light is visible it is recommended to schedule an appointment to bring the vehicle to our auto repair shop in Jupiter and let a Carage team member inspect the airbag. How Airbags Work?

Open Door Warning

As the name indicates, the open door warning symbol means a vehicle door is open. When visible each door should be checked until the light disappears. If upon checking all doors the symbol remains light, schedule an appointment at Carage and let a qualified technician inspect and repair if necessary.

Rear Hatch Door Warning

The presence of the rear hatch door warning symbol lets a driver know that the trunk or rear-hatch is open or ajar. If the rear-hatch light is continually present it may mean the sensor is faulty and one should consider scheduling an appointment to let a mechanic at Carage inspect and service the indicator if necessary.

Low Oil Pressure

The low oil pressure light, as the name implies, indicates a vehicle’s oil level is low and should be checked as quickly as possible. For those not familiar with how to properly check the oil level, schedule an appointment or just stop by Carage and let one of our auto mechanics be of service.

ABS Brake System Error

The warning light for the ABS brake system means there is an error in a vehicle’s anti-lock system. The purpose of the ABS system is to help drivers keep control in extreme braking situations in addition to slippery roadways. This is achieved by ensuring the wheels do not lock up when driving around the roadways of Jupiter and the greater Palm Beach County area.

Battery Warning

The battery warning light is indicative that a vehicle’s battery many be in need of service. Often times the service may be as simple as simply cleaning the batteries terminals, while other times the car battery may need recharging or replacement. Carage invites those living in Jupiter or the surrounding Palm Beach County area that believe they have a car battery problem to schedule an appointment at our auto repair shop for a thorough battery inspection.

Emergency Flasher

When a vehicle’s hazard lights (emergency flashers) are on, the emergency flasher light will display on the dashboard or console. The purpose of the hazard lights is to inform other drivers on the roads in Jupiter or the Palm Beach County area know the driver is dealing with an emergency situation and to exercise caution when approaching the vehicle.

Seatbelt Warning Light

The seat belt warning light is one of the more important warning symbols on the dashboard of a vehicle. The purpose of the warning symbol is to let passengers know that seat belts are not in use or improperly fastened. Carage tells customers if the seat belt warning light is present when seat belts are properly fastened to schedule an appointment to have this very important vehicle safety feature inspected and repaired if necessary.

Check Engine Light

The presence of the check engine light on a dashboard is indicative that there is one (or more) problems with a vehicle’s engine. As there are a plethora of issues that could be associated with the check engine light, it is best to schedule an appointment to have the problem properly diagnosed by a technician of the Carage team at our auto repair shop serving the greater Jupiter area.

Traction Control Warning

When a vehicle’s traction control system malfunctions or has been deactivated the traction control warning symbol appears on the dashboard. Carage tells customers that when the roads in Jupiter, or the surrounding Palm Beach County area are wet or icy, the traction control system should be implemented. Additionally, customers are told to schedule an appointment at Carage if the system malfunctions.

Child Safety Lock Activated

The child safety lock activation symbol is indicative that rear passenger door locks have been activated. Locking the child safety lock ensures that the rear passenger doors can only be opened from the exterior of the vehicle. When problems occur with the rear passenger door locks, or any other locks on a vehicle for that matter, feel free to schedule an appointment to have one of the technicians on the Carage team perform an inspection to make sure the vehicle’s locks are working properly.

Exterior Light Failure

As the name implies, the visibility of the exterior light failure symbol on the dashboard indicates that an exterior light’s bulb has failed and should be replaced for optimal visibility for nighttime vehicle operation or during inclement weather. The team at Carage is ready to help anyone in Jupiter or the throughout the Palm Beach County area that has a light burned out. Just schedule an appointment and let one of our technicians get you safely back on the road today.

Washer Fluid Level Low 1

The washer fluid level low symbol means the vehicle’s fluid level for the windshield is low and should be filled. For optimal driving visibility Carage recommends refilling the fluid reservoir as soon as possible.

Rear Washer Fluid Level Low

The rear washer fluid level low symbol lets a driver know when the reservoir for the rear window windshield wiper is low and needs replenishment. Carage tells our customers to keep the reservoir filled to ensure safe driving around Jupiter and surrounding Palm Beach County area.

