BMW automotive symbols
BMW: dashboard warning and indicator lights, vehicle controls and car-related marks.
BMW red warning lights14
Red usually means a serious fault or a safety warning. Stop when it is safe and check the light's meaning before driving on.
Airbag warning4 meaningsAirbag warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the airbags may not deploy properly in an accident. Have the system checked as soon as possible.Differs by brand.On BMW
Brake warning (BRAKE)5 meaningsBrake warning (BRAKE)Orange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the braking system needs to be inspected as soon as possible.Differs by brand.On BMW
Charging / battery warning21 meaningsCharging / battery warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the battery is not being charged properly. Have the charging system checked by a workshop soon.Differs by brand.On BMW
Coolant temperature warning (red)14 meaningsCoolant temperature warning (red)When the thermometer-in-water symbol turns orange or red, the engine is in danger of overheating, which can cause severe engine damage. Stop safely and have the cooling system checked before driving on.Differs by brand.On BMW
Drive power / powertrain warningDashboard lightsDrive power / powertrain warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; there is a problem with the powertrain that needs immediate attention. Stop safely and get help.On BMW
Engine oil level / oil pressure warning15 meaningsEngine oil level / oil pressure warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; an oil can symbol means the oil is low. Check the level and top up, or have the car checked.Differs by brand.On BMW
Engine oil sensor warning4 meaningsEngine oil sensor warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the oil sensor reports dangerously low engine oil pressure. Stop the engine as soon as it is safe and have the car checked before driving on.Differs by brand.On BMW
Intersection / collision warningDashboard lightsIntersection / collision warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; an accident is about to happen. React immediately.On BMW
Night Vision warningDashboard lightsNight Vision warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the night vision system has spotted a hazard that the headlights are not yet lighting up. Watch the road ahead and be ready to brake.On BMW
Parking brake warning18 meaningsParking brake warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the parking brake is not working properly. Have it repaired.Differs by brand.On BMW
Pedestrian warningDashboard lightsPedestrian warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; a pedestrian has stepped onto the road unexpectedly. Be ready to brake.On BMW
Seat belt reminder11 meaningsSeat belt reminderOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; fasten the seat belt; the light goes out once you have buckled up.Differs by brand.On BMW
Steering Assistant warning (red)Dashboard lightsSteering Assistant warning (red)A red steering wheel means the system is not keeping the car in its lane or at a proper distance from other vehicles. Take full control of steering and distance yourself.On BMW
Transmission fault warning2 meaningsTransmission fault warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the transmission has a problem. Have it checked by a workshop.Differs by brand.On BMW
BMW amber and yellow warning lights21
Amber or yellow usually means a fault or a reminder: the car can normally be driven, but have it checked soon.
Active Cruise Control warningDashboard lightsActive Cruise Control warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; pay closer attention to the road or put your hands back on the steering wheel.On BMW
Auto Start/Stop faultDashboard lightsAuto Start/Stop faultOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the engine Stop/Start system is malfunctioning and needs attention at a workshop.On BMW
Brake pad wear warning4 meaningsBrake pad wear warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the brake pads are probably worn and due for replacement. Book a brake service.Differs by brand.On BMW
Check owner's handbookDashboard lightsCheck owner's handbookOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; look up the accompanying message in the owner's handbook to find out how serious it is.On BMW
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) warning3 meaningsDiesel particulate filter (DPF) warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the diesel particulate filter (DPF) needs attention. Have it serviced.Differs by brand.On BMW
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)3 meaningsDynamic Stability Control (DSC)Orange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the car-on-a-swerving-road symbol means Dynamic Stability Control is working hard to keep traction. Drive carefully.Differs by brand.On BMW
Emissions warning4 meaningsEmissions warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the outlined engine (not filled in, unlike the engine management light) points to an emissions problem. Have the car checked.Differs by brand.On BMW
Engine management warning2 meaningsEngine management warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; a solid engine symbol can mean anything from a loose fuel cap to a severe engine problem. Check the fuel cap and have the engine diagnosed.Differs by brand.On BMW
Glow plug warning9 meaningsGlow plug warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; have the glow plugs checked.Differs by brand.On BMW
Headlamp fault warning6 meaningsHeadlamp fault warningGlows orange or red when the headlights are not working. Have the lights checked and repaired.Differs by brand.On BMW
Information lightDashboard lightsInformation lightOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; bring the vehicle in for a check-up.On BMW
Inspection neededDashboard lightsInspection neededOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; this light is typically about leaks or problems with belts or hoses. Have the car inspected.On BMW
Lane departure warning2 meaningsLane departure warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the car is drifting out of its lane or off the road. Steer back into the lane.Differs by brand.On BMW
Low coolant warning2 meaningsLow coolant warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; top up the coolant before the engine overheats.Differs by brand.On BMW
Low fuel warning6 meaningsLow fuel warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the tank is running low. Refuel at the next opportunity.Differs by brand.On BMW
Low tyre pressure (TPMS)18 meaningsLow tyre pressure (TPMS)Orange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; one or more tyres are low on pressure. Check and inflate the tyres.Differs by brand.On BMW
Low washer fluid warning5 meaningsLow washer fluid warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; refill the windscreen washer fluid. It is one of the less serious warnings but still matters for safe visibility.Differs by brand.On BMW
Outside temperature (ice) warningDashboard lightsOutside temperature (ice) warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the outside temperature is low and the road may be icy and slippery. Drive with extra care.On BMW
Service needed (SERVICE)Dashboard lightsService needed (SERVICE)Lit orange: the car needs its routine maintenance. Book a service.On BMW
Steering lock / steering fault warning3 meaningsSteering lock / steering fault warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the steering column needs servicing; this can indicate serious mechanical trouble. Have it checked promptly.Differs by brand.On BMW
Traction control warningDashboard lightsTraction control warningOrange or red: a fault or hazard warning that should be taken seriously; the vehicle has lost traction. Slow down and drive carefully.On BMW
BMW green indicator lights15
Green usually shows that a system is switched on and working, such as lights, cruise control or a driving mode.
Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go indicatorDashboard lightsActive Cruise Control with Stop&Go indicatorGreen or blue: shows a system that is switched on and working normally. The adaptive cruise control is switched on.On BMW
Automatic Hold (AUTO H)Dashboard lightsAutomatic Hold (AUTO H)Green or blue: shows a system that is switched on and working normally. In stop-and-go traffic the car applies the brake for you when it stops and releases it when you pull away.On BMW
Automatic headlamp dimmer indicatorDashboard lightsAutomatic headlamp dimmer indicatorGreen or blue: shows a system that is switched on and working normally. This version of the High Beam Assist light shows that the headlights are being dimmed and raised automatically.On BMW
Cruise control indicator2 meaningsCruise control indicatorGreen or blue: shows a system that is switched on and working normally. Cruise control is set and holding the speed you chose.Differs by brand.On BMW
Daytime running lights indicatorDashboard lightsDaytime running lights indicatorGreen or blue: shows a system that is switched on and working normally. This one confirms that the daytime running lights are working.On BMW
Extended Traffic Jam Assistant (ASSIST PLUS)Dashboard lightsExtended Traffic Jam Assistant (ASSIST PLUS)Green or blue: shows a system that is switched on and working normally. The semi-autonomous assistant is helping you drive in stop-and-go traffic.On BMW
Fog light indicator5 meaningsFog light indicatorGreen or blue: shows a system that is switched on and working normally. This one confirms that the fog lights are switched on.Differs by brand.On BMW
Headlamp indicatorDashboard lightsHeadlamp indicatorGreen or blue: shows a system that is switched on and working normally. This one confirms that the headlights are switched on.On BMW
High Beam Assist indicatorDashboard lightsHigh Beam Assist indicatorGreen or blue: shows a system that is switched on and working normally. With High Beam Assist on, the car switches the high beams on and off automatically.On BMW
Lane Change Assist indicatorDashboard lightsLane Change Assist indicatorGreen or blue: shows a system that is switched on and working normally. The system is helping you change lanes safely and smoothly.On BMW
Manual speed limiter (LIM)2 meaningsManual speed limiter (LIM)Green or blue: shows a system that is switched on and working normally. The speed limit you have set is active; the car will not go faster than it.Differs by brand.On BMW
Speed Limit Assist (ASSIST)Dashboard lightsSpeed Limit Assist (ASSIST)Green or blue: shows a system that is switched on and working normally. The system is helping keep the car at the legal speed limit.On BMW
Steering Assist indicator (green)Dashboard lightsSteering Assist indicator (green)A green steering wheel means the Steering Assist is working: it helps keep the car in its lane and at a safe distance from other vehicles.On BMW
Tail lights / parking lights indicator11 meaningsTail lights / parking lights indicatorGreen or blue: shows a system that is switched on and working normally. This one shows that the tail lights are on; it often appears when the parking lights are used.Differs by brand.On BMW
Turn signal indicator9 meaningsTurn signal indicatorLights up green while a turn signal is switched on. It is for information only; no action is needed.Differs by brand.On BMW
BMW blue indicator lights2
Blue is used for a few indicators, most often the high beam (main beam) headlights.
Coolant temperature (blue)2 meaningsCoolant temperature (blue)When the thermometer-in-water symbol is lit blue or green, the coolant temperature is in order. No action is needed.Differs by brand.On BMW
High beam indicator6 meaningsHigh beam indicatorLights up blue while the high beams are in use. It is for information only.Differs by brand.On BMW