Volkswagen automotive symbols
Volkswagen: dashboard warning and indicator lights, vehicle controls and car-related marks.
Volkswagen red warning lights16
Red usually means a serious fault or a safety warning. Stop when it is safe and check the light's meaning before driving on.
AdBlue level low, bottle (red)3 meaningsAdBlue level low, bottle (red)Red: the AdBlue level is too low and the yellow warning was ignored. A message asks you to refill AdBlue; the engine cannot be restarted. Park and add at least the minimum quantity of AdBlue.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Central warning (red triangle)9 meaningsCentral warning (red triangle)The red triangle is a priority 1 warning. It lights or flashes, sometimes with a chime, other symbols and a text message. Do not drive on: stop when safe, check the fault shown and get expert help as soon as possible. While such a warning is active the cluster menus cannot be opened.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Charging / battery warning21 meaningsCharging / battery warningLit red with a message: the 12-volt electrical system may fail. Do not drive on: stop safely, switch off unnecessary consumers and the ignition, and get expert help. The start/stop system does not work while it is lit.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Coolant temperature warning (red)14 meaningsCoolant temperature warning (red)Lit with the red central warning and a message, or flashing red: the coolant level is wrong or the coolant system has a fault. Do not drive on: stop, switch off the engine, let it cool and check the coolant level. Get expert help if the level is correct but the light stays on.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Engine oil level / oil pressure warning15 meaningsEngine oil level / oil pressure warningFlashing red: engine oil pressure is too low. Do not drive on and do not leave the engine running. If it keeps flashing although the oil level is correct, get expert help.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Engine oil sensor warning4 meaningsEngine oil sensor warningFlashing red: the engine oil level is too low. Do not drive on: switch off the engine and check the oil level. If it stays on although the level is correct, do not drive or run the engine and get expert help.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Front Assist collision warning, car between lanes (red)Dashboard lightsFront Assist collision warning, car between lanes (red)Front Assist warns of an acute risk of collision with a red light and a chime. Brake or steer round the obstacle at once. Depending on speed, the car may also brake automatically without an earlier warning stage.On Volkswagen
Parking brake applied (P)11 meaningsParking brake applied (P)Lit red while the electronic parking brake is applied. Before leaving the car, check that it is lit with the ignition off. Flashing red means the holding force is not sufficient for the situation, for example on a steep slope.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Parking brake warning18 meaningsParking brake warningLit red when there is a brake system fault or the brake fluid level is too low. Do not drive on: check the brake fluid and get expert help. If it lights together with the ABS light, ABS control may have failed as well.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Rear Traffic Alert obstacle (red)Dashboard lightsRear Traffic Alert obstacle (red)Rear Traffic Alert has detected crossing traffic behind the car while you reverse out of a space or manoeuvre, and it may brake. Keep watching the surroundings; the system only works within its limits.On Volkswagen
SCR system fault (red AdBlue bottle and spanner)Dashboard lightsSCR system fault (red AdBlue bottle and spanner)The red stage of an exhaust aftertreatment (SCR) fault or non-standard AdBlue, shown when the yellow warning was ignored. A message says the engine start is disabled: once switched off, the engine cannot be restarted. Drive straight to a workshop without switching the engine off and have the system checked.On Volkswagen
Seat belt reminder11 meaningsSeat belt reminderLights red, and flashes on the display, when the driver or front passenger has not fastened the belt with the ignition on; at higher speed a chime sounds as well. It goes out only when all occupants are belted. On some instrument clusters, an unfastened rear belt makes the seat symbols flash while driving.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Speed limit unit km/h (red ring)Dashboard lightsSpeed limit unit km/h (red ring)Predictive cruise control is adjusting the speed to a detected speed limit. It is set up in the Assist systems menu and works when adaptive cruise control is on.On Volkswagen
Steering fault (red)4 meaningsSteering fault (red)Red, lit or flashing; do not drive on. Lit: the electromechanical steering has failed and steering may feel heavy. Flashing: the steering column cannot be unlocked. Get expert help.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Take over and brake (red foot on pedal)Dashboard lightsTake over and brake (red foot on pedal)Shown red with a chime when adaptive cruise control cannot slow the car down enough. Take over control at once and be ready to brake.On Volkswagen
Take over steering now (red hands on wheel)2 meaningsTake over steering now (red hands on wheel)Travel Assist or Emergency Assist: lit red with a message when you must take hold of the steering wheel and steer immediately. It follows the white request to take over steering if that was ignored.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Volkswagen amber and yellow warning lights43
Amber or yellow usually means a fault or a reminder: the car can normally be driven, but have it checked soon.
