Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Guide

Know What To Do, When Your Vehicle Talks To You!


Do you know what every dashboard warning light means? With almost two dozen different signs to help keep you informed of your vehicle’s performance, understanding what each signal means is an important step in the maintenance of your vehicle. And rather than having to dig through the glove box find to find your owner’s manual, Falmouth Toyota has simplified the process. Below you will find our guide to the most common and asked about dashboard indicator lights & symbols.

For a full description of what each signal or if you are experiencing a symbol not listed, please contact our Toyota Service Department at 508-759-1900.


What Do These Toyota Dashboard Symbols Mean?

Please note this list does NOT include every symbol. Some symbols and there features may not be equipped on your vehicle. Please contact our service department for further details.

ABS Warning Light - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols ABS Warning Light

This light appears when there is a fault in the ABS braking system. Although this will not result in you losing your brakes, you will want to quickly have the vehicle inspected by a factory trained technician at Falmouth Toyota. Schedule Service

Automatic High Beams Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Automatic High Beams Indicator

Symbol is lit green and comes on automatically when automatic high beams are active. If icon is yellow, indicates a malfunction with the system and should be inspected by a factory trained technician at Falmouth Toyota. Schedule Service

All Wheel Drive (AWD) Lock Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols All Wheel Drive (AWD) Lock Indicator

Indicates that all-wheel-drive lock mode has been activated. All-wheel-drive lock mode can be used when a large amount of drive power needs to be applied to all the wheels, such as when the vehicle gets stuck in mud and you need to free it.

Blind Spot Monitor Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Blind Spot Monitor

Symbol is lit green and comes on automatically when blind spot monitor is active. If icon is yellow, it may indicate a malfunction with the system and should be inspected by a factory trained technician at Falmouth Toyota.

Brake Hold - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Brake Hold Indicator

The Brake Hold system keeps the brake applied when the shift lever is in D, S or N with the system on and the brake pedal has been depressed to stop the vehicle. The system releases the brake when the accelerator pedal is depressed.

Charging System Warning Light - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Charging System Warning Light

This warning indicates a possible problem with the battery or charging circuit. If the light appears while driving, it could also indicate faulty wiring or a broken fan belt. Stop the vehicle immediately call Falmouth Toyota for further help. Schedule Service

Cruise Control Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Cruise Control Indicator

Indicates the vehicle has been set and is actively using cruise control to maintain set speed. Pressing on brake will disengage cruise control.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Dynamic Radar Cruise Control Indicator

Indicates the vehicle has been set and is actively using cruise control to maintain set speed. If icon is yellow, it may indicate a malfunction with the system and should be inspected by a factory trained technician at Falmouth Toyota.

Headlight Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Headlight Indicator

This indicator on the instrument panel illuminates when the headlights, parking, taillights, license plate and instrument panel lights turn on. It does not illuminate when only the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are on.

Highbeams Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Highbeams Indicator

Indicates that the high-beam headlights have been activated.

Lane Departure Alert Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Lane Departure Alert Indicator

While driving on a road that has lane markers, this system recognizes the lane markers using a camera as a sensor to alert the driver when the vehicle deviates from its lane. If the system judges that the vehicle has deviated from its lane, it alerts the driver using a buzzer and indicators on the Multi-Information Display.

Low Fuel Alert Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Low Fuel Indicator

Low fuel. After refueling to correct the suspected problem, check that the warning light goes off. If not, have your vehicle inspected by a factory trained technician at Falmouth Toyota. Schedule Service

Low Engine Oil Level Light - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Low Engine Oil Level Light

Indicates that the engine oil level is low. A buzzer also sounds. This message may appear if the vehicle is stopped on a slope. Move the vehicle to a level surface and check to see if the message disappears.

Low Outside Temperature Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Low Outside Temperature Indicator

Low outside temperature indicator comes on when the ambient temperature is 37°F (3°C) or lower.

