# In this thread we discuss dash lights and what they resemble **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 26, 2024, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226 "2024-08-26T02:51:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ec9cab/32.png) [@MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MW_Degen_Gamblr)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/1 "2024-08-26T02:51:24Z")
Tire pressure light - Lyre Check engine - Crack pipe. Or at least what I think a crack pipe looks like. I wouldn’t know. Im a Midwestern suburbanite. We get our kicks from Monster energy drinks and cold plunges. Low oil - Genie bottle. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/2 "2024-08-26T04:02:59Z")
The check engine light looks like the outline of an ummmm engine. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/3 "2024-08-26T10:00:10Z")
Or a vroom vroom engine. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/4 "2024-08-26T11:55:27Z")
> [@MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](#): > > Tire pressure light - Lyre Hah! I thought was the only one. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/5 "2024-08-26T11:55:35Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > The check engine light looks like the outline of an ummmm engine. It does, but IMO, it looks like an engine in the same way the save icon on your computer looks like storage media. I mean, it’s not that drastic of a change, but how many modern cars still have circular air filters mounted on top? ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/6 "2024-08-26T12:10:28Z")
obligatory SDMB nitpick: what makes you think the air filter in the CEL icon is circular? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/7 "2024-08-26T12:23:28Z")
My interpretation has always been, referencing this picture: [![](https://media.istockphoto.com/id/1457265224/vector/error-check-engine-on-the-dashboard-of-the-car.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=5HR3Efi9toPwhfOeei1oWJ6qfUjrDMRHOHJMTH4CRGY=) ](https://media.istockphoto.com/id/1457265224/vector/error-check-engine-on-the-dashboard-of-the-car.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=5HR3Efi9toPwhfOeei1oWJ6qfUjrDMRHOHJMTH4CRGY=) The fan on the left, air filter on top and flywheel on the right. I’m not saying I’m right, but I’m not sure what else that would be on top. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/8 "2024-08-26T12:30:45Z")
FWIW - I totally see where you are coming from and read it similarily … but you can’t tell “circular” from that perspective … it could also be a rectangular AF … 😉 e.g. [![](https://autobritannia.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/dsc_04591.jpg?w=723) ](https://autobritannia.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/dsc_04591.jpg?w=723) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/9 "2024-08-26T13:56:31Z")
It’s telling you to check your helicopter. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/10 "2024-08-26T14:22:45Z")
Vauxhall diesel particulate filter warning light looks like a VGA socket ! [![](https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/images/uploads/content/vauxhall-warning-lights-diesel-particulate-filter.png) ](https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/images/uploads/content/vauxhall-warning-lights-diesel-particulate-filter.png) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/11 "2024-08-26T14:27:50Z")
The Traction Control icon looks like it’s making fun of me for swerving around. [![](https://cdn-cbfkp.nitrocdn.com/YcabVeAPlDNFCnbppGBwuEGAbrEezPNs/assets/images/optimized/rev-ee4f091/vatire.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/traction-control.png) ](https://cdn-cbfkp.nitrocdn.com/YcabVeAPlDNFCnbppGBwuEGAbrEezPNs/assets/images/optimized/rev-ee4f091/vatire.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/traction-control.png) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/12 "2024-08-26T14:58:46Z")
Mustang has a [wrench](https://www.google.com/imgres?q=mustang%20dashboard%20wrench%20light&imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.carparts.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2Fwrench-light-symbol-on-different-car-makes.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.carparts.com%2Fblog%2Fwhat-does-the-wrench-light-mean%2F&docid=exCe7w8WhPpvEM&tbnid=DocuIiyBofas0M&vet=12ahUKEwiHw52q9ZKIAxVSEFkFHTULHaMQM3oECGAQAA..i&w=2000&h=1333&hcb=2&ved=2ahUKEwiHw52q9ZKIAxVSEFkFHTULHaMQM3oECGAQAA) shaped light for drive train issues. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/13 "2024-08-26T14:59:15Z")
Check your serial cable. I’ve always thought the tire pressure light looked like a butt crack. [![](https://www.prioritytire.com/media/wysiwyg/blog/new/pt-tpms-light-image-01.jpg) ](https://www.prioritytire.com/media/wysiwyg/blog/new/pt-tpms-light-image-01.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/14 "2024-08-26T15:53:07Z")
**SHE** is mooning you. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/15 "2024-08-26T16:00:16Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I mean, it’s not that drastic of a change, but how many modern cars still have circular air filters mounted on top? Or a belt driven fan hanging off the front? ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/16 "2024-08-26T17:11:10Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Or a belt driven fan hanging off the front? It’s clearly a direct drive fan hanging off the front. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/17 "2024-08-26T17:19:30Z")
Thanks. By itself, that Check Engine reminds me of a simplified map for for an event space, missing the details (you are here, stairs). The stage is at right, either bar/food counter or stairs to the top and left. Add the overlay for alarm pulls, exits and extinguisher locations and the fire inspector’s happy. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2024, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/18 "2024-08-26T17:29:44Z")
I once had a fairly new car which suddenly showed a warning icon on the dash. I looked like a triangle with an exclamation point in it. I looked it up in the manual and it said it was a “master warning” light. So I took it into the dealer. They called me and basically told me that I had crappy eyesight: it wasn’t a triangle, it was a tire icon, and it was just telling me that my tire pressure was low. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/19 "2024-08-27T15:01:29Z")
Nope. VGA has 15 pins, not 11. For a true modern engine, the icon should have a box around it very close to the engine representing how there is no room to work on your own car. > [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > It’s telling you to check your helicopter. Or drone in 2024 ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226/20 "2024-08-27T15:39:48Z")
Uears ago I had a rental for some reason (I think my car was in) My car didn’t have that then-newfangled TPMS. I got the exclamation point in parenthesis that @Mollie_Magill referenced above. I opened the glove compartment &, of course, there is no owners manual to figure out what this unknown-to-me symbol means. I was driving past a Dodge dealer so I pulled in (Hey, an exclamation point is important, right) & they told me it was a low tire pressure. I walked around the car & none of the tires were obviously low so I just drove it back to the rental place & let it be their problem. I just recently had it come on but all of my tires were good, then it was intermittent so I took it over to the tire place; turns out that two of the tires needed new batteries for the sensors. Damn they’re relatively expensive (over $100 for them installed). He was saying I could do the black electrical tape method of making the sensor disappear. Glad I did it right as I’ve now had one the sensor legitimately come on for one of those tires (slow leak). Taking it in for them to look at tomorrow. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-thread-we-discuss-dash-lights-and-what-they-resemble/1006226.md?page=2)