ABS warning18 meaningsABS warningLit yellow: ABS has failed or has a fault. The brakes still work, but without ABS. Drive carefully and have it checked. If the brake warning light is also on, ABS control may have failed completely.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
ACC not available (amber, car and gauge)2 meaningsACC not available (amber, car and gauge)Lights yellow when adaptive cruise control (ACC) is not available.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
AdBlue level low, bottle (amber)3 meaningsAdBlue level low, bottle (amber)Lights yellow when the AdBlue level is low, with a message that the engine will not start after a given distance (about 1,000 km). Refill AdBlue within that distance.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Adaptive chassis control fault (amber shock absorber)Dashboard lightsAdaptive chassis control fault (amber shock absorber)Lights yellow when the adaptive chassis control (DCC) has a fault. Have it checked.On Volkswagen
Airbag / belt tensioner fault (amber seated occupant)2 meaningsAirbag / belt tensioner fault (amber seated occupant)Lit continuously yellow: there is a fault in the airbag or belt tensioner system; have it checked straight away. If it lights for about 4 seconds after ignition on and then flashes for about 12 seconds, the system has been switched off with a diagnostic tool. It also lights briefly at ignition on as a function check.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
All-wheel drive fault2 meaningsAll-wheel drive faultLights yellow when the all-wheel drive system has a fault. Have it checked.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Battery / charging warning (amber)4 meaningsBattery / charging warning (amber)Yellow, with a message: the 12-volt battery charge is low. The start/stop system cannot restart the engine until it goes out.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Brake pad wear warning4 meaningsBrake pad wear warningLights yellow when the brake pads are worn. Go to a workshop straight away and have all brake pads checked and replaced if necessary.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Central warning (amber triangle)7 meaningsCentral warning (amber triangle)The yellow triangle is a priority 2 warning. It lights or flashes, sometimes with a chime or other symbols. Check the fault soon and have it checked by a workshop; low fluid levels or faults can damage the car.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Cruise control fault (amber)Dashboard lightsCruise control fault (amber)Cruise control has a fault. The light comes on yellow together with the yellow central warning light. Have it checked by a workshop.On Volkswagen
EPC warning2 meaningsEPC warningLit yellow: fault in the engine management system. Read any message in the instrument cluster and have the engine checked by a workshop as soon as possible. The light (lit on the digital cluster, flashing on the analogue cluster) can also mean engine power has been limited to protect engine management components from overheating; you can continue with reduced power, and the limit is lifted once they are back in a safe temperature range.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
ESC / TCS (amber solid car with skid marks)6 meaningsESC / TCS (amber solid car with skid marks)Flashing yellow: the stability control (ESC) or traction control (TCS) is intervening. Lit continuously: ESC fault; if it stays on, go to a workshop. If it lights together with the brake warning light, ABS control may have failed too.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
