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Volvo
Hybrid Ready Indicator
A green box with the word "READY" inside of it on a Volvo dashboard most probably means that the hybrid system is ready to be used. The batteries will have sufficient charge to run the motors and allow the car to run in electric mode.
Fog Lamp Indicator
If you see a semi-circle next to a bunch of wavy lines then it would suggest that your fog lamps are turned on. When you activate your main lights these additional lights will be visible too in an attempt to help you see in foggy conditions
Stability Control Warning
If the stability control has to kick in then you will most probably see an orange/yellow warning light showing a car with swirls below. Most of the time when this kicks in you will also hear an audio alarm to let you know that the car has intervened to restore traction.
Forward Collision Detection Warning
If warning showing 2 cars following each other with an exclamation point and arrow beneath one of them could be for the forward collision detection system. The system is trying to tell you that it has detected a situation where a potential collision may occur and is responding to it by adjusting the brakes, suspension and seatbelts
Engine Air Filter Warning
If your air filter is blocked then you need to get it changed for a new one - an easy and fairly low-cost procedure. Some modern Volvo models can be fitted with a sensor that will warn you that it is getting blocked before it poses a problem. This warning light appears on your dashboard as a string of balls with what looks like a gust of wind blowing through it.
Automatic Transmission Warning
An automatic transmission can make driving a car so much easier but is also a complex component. When it goes wrong it tends to go very wrong with expensive results. If you see what looks like a cog with an exclamation mark then your car may be telling you that it is detecting a fault in the gearbox
Air Suspension Warning
Some models of cars (typically offroad-capable ones) are fitted with an air suspension system that allows it to be lowered or raised. Unfortunately, these systems have a lot of moving parts and rely on piping that is prone to get damaged. If you see a warning light that looks like the outline of a car with arrows pointing up and down then it may be related to the air suspension.
Brake Pad Warning Light
A yellow brake disc with an exclamation mark illuminated in yellow could be a sign that your brake pads are getting low. This is becoming more common in modern models and it should give you enough time to sort the problem out before the pads get dangerously thin
Brake Override Warning
Pushing both the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal at the same time not only causes damage to the vehicle but can also cause an accident. In some cars, you can find a warning in the dashboard that tells you that you are pressing both pedals in order for you to understand and stop doing it.
Adaptive Cruise Control Warning
A speedometer and car with an exclamation mark warning could be for the adaptive cruise control system reporting a fault. It may also be displayed using the letters "ACC" displayed in either a yellow or red illumination. This system uses radars and/or cameras to monitor the traffic in front of the car and adapt the speed to follow it.
Hybrid Power Limitation Warning
f you see a yellow/orange turtle in a circle on your dashboard then your Volvo is trying to tell you that the hybrid system is low on power. This could be caused by the batteries being depleted due to heavy use but a more sinister reason could be battery damage
Key Fob Indicator Warning
A symbol of a key surrounded by waves on your dashboard could be to let you know that the car's key-fob has been detected. If the car has a keyless system fitted then this indicator will let you know that you are now able to start your car.
Forward Collision Detection Off
A warning light on the dashboard showing 2 cars with a star symbolizing a crash with the word "OFF" underneath would suggest that the forward collision detection system is turned off. If you have not turned off the system yourself then it is advised you visit a trained mechanic or Volvo dealership to fix this safety feature.
Headlight Out Warning
Some modern models are fitted with a warning system that displays if a headlight or taillight is out. This can be super useful as a light being out may not be easy to notice but can lead to safety issues quickly. The warning looks like a light bulb trapped inside a circle with two smaller semi-circles around it.
ABS Warning
This warning light is very obvious and will feature the letters "ABS" surrounded by a circle and some crudely drawn brake pads. The warning is to let you know that the ABS braking-assist system has malfunctioned yet the brakes could very well still work normally without the assistance. It's recommended that you seek the help of a trained mechanic or Volvo dealership as soon as possible
Low Fuel Warning
If you have what looks like an old-fashioned fuel pump at a gas station symbol light up orange/yellow then you are most likely low on fuel. If this warning light appears even after you have filled up with fuel then seek help from your dealership or trained mechanic.
Tire Pressure Warning
Most Volvo cars sold today have a tire pressure warning light fitted in the instrument cluster on the dashboard. As soon as the tire pressure drops this light will illuminate orange to indicate that you need to fix the problem. If the indicator is flashing it may mean that a rapid drop in pressure is detected and it is recommended that you pull over straight away
Check Engine Light Warning
If you see this warning light come up then pull over and try to restart the engine, sometimes a wild fluctuation can set it off when there is no real problem. If the light is flashing instead of being a solid light then the problem is most likely fatal for the engine and requires you to switch it off as soon as possible.
Glow Plug Warning
A warning light that is illuminated yellow that looks like a coil of wire or string represents the glow plug warming up. This is part of a diesel engine and helps it start from cold. It should only show briefly as it starts up once you turn on your ignition and should disappear quickly to suggest it has finished warming up
Immobiliser Warning
The immobiliser is a security component in your car that prevent thieves from hotwiring it. It disables the fuel pump power supply and it works by detecting your key inside of the car to enable it to start. If there is an issue with the unit then your car will most likely not start and display an icon that looks like a car with a large key inside of it.
Ad Blue Warning
Adblue is an additive used in some modern diesel engines to reduce the amount of pollution that it puts out. When it gets low you need to replenish it otherwise the engine may not start at all if it empties completely
Boot Open Warning
An outline of a car with the visual of a flap extending out from the right-hand side would suggest that your trunk is still open. Be sure to close the trunk on the car before driving as the warning get more severe and included Volvo alerts too. If your trunk is not open than you may have a problem with the sensor.
