Volkswagen Dashboard Symbols And Warning Lights Meanings

ABS Light:

Yellow light. It will show up as "ABS" in big letters on your dash, typically on the speedometer side towards the top. This is to tell you that your Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is malfunctioning. It will come on in combination with a brake warning light.

AdBlue Light (Part 1):

Yellow light. This warning looks like a water bottle pouring over to the left with some liquid coming out. This light means your AdBlue tank needs to be refilled or is malfunctioning.

AdBlue Light (Part 2):

Yellow light. If you see the previous symbol and it's listed above the words "together with" and a wrench, this means your AdBlue has a system malfunction. It is also possible that it was not filled with standard AdBlue fluid.

AdBlue Light (Part 3):

Red light. When the same water-bottle-like symbol is red, it means you cannot restart your engine due to AdBlue issues. Possible issues could be not enough AdBlue fluid or a malfunction.

Airbag Problem Light:

Yellow light. You'll see this on the left side of the speedometer on your dash. It looks like a person sitting with their seatbelt and a big circle in front of their head. This means that the airbag or seatbelt system is faulty or that the airbags are deactivated for passengers.

Automatic Transmission Malfunction Light:

Yellow light. The automatic transmission malfunction light looks like a gear with an exclamation point in the middle. You'll want to have your car's system checked immediately by a Volkswagen service center.

Battery Error Light:

Red light. This warning looks like a rectangular battery with plus and minus symbols. It means your battery charging system is failing. It is usually on the top of the RPM side (tachometer).

Brake Light Bulb Failure Light:

Yellow light. When one or more of your brake lights are failing or out, you'll see this indicator, which looks like an upside-down light bulb with parentheses around it.

Brake Pad Wear Light:

Yellow light. A circle with dotted parentheses around it tells you to check your brake pads for wear and tear.

Bulb Failure Light:

Yellow light. If you see this upside-down light bulb on the dash of your Volkswagen, it means you have a burned-out light somewhere. It may be solid or flashing:

• Solid: When the symbol is solid, it indicates that bulb failure is occurring.
• Flashing: Flashing tells you that the leveling of the headlights or the AFS is defective.

Central Warning Light:

Red light. This symbol looks like a red triangle with an exclamation mark on the dashboard. Volkswagen central warning lights illuminate to tell you a message – read and follow the text in the instrument cluster when you see this light.

Coolant Level Light:

Red light. This sign means your coolant level is low or your coolant temperature is too high. Stop and check levels immediately.

Diesel Engine Pre-Glow Light:

Yellow light. You'll see this light on the top left of the tachometer of your dash. It looks like a curling line. When solid, it means the pre-glow system is on. If flashing, there is a malfunction in the diesel engine.

DRL Light:

Green light. This message says DRL in big, bold letters. It is simply letting you know your daytime running lights are on. It will typically be on the bottom right of the speedometer.

DSG Light:

Red light. The direct-shift gearbox (DSG) warning looks like a thermometer inside of a gear. It means your DSG is too hot. Stay in park, and do not drive until the transmission has cooled.

Engine Malfunction Light:

Yellow light. It depicts a small engine to tell you that you're having powertrain issues and need to bring your car in for service. You'll see it to the left of your tachometer.

EPC Light:

Yellow light. It simply says EPC. It means your electronic power control is malfunctioning and your vehicle needs servicing. It will be on the left side of your tachometer.

ESC/ASR Light:

Yellow light. It looks like a car with squiggly lines behind the wheels and will read "ESC" underneath. It means your electronic stability control or anti-slip regulation system is inactive or malfunctioning. It'll be on the top or middle of your speedometer.

Fuel Cap Light:

Yellow light. It looks like the cap for your gas tank is flying off the car – and, no surprise, that's because it means your cap is gone or off.

Hood Light:

Red light. This one looks like a car with the hood open. You guessed it – it means your engine hood is open or that it was closed improperly. Close it before proceeding to drive.

Hybrid Drive Light:

Yellow or red light. This VW warning light looks like a car with an exclamation point through it. If it is yellow, you have a hybrid system malfunction and need to take it to be serviced when you can. If the same symbol is red, stop the vehicle and seek assistance immediately.

Immobilizer Light:

Yellow light. It looks like a vehicle with a key on the bottom. It means the wrong key has been inserted; therefore, you can't move the car. You'll see this on the top of your tachometer.

License Plate Bulb Light:

Yellow light. This is also known as the B-X32 warning. It looks like a license plate with a "B-X 32" on it and a light above it. It means one or more license plates (depending on your model) are burned out. Bring it to your local Volkswagen service center, and they can replace it with a genuine OEM bulb.

Low Fuel Light:

Yellow light. We are sure you have seen this one before. It means it's time for more gas. Be aware it is dangerous to drive with your tank below 25 available miles.

Oil Pressure Light:

Yellow or red light. There are two versions of this light. The yellow one looks like your speedometer with an exclamation point to the left of it. The red one looks like an oil can with a drop coming out of it. If you see either, but especially the red one, we advise you to turn your engine off and contact your local dealership ASAP.

Oil Level Light:

Yellow light. It looks like an oil can with a zig-zagging line under it. It means you need to check your oil level or oil sensor. You can periodically check your oil yourself, but if this light comes on, we recommend bringing it in for service.

Parking Brake Light (Part One):

Red light. It's an exclamation point in a circle with parentheses around the outside. It can mean multiple things, including the following:

• Your parking brake is applied. You must remove the parking brake to drive.
• If this light comes on at the same time as the ABS signal, you could have an ABS malfunction.
• You could have low brake fluid. Try undoing the parking brake and see if it goes away. You should hear an audible warning once you stop the car if it's your brake fluid. If the brake fluid is low, schedule service.

Parking Brake Light (Part Two):

Red light. It is a P in a circle that's crossed out. It's telling you there is an error with your parking brake.

Particulate Filter Light:

Yellow light. It is a rectangle with polka dots in it and a nozzle coming out of the right side. It is telling you to check your diesel engine because it could be blocked with soot. It will likely appear on the left side of your tachometer.

Rain Sensor Light:

Yellow light. It looks like a windshield with a light shining on it. Try turning your vehicle off and back on again. If the warning symbol is still there, see a service center.

Shift Lock Light:

Green light. It looks like a shoe in a circle. It simply means the brake has to be applied to shift the vehicle into gear. It is usually found on the bottom left of the speedometer.

Steering Light:

Yellow or red light. This light has four potential meanings, and all will look like a steering wheel.

• If the symbol is solid yellow, it means your power steering is reduced.
• If the wheel is yellow and flashing, the electronic steering column is malfunctioning.
• If the symbol is solid red, your power steering assist is failing.
• If the wheel symbol is red and flashing, there is a major issue with the steering column lock.

VW Steering Wheel Light with Exclamation Mark:

Red light. If the VW steering wheel light exclamation mark symbol is lit up in red, it means there is a steering system malfunction. If it flashes red with an exclamation mark, there is a malfunction in your electronic steering column lock.

Tire Pressure Light:

Yellow light. This is a common one. It means your tire pressure is low. Pull over ASAP, and check your tires for holes or punctures to make sure you don't get a flat. You can manually add air, or if it's a larger tire issue, you can see a dealership.

Washer Fluid Light:

Yellow light. It looks like your windshield wiper with some fluid in it. All this means is you need more washer fluid for your windshield wipers.