Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols

Welcome to Toyota of Irving’s guide to Toyota dashboard symbols. We’re here to help you understand those mysterious lights on your dashboard. Your car has a smart system with 22 indicators to keep you updated on its performance and condition.

Toyota’s dashboard icons use colors to show how urgent a message is. Yellow lights mean you need to check something important, like your fuel level. Red lights are for serious issues, like an open door or low oil pressure. Knowing what these symbols mean is crucial for your Toyota’s health and your safety.

We’ll cover the most common dashboard lights you’ll see in your Toyota. By the end of this guide, you’ll be an expert at reading your car’s messages. You’ll know when to take action. Let’s explore Toyota’s dashboard communication system together!

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Understanding Toyota Dashboard Symbols: Your Vehicle’s Communication System

Toyota vehicle symbols are key to talking to your car. They tell you about your car’s health and performance. Knowing these symbols helps keep your car running well and fixes problems fast.

Color-Coded Warning System Explained

Toyota’s dashboard lights use colors to show how urgent a message is:

• Green or blue lights: These show active features or systems
• Yellow lights: These mean service is needed later
• Red lights: These are urgent and need action now

	Your ABS Warning Light One of the most common dashboard lights in all vehicles. When it is illuminated, it indicates a malfunction in a sensor, computer, or hydraulic channel. While braking is typically possible, your ABS will not be working correctly (or at all), which may seriously impact your ability to avoid an accident. It’s recommended to seek Toyota’s service immediately.
	A Red Battery Symbol Another alert that requires immediate attention. Your vehicle’s ability to self-charge the battery is compromised, and you may get left stranded. It could indicate a faulty starter/alternator/battery or wiring. You may see dim or flickering headlights prior to this light illuminating.
	A Speedometer With An Arrow This is your cruise control indicator! You have most likely toggled system activation without realizing it. Simply depress the activation button, and the light will extinguish. Yellow means turned on. Green means cruise speed has been selected.
	A Steering Wheel Paired With ! This indicates a serious issue with the electronic power steering (EPS) system of your vehicle. It might be an electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic fault, and you might lose control of your car. If you have a new Toyota 4Runner and have recently been off-road, this light can be due to unexpected trail damage. See Toyota service immediately.
	The Sideways Jellyfish Light Always illuminated in blue, this light is harmless. It indicates that your high beams have been switched on, so be sure to turn them off if there is consistent, oncoming traffic.
	The Oil Can Spout With Drip This is your oil pressure warning light. It’s red. You may experience seeing this light in extreme cold, as it takes longer for oil to circulate at the initial start-up. If the light stays on, it indicates a pressure issue and could result from failed seals, internal hydraulic problems, low oil levels, and more. Seek immediate Toyota service. Your new Toyota RAV4 is counting on you!
	The Old-School Gas Pump This light indicates a low fuel level. You may see secondary alerts on your GPS system if equipped. While this light isn’t necessarily a serious one, failure to replenish your fuel supply can leave you stranded. As comfortable as the new Toyota Highlander is, you might regret spending a sleepless night alone on the road in the middle of nowhere while waiting for roadside assistance!
	The Triangle with A ! In The Middle This is your master warning alert. An audible buzzer sound accompanies it. This alert can indicate a minor or major issue, and it is almost always paired with another warning light of some kind. Depending on the nature of the alert, it’s always best to consult with Toyota service.
	The Person & Seatbelt Light This is your seatbelt reminder light. Depending on your year and model, the light might be yellow or red. It will typically flash with an audible alert if you fail to buckle up once in motion. While service isn’t indicated with this light, your safety and the safety of your passengers are.
	TRAC OFF This light alerts you to the fact that your TRAC and/or VSC system has been switched off. Your Toyota vehicle is designed to help you stay in control when surfaces are slippery, mainly through limiting transmission and wheel spin. However, if you go offroad with a Toyota 4Runner or Toyota Highlander, for instance, it may be advantageous to shut this system off if conditions require continuous wheel spin, e.g. rocking your vehicle back and forth in drive and reverse to come unstuck.
	The Car With The Lock This light is a security check at vehicle start-up and works slightly differently on models with or without a Smart Key System. It will extinguish in either case if security checks are successful, but if it remains illuminated, it might indicate a fault in telematics or your key detection unit. If you experience alarm difficulties, please contact your Toyota dealer.
	Car With Squiggly Lines This is your slip indicator. It almost always alerts you to your traction control system’s activities. You might see it flash after hitting a huge puddle, ice, snow, or mud. While not necessarily a fault, this light is there to let you know your Toyota vehicle is performing as designed and to be aware of low-traction driving.
	A Car With Squiggly Lines & OFF This light is your VSC OFF indicator and pairs with your TRAC OFF light. Flashing indicates correct system functioning and illuminated means that the system is off. As with disabling your TRAC system, you can shut down your VSC system to build momentum to become unstuck.
	Seated Passenger With A Ball On Their Lap No, this light does not suggest a trip to the beach with a beach ball. It is your SRS warning light, and it indicates an issue with your supplementary restraint system (your airbags). If you see this red light illuminated, you must seek Toyota service immediately.
	A Round Lamp Shade With A ! In The Middle This graphic has evolved over time, but it’s actually an image of a tire with low air in it. Your TPMS is at work, ensuring that your tires stay inflated to correct pressure. This warning lamp may indicate your needing air, a leak, or possibly a system error. If this light persists, seek Toyota’s service.
	Arrows Pointing Left & Right This light is harmless and indicates that your turn signal system has been activated. Either finish your turn for auto-correction or switch the indicator off at the signal stalk.

The Importance of Regular Symbol Checks

Checking your dashboard symbols often is key. It catches problems early, avoiding big issues and keeping you safe. If the ABS or SRS light doesn’t come on when you start your Toyota, it’s a sign of a problem that needs fixing right away.

Common Toyota Vehicle Status Indicators

We’re exploring Toyota dashboard signs to help you understand your car’s messages. These indicators tell you about your car’s status, from driving modes to safety alerts.

Driving Mode Indicators

Your Toyota’s dashboard shows different driving mode lights. The Eco Driving Indicator Light turns on for fuel-efficient driving. Switching to Sport Mode lights up another indicator, for faster acceleration.

These lights help you choose the best driving experience for you and the road.

Safety and Security Indicators

Toyota cares about your safety with several indicators. The door ajar warning lights up if a door is open. The seatbelt indicator reminds everyone to buckle up.

For security, a flashing light shows when your car’s anti-theft system is on. This gives you peace of mind when parked.

Lighting and Fuel Status

Your dashboard also tells you about your car’s lights and fuel. The headlight indicator lights up when your lights are on. The high beam indicator reminds you when your bright lights are on.

The low fuel indicator warns you when it’s time to fill up. It turns on when you have about 2.9 gallons left.

Maintenance Reminders

Don’t forget the maintenance required light. It turns on every 5,000 miles, reminding you it’s time for service. For expert care and more about Toyota dashboard signs, visit Toyota of Irving.

Call (972) 440-5317 or stop by 1999 W Airport Fwy, Irving, TX 75062 for all your Toyota needs.

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