ESC / TCS off (amber solid car, OFF)5 meaningsESC / TCS off (amber solid car, OFF)Lit yellow when traction control is switched off, ESC Sport is on, or ESC has been switched off for system reasons. With ESC off or in ESC Sport the car can break away more easily; these modes are meant only for closed roads and experienced drivers.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Electronic parking brake fault (amber)2 meaningsElectronic parking brake fault (amber)A fault in the electronic parking brake. The yellow central warning light comes on and the button indicator lights yellow. Have it checked by a workshop.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Emergency call fault (SOS)3 meaningsEmergency call fault (SOS)Lights when the Emergency Call Service is restricted or has a fault, so an emergency call may not be possible. Have the system checked.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Engine oil level sensor / oil too high (amber)3 meaningsEngine oil level sensor / oil too high (amber)Yellow. Lit: the oil level is too low (top up) or too high. Flashing: fault in the engine oil system. If it stays lit although the oil level is correct, do not drive on or run the engine.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Engine oil system (amber oil can)Dashboard lightsEngine oil system (amber oil can)Flashing yellow: there is a fault in the engine oil system, such as the oil sensor. Have it checked by a workshop.On Volkswagen
Engine speed limited (amber)Dashboard lightsEngine speed limited (amber)Lit yellow: engine speed has been limited to stop the engine overheating. The limitation is lifted once the engine is no longer in a critical temperature range.On Volkswagen
Exhaust / emissions fault (amber solid engine)Dashboard lightsExhaust / emissions fault (amber solid engine)Lit yellow: an emissions-related fault. Flashing yellow: the engine is misfiring; reduce the load and drive to a workshop.On Volkswagen
Front Assist off (amber, OFF)Dashboard lightsFront Assist off (amber, OFF)Front Assist has been switched off, so its collision warnings and automatic emergency braking are not available.On Volkswagen
Front Assist starting up (amber)Dashboard lightsFront Assist starting up (amber)Front Assist is starting up and is not, or only partly, available while this is shown. It goes out after a short drive straight ahead and stays on while the car is stationary. Depending on the country it is shown yellow or white.On Volkswagen
Fuel reserve (amber outline pump)Dashboard lightsFuel reserve (amber outline pump)Lights yellow when the fuel reserve is being used. Refuel soon.On Volkswagen
Gearbox fault (amber solid gear with !)Dashboard lightsGearbox fault (amber solid gear with !)Lit yellow: the clutch is slipping (take your foot off the clutch pedal), overheated (you may continue) or defective (drive carefully to a workshop). If the DSG gearbox has overheated, do not drive on: select P and let it cool. Do not continue if the light stays on.On Volkswagen
Glow plug warning9 meaningsGlow plug warningDiesel engines: lights for a few seconds while the engine is pre-heated; start the engine once it goes out. Flashing yellow, or lit while driving: fault in the glow plug system or engine management; have it checked.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Headlamp fault warning6 meaningsHeadlamp fault warningLights yellow when exterior vehicle lighting has failed fully or partly. Check the bulbs and lights.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Lane Assist intervening (amber lane lines)2 meaningsLane Assist intervening (amber lane lines)Shown on some instrument clusters instead of the car-between-lanes symbol: Lane Assist is steering, or Emergency Assist is intervening because the driver may not be responding. Take over the steering.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Lane Assist intervening (amber solid car)2 meaningsLane Assist intervening (amber solid car)Lane Assist is steering to keep the car in lane, or Emergency Assist is intervening because the driver may not be responding. Take over the steering.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Light / rain sensor fault3 meaningsLight / rain sensor faultLights yellow when the rain and light sensor has a fault, so automatic lights and wipers may not work. Have it checked.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Low tyre pressure (TPMS)18 meaningsLow tyre pressure (TPMS)Lit yellow: pressure is much too low in one or more tyres. Do not drive on: stop, check and correct the pressures, then reset the system. Flashing for about a minute and then staying lit: tyre monitoring fault. Drive for a few minutes; if it does not go out, see a workshop.