Vauxhall Warning and Indicator light symbols

Vauxhall Dashboard Lights Guide

Dashboard icons and what they mean

Dashboard warning lights are present in most modern cars. Their purpose is to alert the driver to immediate or potential danger – or simply to indicate that something is working properly. Helpfully, dashboard icons are colour-coded, based upon the easy-to-understand traffic light system.

So, what do the colours signify:

RED – this spells danger and means that immediate attention is required. Stop driving as soon as you are safely able to do so.

YELLOW (or amber) – this indicates an issue that doesn’t require immediate attention but should be acted upon in the short term.

GREEN – this signifies things are working just as they should be.

Depending on the make and model of your car, you may also see blue and white lights.

BLUE – confirmation of external action (e.g., headlights have switched to high-beam mode).

WHITE – confirmation of internal action (e.g., cruise control is initiated, rain sensors are activated, seats are heating up, etc.).

Where can I find a list of dashboard icon meanings?

Your car’s handbook should feature everything you need to know about its dashboard icons/warning lights. If you don’t have access to that, the manufacturer will be able to help. Alternatively, a quick search online should yield results. Of course, you’re welcome to contact the team at your nearest Thurlow Nunn showroom if you have any questions on the subject.

GREEN ICONS
AMBER ICONS
RED ICONS

A green light is nothing to be worried about. In fact, it’s positive confirmation that a system or component is functioning correctly (e.g., fog lights are on, seatbelts are fastened, etc.).

Green - Confirmation of Activation

Cruise control is activated (illuminates green)
Cruise control is activated (illuminates green)
Descent Control System (DCS) in operation (flashes green)
Descent Control System (DCS) ready for operation (illuminates green)
Lane departure switched on (illuminates green)
Vehicle detected ahead (illuminates green)
Automatic restart (flashes green)
Fuel economy mode switched on (illuminates green)
Daytime running light on
Front fog lights on (illuminates green)
Headlights on
High beam assist (illuminates green)
Sidelights on (illuminates green)
Turn signal / hazard warning light (illuminates or flashes green
Trailer indicator (illuminates green)
Trailer indicator (illuminates green)
Rear seat belts buckled (illuminates green)
"Upshift recommended" warning (illuminates green)

A yellow light typically identifies a fault – not one that necessarily requires immediate attention but one that needs to be addressed in the short term. For example, a yellow light (and accompanying symbol) might signify a brake pad is worn or that Speed Limiter has been activated when perhaps you don’t need it to be.

Amber - Confirmation of Activation

Low washer ﬂuid warning (illuminates yellow)
Speed limiter is on (illuminates yellow)
Speed limiter is on (illuminates yellow)
Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning (illuminates yellow)
Brake pads worn (illuminates yellow)
Electronic parking brake degraded performance (illuminates yellow)
Electronic parking brake degraded performance (illuminates yellow)
Descent Control System (DCS) fault (illuminates yellow)
Descent Control System (DCS) not ready (flashes yellow)
Distance no vehicle ahead too low (illuminates yellow)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) deactivated (illuminates yellow)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) deactivated (illuminates yellow)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) deactivated (illuminates yellow)
Electronic stability Control (ESC) engaged (illuminates yellow)
Electronic stability Control (ESC) engaged (illuminates yellow)
Electronic stability Control (ESC) engaged (illuminates yellow)
Electronic stability Control (ESC) Faults (illuminates yellow)
Electronic stability Control (ESC) Faults (illuminates yellow)

A red light can indicate one of many issues, which should easily be identified by the accompanying symbol. For instance, you’ll get a warning if a seatbelt is disconnected, or the bonnet or a door is open. If you are unable to remedy the problem immediately, please stop the car as soon as it’s safe to do so before acting.