Master Warning Light
A triangle warning symbol with an exclamation mark in the center is typically used to indicate that the car has detected a serious fault. If the warning comes on only for a few seconds then it could be your car telling you that you momentarily lost traction and the car was acting to fix this. If you find the warning light stays on even after restarting your car seek help from a Volvo dealership or trained mechanic.
Traction Control Off
Much like the stability control (also known as traction control) warning symbol, this one features the word "OFF" underneath it to let you know that the system is turned off
Lane Sense Warning
If you are seeing a warning light that looks like a car straying over broken or solid lines then your car may be reporting that you are switching lanes. An audio alert may accompany the visual one and this system can only work if it can detect the lanes using a camera or other technology
Powertrain/Drivetrain Warning
The drivetrain/powertrain of your Volvo refers to mechanical parts that carry the power from the engine of your car to the wheels. This can include the transmission/gearbox, clutch, differentials, off-road equipment and axles (as well as many other parts and driving aids). A warning light showing here that won't disappear when you turn your car off and then on again is probably severe and may be dangerous to drive while illuminated.
Blind Spot Warning Off
A warning light consisting of 2 cars side by side with a radar effect between and the word "OFF" above is telling you that the blind-spot-detection system is switched off. The blind spot is commonly known as the area of vision that is missing from most drivers' fields of view.
Loose Gas Cap Warning
If a strange symbol appears on your dashboard that appears to show a car with a chunk taken out of it with a screw hovering next to it then your gas cap may be loose. If you have checked your gas cap and it is correctly fastened then you may need to seek help from a trained mechanic who can check for other problems
Oil Service Warning
A yellow oil symbol (rather than the more severe red) can mean that you need to get the oil serviced (changed basically) and/or that the oil level has dropped. Some makes of modern cars display this as an actual message such as "oil service required" or "oil change required" on the dashboard
Low Washer Fluid Warning
A symbol showing a windscreen (or an open book) with a water fountain in the middle is trying to tell you that the washer fluid is low in your car. Topping up should be easy and under your bonnet is a cap that will have the same symbol to show where to put your washing fluid
Brake Warning
This warning light may appear different depending upon the region that you have bought your Volvo. In most territories, the brake warning light will appear simply as the text BRAKE, though in Canada it will appear as an exclamation point with brake pads surrounding a circle.
Airbag Warning
A passenger with a large circle in front of them and illuminated red displayed on the dashboard is your Volvo trying to tell you that there is an issue with one or all of the airbags. As soon as this comes on it is advised that you take the car to a trained mechanic or a Volvo dealership.
Battery Warning
An outline of a car with the visual of a flap extending out from the right-hand side would suggest that your trunk is still open. Be sure to close the trunk on the car before driving as the warning get more severe and included audio alerts too
Anti-Theft Warning
A simple red dot on the dashboard instrument cluster could represent the security/anti-theft system experiencing an error. This could be in any of the security systems such as the immobiliser or alarm (if fitted). If the light persists while driving then it definitely indicates a problem and requires being looked at by a trained mechanic
Seat Belt Reminder
A picture of a passenger with a band across them displayed in front of a red light indicates that a passenger has not correctly attached their seatbelt. This system works by detecting a passenger based on the weight on a seat so if you have any shopping or luggage on a seat then that may be what's setting it off.
Electronic Brake Warning
The electronic parking brake replaces the handbrake in modern Volvo models and is usually operated with a button rather than a stick near the gear shifter. It can also display as a yellow warning light with a "P" letter enclosed inside of it too. If a fault is detected with the system a warning that looks like brake pads around a circle featuring a lightning symbol inside will appear in red
Hybrid Service Warning
A spanner with a lightning bolt (or zig-zag) through it would suggest to you that your Volvo hybrid system needs servicing. This can be due to several factors such as mileage, age or that the system has detected a fault. Ideally, you will take the vehicle to a Volvo mechanic as the hybrid systems are very specialised.
Hood Ajar Warning
More severe than the trunk ajar warning, the hood ajar warning is extremely important not to ignore. Check the bonnet/hood on your Volvo is not open still by opening it fully and closing it again with some force to ensure the mechanism locks. Driving with a loose bonnet/hood can be very dangerous as it could fly open at speed and take out your windscreen.
Oil Pressure Warning
A lamp style icon in red with nothing around it on its own represents that the oil pressure in the engine is low. This can be caused by a leak leading to a rapid loss in oil from underneath your engine or the oil being burnt within your engine and pushed out of the exhaust. As this is a red warning light it is not advised that you continue to drive the vehicle until it goes out.
Power Steering Warning
If you see a red steering wheel with an exclamation point next to it appear then it is most likely an electric power-assisted steering issue. Try pulling over and resetting the car by switching it off completely and then starting it again. If the light continues after you restart the car then seek help from a trained mechanic or Volvo dealership
Engine Temperature Warning
If you see an oil can with a thermometer floating above it then it is most likely your car telling you the oil in the engine is too hot. This indicator is typically only used for performance Volvo models that expect the driver to push them hard. The cause behind this could be heavy acceleration or in worst cases a loss of oil. As it is a red light you must pull over and allow the engine to cool down.
High Beam Indicator
A blue (or sometimes yellow) semi-circle with straight lines coming out of the side indicates that the vehicle's full-beam lights are switched on. When you activate the main lights the full beam will also activate and produce a much stronger beam of light pointing forward. It is common (and law in some places) not to drive with these on when facing another road user
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