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Particulate filter (amber filter box)2 meaningsParticulate filter (amber filter box)Lit yellow: the particulate filter is full of soot and needs a regeneration drive with the engine warm. Petrol engines: drive at 80 km/h or more and repeatedly take your foot fully off the accelerator for a few seconds in gear, until the light goes out; if it stays on, go to a workshop. Diesel engines: drive at 60 km/h or more with at least 2,000 rpm until the light goes out; if it is still lit after about 40 minutes, go to a workshop.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Passenger airbag off3 meaningsPassenger airbag offLit yellow while the front passenger front airbag is switched off with the key switch. If it does not light while the airbag is off, or it lights together with the airbag warning light, there may be a fault in the airbag system.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Passenger airbag on3 meaningsPassenger airbag onLights yellow for about 60 seconds after the ignition is switched on, or after the front passenger front airbag is switched back on with the key switch, and then goes out.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Rear Traffic Alert braking (amber)Dashboard lightsRear Traffic Alert braking (amber)Rear Traffic Alert has braked the car automatically because of crossing traffic while reversing.On Volkswagen
Rear fog light indicator10 meaningsRear fog light indicatorLights when the rear fog light is switched on.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
SCR system fault (amber AdBlue bottle and spanner)Dashboard lightsSCR system fault (amber AdBlue bottle and spanner)Yellow stage of an exhaust aftertreatment (SCR) fault, or non-standard AdBlue. A message says the engine will not start after a given distance (about 1,000 km). Go to a workshop immediately. In long periods below -11°C the AdBlue may be frozen; move the car somewhere warmer.On Volkswagen
Side Assist fault (amber)Dashboard lightsSide Assist fault (amber)Lights yellow together with the yellow central warning light when the lane change system (Side Assist) has a fault. Have it checked.On Volkswagen
Speed warning (amber)3 meaningsSpeed warning (amber)Lights when you exceed the speed warning threshold you have set in the instrument cluster menu; a chime may also sound.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Steering fault (amber heavy wheel with !)2 meaningsSteering fault (amber heavy wheel with !)Yellow. Lit continuously: steering fault; have it checked by a workshop if it stays on. Flashing: problem with the steering lock; do not continue your journey if it still flashes after switching the ignition on again.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Tow bar not secured2 meaningsTow bar not securedLights yellow when the ball coupling of the towing bracket is not locked. Do not tow until it is locked properly.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Travel Assist unavailable (amber)Dashboard lightsTravel Assist unavailable (amber)Lights yellow when Travel Assist is not available or is not working as expected.On Volkswagen
Washer fluid low (amber, with fluid waves)Dashboard lightsWasher fluid low (amber, with fluid waves)Lights yellow when the windscreen washer fluid level is too low. Top up the washer fluid.On Volkswagen
Water in fuel filter warning2 meaningsWater in fuel filter warningLit yellow: slow down at once and drive to a workshop. If it lights straight after refuelling, do not drive on: switch off the engine and get expert help immediately.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Wiper fault (amber)2 meaningsWiper fault (amber)Lights yellow when there is a fault in the windscreen wipers. Have it checked.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Volkswagen green indicator lights14
Green usually shows that a system is switched on and working, such as lights, cruise control or a driving mode.