Maintenance Required Reminder Light - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Maintenance Required Reminder Light

Indicates that maintenance is required according to the driven distance on the maintenance schedule. On newer Toyota models, this light will turn on every 5,000 miles to remind you of an oil change and tire rotation. Perform maintenance as necessary and reset light. Schedule Service

Check Engine Warning Light - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Malfunction Indicator Light

Have your vehicle inspected immediately at Falmouth Toyota. Failure to investigate the cause of this warning may lead to the system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately. Schedule Service

Master Warning Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Master Warning Indicator

A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and flashes to indicate that the master warning system has detected a malfunction. Have your vehicle inspected by a factory trained technician at Falmouth Toyota. Schedule Service

Low Oil Pressure Warning Light - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Low Oil Pressure Warning Light

Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low. Stop the vehicle immediately. The following warning indicates the possibility of damage to the vehicle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact Falmouth Toyota. Schedule Service

Intuitive Parking Assist Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Intuitive Parking Assist Indicator

The Intuitive Parking Assist switch turns the Intuitive Parking Assist on/off. When on, the indicator light comes on to inform the driver that the system is operational. A buzzer will sound when the sensors are operating.

Electric Power Steering System Warning Light - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Electric Power Steering System Warning Light

Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steering) system. Have your vehicle inspected by a factory trained technician at Falmouth Toyota immediately. Schedule Service

Security Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Security Indicator

Non Smart Key Systems: The indicator light flashes after the key has been removed from the engine switch to indicate that the system is operating. The indicator light stops flashing after the registered key has been inserted into the engine switch to indicate that the system has been canceled.

Smart Key Systems:The indicator light flashes after the ENGINE START/STOP switch has been turned off to indicate that the system is operating. The indicator light stops flashing after the ENGINE START/STOP switch has been turned to ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode to indicate that the system has been canceled.

Sport Mode Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Sport Mode Indicator

Press the switch for powerful acceleration and driving in mountainous regions. Press the switch again to return to normal mode.

AIR BAG On/Off Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols AIR BAG On/Off Indicator

Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger occupant classification system. This system detects the conditions of the front passenger seat and activates or deactivates the devices for the front passenger. The passenger airbag ON/OFF indicator illuminates to keep the driver/front passenger aware of the system‘s status.

SRS Warning Light - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols SRS Warning Light

Indicates a malfunction in either the: SRS airbag system, ront passenger occupant classification system or the seat belt pretensioner system. Have your vehicle inspected immediately by a factory trained technician at Falmouth Toyota. Schedule Service

Start & Stop Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Start & Stop Indicator

The Stop & Start system stops and restarts the engine according to the brake pedal operation and other operations when the vehicle is stopped.

High Engine Coolant Temperature Warning - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols High Engine Coolant Temperature Warning

Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is too high. Turn off your vehicle and let cool to check coolant level, then schedule an appointment with our factory trained technicians at Falmouth Toyota. Schedule Service

Tire Pressure Warning Light - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Tire Pressure Warning Light

Low tire inflation from natural causes (temperature changes) or flat tire. Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level. The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case the light does not turn off even if the tire inflation pressure is adjusted, have the system checked by a factory trained technician at Falmouth Toyota. Schedule Service

TRAC Off Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols TRAC Off Indicator

If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, VSC, Trailer-Sway Control and TRAC may reduce power from the engine to the wheels. You may need to turn the system off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it. Press and hold the VSC OFF switch for more than 3 seconds while the vehicle is stopped to turn off TRAC, VSC and Trailer-Sway Control. The VSC OFF and TRAC OFF indicators will come on. Push the switch again to turn both systems back on.

TRAC/VSC Slip Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols TRAC/VSC Slip Indicator

If the system indicates your tires may be slipping, the slip indicator flashes to indicate that Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and/or Traction Control (TRAC) are operating in order to regain traction. If the light stays on, it could indicate a malfunction in the TRAC/VSC system itself. Schedule Service

Turn Signal Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Turn Signal Indicator

Indicates that one of the turn signals has been activated.

VSC Off Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols VSC Off Indicator

Push and hold the switch while the vehicle is stopped to turn off TRAC and VSC. The TRAC OFF indicator light and VSC off indicator light should come on. Push the switch again to turn the system back on.

Low Washer Fluid Indicator - Toyota Dashboard Lights & Symbols Low Washer Fluid Indicator

Indicates that the washer fluid level is low.

Need A Dashboard Light Taken Care Of?

Schedule a service appointment with our factory trained technicians at Falmouth Toyota today!

The Toyota factory trained technicians at Falmouth Toyota will quickly and professionally diagnose and provide you with a resolution to your dashboard warning and maintenance lights. We can fix your check engine lights, temperature warning lights, airbag lights, tire pressure warning lights, oil pressure lights, master warning indicators and more. Our Service Department was even named Cape Cod's Best Auto Service Dealership for 2019.