Do You Actually Know What All of These ls Dashboard Symbos Mean?

AUTO

By: Kennita Leon

7 Min Quiz

Image: Youtube by Tutoriale AUTO

About This Quiz

As you may already know, the dashboard is the control panel in a vehicle that is located just behind the steering wheel. It displays the controls necessary for a vehicle's smooth running and operation.

Now, you may also know that not all vehicles have the same dashboard. The differentiating factors are the age of the vehicle, whether it takes gas or diesel, how many features the vehicle has and whether or not it's energy efficient. Despite this, there are always a few that all vehicles have, such as low fuel, brake warnings and service required. If you want to prove your auto knowledge, do it by taking this dashboard symbols quiz. 

Back in the day, all dashboards needed to show were oil pressure and the speed and fuel levels. The word dashboard was first used not to describe a car, but a wooden barrier in a horse-drawn carriage. They've come a long way, and now show an array of things not limited to a tachometer, turn indicators and more. At the very least, you should know that anything flashing red means bad stuff, but we're going to test you beyond that!

So if you think you've got what it takes to ace this quiz, give it a go and show us what you've got! 

Know what this symbol is trying to say?

Also known as the "Charging Alert," this light is certainly not to be ignored as it is an indication that the vehicle's car battery voltage is lower than normal. A decrease in charge can result in the vehicle quickly losing all electrical power.

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What does this dashboard symbol mean?

The seatbelt light is sometimes accompanied by a repetitive chime and reminds the driver and occupants to buckle up.

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What is the name of this symbol?

It aids stability and traction. When a loss of control is detected, steering and braking are taken over from the driver. If this feature is shown as off, it could be that the driver has pressed the button to deactivate the feature. If this is not the case, then there could be a problem with the function itself.

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Any idea what this symbol is trying to tell you?

This lesser -known symbol on the dashboard indicates that water or another contaminant may be in your fuel. Diesel engines are equipped with fuel filters which separate water from fuel. This light may signify a need to change this filter.

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What should you be aware of if this symbol appears?

This bright red light on your dashboard is definitely not one to be ignored. Seeing it can mean that key bearings and friction surfaces are not being properly lubricated. If it appears while you are driving, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and investigate the cause.

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Can you match this symbol to its meaning?

This feature tells drivers that the engine is not functioning properly. It should be checked immediately, as problems can arise. You can either take your car into your mechanic, or check the error yourself with an OBD2 code reader.

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Can you match this symbol to its meaning?

This is usually a sign that your radiator, for some reason, does not have enough coolant. You should immediately stop driving and refill the radiator (after a half hour or so, to allow for cooling off.)

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What is this dashboard icon telling you?

In addition to being able to respond to rain, some vehicles are also equipped with the ability to manipulate headlights and wipers in response to the sun and rain. If this light comes up on your dash, it indicates that there is a problem with the automated system, but changes can still be made manually.

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What is the name of this symbol?

These are wavy lines that intercept straight ones and face the right. They indicate light is passing through a fog, and only shows up when your front fog lights are on.

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What is this symbol warning you about?

Regardless of the cause, if this light comes on, then it means that your airbag won't deploy should it ever be needed.

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What does this symbol mean if it appears on your dashboard?

Do not be the person who fails to signal a turn! These germane little arrows show which direction you have opted to turn to. We have all signaled left when we meant right or vice versa, and these arrows help to swiftly correct that.

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Do you know the name of this symbol?

This red or orange light tells that the emergency brake is engaged. If this light appears with a wrench beneath it, then attention from an auto mechanic is necessary.

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Know what this symbol is trying to say?

Connected to the door switches, this light tells when a door is open, and in some vehicles, it even indicates which door.

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What should you be aware of if this symbol shows up?

Modern cars have even more illuminated areas than before, from the license plate to tail lights; this symbols showing up means that you need to begin a search for the bulb that isn't getting enough voltage.

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Do you know what this dash symbol stands for?

No one likes being dazzled by an oncoming vehicle; this safety feature helps to adjust the angle of headlights as one moves through various terrains and chambers.

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What does this symbol mean if it appears on your dashboard?

This feature helps motorists to be more alert to what or who is on the road with them when it is dark.

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Know what this symbol is saying?

This mode should not be confused with the frost warning indicator; it allows a safer ride in the winter. It works by skipping first gear automatically when moving off from a stop position. If the light is on, this mode is activated; if it is flashing then there is trouble with the mode.

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Can you guess the meaning of this dashboard symbol?

This usually is present in green on the dash to let you know that it is activated. Once in action, the system will assess the area around the vehicle to assist smoother and quicker parking. If the symbol is amber or flashing, then a fault with the system has been detected and will be deactivated until rectified.

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What should you know when this symbol appears?