Turn Signal

The blinking turn signal symbol on a dashboard represents a vehicle is getting prepared to change lanes, make a turn, or exit the roadway. When a turn signal symbol is blinking more rapidly than normal it usually means a bulb is about to burn out and to schedule an appointment at Carage to have it replaced. Learn More

Brake Fluid Level Low

The low level brake fluid indicator light is as the name implies. A vehicle’s brake pads wearing down, or a leak, will result in the reservoir’s fluid level going down. As the brake system is a very important part of the safe operation of any automobile, it is important to schedule an appointment at our auto repair shop and let one of the Carage team members do a brake inspection.

Engine Hood Open

When the hood of a vehicle is not completely closed the engine hood light will display on the dashboard to let the driver know it is open. The presence of this warning symbol requires that the hood should be completely shut prior to driving the vehicle around Jupiter or the surrounding Palm Beach County area.

Frost Warning

The purpose of the frost warning symbol is to let a driver know when the temperature outside the automobile is either at or below freezing. It should be noted that on certain vehicles the frost warning symbol can also indicate that the vehicle is being driven in snow mode.

Key Not Present

The key not present symbol is used for vehicles with a keyless ignition. The purpose of the key not present symbol is to let a driver know that the key is not close enough for the vehicle to start or continue running. When the light is present despite the proper proximity of the key it can mean that there is a sensor malfunction and one should schedule an appointment with Carage for immediate servicing.

Lane Departure Warning

The lane departure warning symbol plays an important role in safely driving around the Jupiter and greater Palm Beach County area. The purpose of the lane departure warning light informs a driver that the vehicle is veering or leaving a lane with detectable lane markers. In many vehicles the lane departure warning symbol is accompanied by a chime sound. When continually light, Carage recommends scheduling an appointment to find out if there is a faulty system in need of servicing.

Parking Brake Light

The parking brake light appears on a dashboard upon engaging a vehicle’s parking brake or to inform a vehicle’s owner that the parking brake requires servicing. Carage recommends to customers that the parking brake should be inspected regularly to ensure it works and is available in situations when required, often times when parking on an incline in Jupiter.

Service Required

The service required warning symbol informs a vehicle’s owner that a service or preventative maintenance is required. Quite often this symbol is a courtesy reminder for scheduled regular maintenance, but other times it could be indicating that a more important or serious problem needs to be diagnosed and repair. When a customer calls Carage about the service required symbol appearing on the dashboard we advise them to schedule an appointment and let one of our qualified technicians inspect the vehicle.

Dirty Air Filter

When a vehicle’s engine air filter is blocked or dirty the dirty air filter light will be visible. And even though replacing air filters is a part of any regularly scheduled maintenance routine, if the dirty air filter light is visible schedule an appointment to have the air filter replaced immediately by a technician at Carage.

Horn Failure

The horn failure symbol lets a driver know that the vehicle’s horn has failed or is not operating properly. A horn problem can include the horn’s sound not emitting a sound at all or the sound being too low to be effective in warning other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians. As the horn is an important part of a vehicle’s ability to operate safely on the roads of the Jupiter and surrounding Palm Beach County area, drivers with this symbol present should schedule an appointment to let a technician at Carage fix the problem correctly.

Power Steering Warning

The power steering light warning symbol appears to indicate a problem with a vehicle’s power steering. Often times unusual sounds or difficult steering may mean a problem with the steering system. Carage strongly encourages customers to schedule an appointment for inspection and service when the power steering light appears on the dashboard.

Gas Cap Warning

The gas cap warning light means that the gas cap on a vehicle may not be completely tightened. If the gas cap warning light does not turn off after tightening the gas cap, it is recommended to schedule an appointment so the problem can be correctly diagnosed and serviced by a qualified technician at Carage.

Four-Wheel Drive Warning

When the four-wheel drive warning light appears on the dashboard it can inform a vehicle’s driver that either the four-wheel drive is in use or that there is an issue with the system itself. The four-wheel drive system is often used for maximal operation in rough terrain situations and if not working correctly the problem should be fixed immediately to prevent any injuries to a vehicle’s occupants.

Fuse Warning

When the fuse warning light displays on a dashboard it means that one (or more) of a vehicle’s fuses are in need of replacement. It is important to schedule an appointment at Carage quickly to have a faulty fuse(s) replaced or serviced. This helps to ensure continued safe and proper operation of a vehicle when driving the roads of the Jupiter area.