ACC regulating, no vehicle ahead (green outline car)Dashboard lightsACC regulating, no vehicle ahead (green outline car)Adaptive cruise control is regulating and no vehicle is detected ahead, so it holds the set speed. Not shown, or grey, when ACC is not active.On Volkswagen
ACC regulating, vehicle ahead (green solid car)Dashboard lightsACC regulating, vehicle ahead (green solid car)Adaptive cruise control is regulating and a vehicle ahead has been detected; it keeps the set distance.On Volkswagen
Cruise control active (green dial, hollow arrow)Dashboard lightsCruise control active (green dial, hollow arrow)Cruise control is switched on and is controlling the speed. It is shown small or grey when it is not regulating.On Volkswagen
Hill Descent Control active (green)Dashboard lightsHill Descent Control active (green)Lit green while Hill Descent Control is active.On Volkswagen
Lane Assist active (green lane lines)Dashboard lightsLane Assist active (green lane lines)Lane Assist is active and ready to steer, with both lane markings detected.On Volkswagen
Lane Assist active (green solid car)Dashboard lightsLane Assist active (green solid car)Lane Assist is switched on and ready to intervene (symbol used on some instrument clusters).On Volkswagen
Manual speed limiter (LIM)2 meaningsManual speed limiter (LIM)The speed limiter is on and regulating. It flashes green, possibly with a chime, if the stored speed is exceeded, for example downhill.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Press the brake pedal (green)2 meaningsPress the brake pedal (green)Lit green: press the brake pedal, for example to start the engine. Flashing green: the selector lever lock is preventing you from driving off; press the brake pedal.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Speed stored / limiter on (green speedometer)Dashboard lightsSpeed stored / limiter on (green speedometer)Cruise control has a stored speed and is regulating, or the speed limiter is on. It is shown small or grey while not active. If the limiter speed is exceeded, it flashes green and a chime may sound.On Volkswagen
Trailer turn signal indicator2 meaningsTrailer turn signal indicatorFlashes green when a trailer is connected and its turn signals work. It goes out if a trailer turn signal or all trailer lights fail.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Travel Assist active (green, lanes and gauge)Dashboard lightsTravel Assist active (green, lanes and gauge)Lit green when Travel Assist is active, with adaptive cruise control and adaptive lane guidance both working.On Volkswagen
Travel Assist, lane guidance passive (green and white)Dashboard lightsTravel Assist, lane guidance passive (green and white)Travel Assist is active and adaptive cruise control is regulating, but adaptive lane guidance is passive and is not steering.On Volkswagen
Turn signal indicator9 meaningsTurn signal indicatorFlashes green with the turn signals or hazard warning lights. Flashing twice as fast means a turn signal bulb on the car has failed.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Vehicle secured, P (green)2 meaningsVehicle secured, P (green)Lit green when Auto Hold is active and is holding the car stationary. To be sure the car is held, check that this light or the parking brake light is on.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Volkswagen blue indicator lights1
Blue is used for a few indicators, most often the high beam (main beam) headlights.
Volkswagen white indicator lights30
White usually shows a system's status: ready, on standby or temporarily unavailable.
ACC regulating, no vehicle ahead (white outline car)Dashboard lightsACC regulating, no vehicle ahead (white outline car)White version: adaptive cruise control is regulating and no vehicle is detected ahead, so it holds the set speed.On Volkswagen
ACC regulating, vehicle ahead (white solid car)Dashboard lightsACC regulating, vehicle ahead (white solid car)White version: adaptive cruise control is regulating and has detected a vehicle ahead; it keeps the set distance.On Volkswagen
AdBlue level low (white bottle)Dashboard lightsAdBlue level low (white bottle)Lights white when the AdBlue level is low; refill when convenient. If you do not refill, yellow and then red warnings follow.On Volkswagen
Auto start/stop off (white)3 meaningsAuto start/stop off (white)The start/stop system is not available, or it has restarted the engine automatically.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Bluetooth phone connected (white)Dashboard lightsBluetooth phone connected (white)Shown in the instrument cluster when a mobile phone is connected to the car via Bluetooth.On Volkswagen
Comfort driving profile (white curved road)Dashboard lightsComfort driving profile (white curved road)Shown when the Comfort driving profile has been selected with the driving profile selector.On Volkswagen