This light's function serves to tell you that the fluid used to clean your windscreen is running low and needs to be refilled.

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Any idea what this symbol means?

This setting is like the autopilot of the vehicle. You choose a speed to drive at, and once cruise control is activated, that speed is maintained until you brake. The symbol simply means that it is activated.

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Any idea what this symbol means?

Just as the name suggests, this function tells when there is an obstruction and tells which side it is on. It is a huge addition to the "mirrors, signal, blind spot" mantra that we all learned as driving students.

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What is this dashboard icon telling you?

This button, which is identified as a rectangle with curved arrows running through it, activates a light on your dash to let you know when air from the vehicle's vent is being redirected to the back windows to remove the fog that has accumulated on them.

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What is the meaning of this symbol?

One of the best safety functions is this little monitor that lets the driver know when they are veering off of their lane. The system monitors the road markings and the vehicle's position in relation to them and alerts the driver once they are moving too far away from them.

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What message is this symbol trying to transmit?

You can't cruise if you don't have the juice! This reminder tells you the level of your fuel tank and may even have an alarm which tells you when you are running dangerously low.

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What message is this symbol trying to transmit?

This feature is the cure for tailgating, as it informs the driver when they are too close to the vehicle in front of them. It also gives notice of stationary objects within the automobile's path.

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What should you be aware of if this symbol shows up?

With the advent of the smart key, many drivers do not utilize the traditional key-in-ignition method to get moving. This function lets users know that their smart key is not present in the vehicle.

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What is this symbol telling you?

This is a safety feature that lets users know that the rear storage compartment of the vehicle is not properly closed.

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Any idea what this symbol is trying to tell you?

Driving a diesel vehicle means that there is a lot of soot and other waste matter being created, and these can cause respiratory illnesses. Should this warning light come on, it could mean that the filter is blocked. The good news is that this is fixed by simply driving consistently at over 40 mph for about 10 minutes.

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Can you figure out what this symbol means?

The future is here with wipers that know when to come on and just how fast to swish around. This light means that the setting is activated.

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Can you identify this symbol?

This light shows up as amber at a certain atmospheric temperature and then becomes red as it gets cooler. This warns the driver of the possibility of icy roads.

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Can you figure out what this symbol means?

Another aid to driving safety is the Anti-lock Brakes (ABS); it tells the driver to apply maximum brakes while also steering- for instance, when swerving to avoid a possible collision with a person. If the ABS warning shows up, this needs to be checked immediately.

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What does this dashboard symbol mean?

Also known as the Automatic Speed Limiter (ASL), this pops up as a green light and comes on when this setting is engaged. It utilizes the cruise control settings to maintain a particular speed limit which is usually also displayed.

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What is the meaning of this symbol?

Usually attached to the windscreen, these sensors are able to detect rain and sun as well as a decrease in visibility and make changes, such as turning the headlights on or off. Should there be an issue with this function, the symbol will be illuminated on the dashboard.

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What's the meaning behind this dashboard symbol?

This nifty little feature reminds modern car drivers to have their vehicles checked. With the age of increasing information to retain, one can easily miss the next scheduled vehicle servicing, fear not; technology always has the solution!

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What's the meaning behind this dashboard symbol?

As if driving a modern vehicle was not already fun; this little dashboard necessity lets us know that traffic is backed up and that it will serve as an assistant.

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What should you be aware of if this symbol appears?

This monitors the pressure of tires and informs the driver when one or all of them have fallen below par.

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What is this symbol telling you?

With motor vehicular theft becoming more common, manufacturers have drivers covered with this feature. It is activated whenever someone attempts to shift the wheel without the key in the ignition.

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What is this symbol warning you about?

If this is on then you know that your vehicle's ABS is monitoring the speed at which your vehicle goes downhill and automatically applying the brakes as needed.

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Know what this symbol stands for?

This light can either come in the form of a little thermometer image or words such as "temp" or "engine overheating." Whatever its form, it is one of the most significant lights. This is an indication that your coolant level is either inadequate or that the water/coolant ratio is off.

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Can you identify this symbol?

If this red light comes on and remains on, it means that there is an issue with the braking system. It most commonly means that brakes need to be changed soon or it can be a more urgent issue. If the light is flashing, it could mean that brake fluid levels are running low.

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What should you know when this symbol appears?

If one drives a hybrid vehicle, this is equivalent to the check engine light. It is more than likely a problem that involves any of the parts responsible for mobility.

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Know what this symbol stands for?

This tells drivers of automatic vehicles that there is some sort of issue with the transmission. This could mean issues with fluid temperatures, levels or even the pressure.

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Do you know what this dash symbol stands for?

Yet another awesome reminder for servicing; this feature lets you know when your brake pads and discs have done their time.

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