Cruise control fault2 meaningsCruise control faultWhite version of the cruise control fault light, shown together with the yellow central warning light. Have the system checked.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Cruise control on (white dial, hollow arrow)Dashboard lightsCruise control on (white dial, hollow arrow)Cruise control is switched on but is not currently controlling the speed.On Volkswagen
Eco driving profile (white road and trees)Dashboard lightsEco driving profile (white road and trees)Shown when the Eco driving profile has been selected with the driving profile selector.On Volkswagen
Economical mode (white eco)Dashboard lightsEconomical mode (white eco)Shown while driving when the car is running in an economical mode, such as with Active Cylinder Management switching cylinders off.On Volkswagen
Front Assist starting up (white)Dashboard lightsFront Assist starting up (white)Front Assist is starting up and is not, or only partly, available while this is shown. It goes out after a short drive straight ahead. Depending on the country it is shown white or yellow.On Volkswagen
Hill descent assist3 meaningsHill descent assistShown grey when Hill Descent Control is switched on but not currently active.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Individual driving profile (white road and star)Dashboard lightsIndividual driving profile (white road and star)Shown when the Individual driving profile, with your own settings, has been selected.On Volkswagen
Light Assist ready2 meaningsLight Assist readyLights when main-beam control (automatic main beam) is switched on and active.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Normal driving profile (white lane lines)2 meaningsNormal driving profile (white lane lines)Shown when the Normal driving profile has been selected with the driving profile selector.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Offroad Individual profile (white mountain and star)Dashboard lightsOffroad Individual profile (white mountain and star)Shown when the Offroad Individual driving profile has been selected with the driving profile selector.On Volkswagen
Offroad driving profile (white mountain)Dashboard lightsOffroad driving profile (white mountain)Shown when the Offroad driving profile has been selected with the driving profile selector.On Volkswagen
Owner's manual reference (white)Dashboard lightsOwner's manual reference (white)Shown with a warning or message to point out that more information about it is given in the owner's manual.On Volkswagen
Phone battery level (white)Dashboard lightsPhone battery level (white)Shows the battery charge level of the mobile phone connected to the car.On Volkswagen
Race driving profile (white two flags)Dashboard lightsRace driving profile (white two flags)Shown when the Race driving profile has been selected with the driving profile selector.On Volkswagen
SCR system fault (white AdBlue bottle and spanner)Dashboard lightsSCR system fault (white AdBlue bottle and spanner)White first stage of an exhaust aftertreatment (SCR) fault, or non-standard AdBlue. Drive to a workshop. If it is not fixed within 50 km, the warning turns yellow with about 1,000 km left before the engine can no longer be started.On Volkswagen
Safe distance warning2 meaningsSafe distance warningFront Assist distance warning: you are too close to the vehicle in front. Increase the distance.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Service due (white double spanner)Dashboard lightsService due (white double spanner)A service is due: an oil change service, an inspection or both, as shown in the service interval display.On Volkswagen
Snowflake, horizontal arm (white)Dashboard lightsSnowflake, horizontal arm (white)Shown when the Snow driving profile has been selected with the driving profile selector.On Volkswagen
Snowflake, vertical arm (white)Dashboard lightsSnowflake, vertical arm (white)Shown next to the outside temperature when it falls below about +4°C (+39°F); it stays until the temperature rises above about +6°C (+43°F). Roads can be icy even above +4°C, so do not rely on this display alone.On Volkswagen
Speed adapted to road layout (white)Dashboard lightsSpeed adapted to road layout (white)Predictive cruise control is adjusting speed to the road ahead, such as bends. It is set up in the Assist systems menu and works when adaptive cruise control is on.On Volkswagen
Speed limiter active (white, LIM beside gauge)Dashboard lightsSpeed limiter active (white, LIM beside gauge)White version: the speed limiter is switched on and regulating.On Volkswagen
Sport driving profile (white flag over road)Dashboard lightsSport driving profile (white flag over road)Shown when the Sport driving profile has been selected with the driving profile selector.On Volkswagen
Start-stop engine off2 meaningsStart-stop engine offThe start/stop system is available and has switched the engine off automatically.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen
Take over steering (white hands on wheel)2 meaningsTake over steering (white hands on wheel)Lights white with a message when Travel Assist asks you to take over the steering. If ignored, it is followed by the red request to take over immediately.Differs by brand.On Volkswagen