Toyota Dashboard Warning Lights | What Do They Mean?
19th Nov 2024
Got a warning light that’s appeared on your Toyota dash? Or left wondering what a certain blue or green light means? Here’s our easy to follow Toyota warning light guide to help you identify the issue you may be having with your car and the recommended action to take.
They are:
RED warning lights: This indicates a fault has been detected. You should take immediate action and not ignore red warning lights. Stop the vehicle as soon as it's safe.
AMBER warning lights: An amber light also indicates a potential fault. These are less of a priority to red indication lights, but you still shouldn’t ignore them! Contact your Toyota dealership when safe to do so.
GREEN or BLUE warning lights:These act as notification light. This shows a feature is turned on and in operation.
Red Lights
Battery Charge
If you see this light, it indicates that your battery alternator is not charging the battery whilst driving. This means you are running the car on battery power alone, and it is not being recharged.
Airbag SRS
We strongly recommend you do not ignore any warning light connected to your airbag system. This warning light indicates a fault with either of the following: SRS airbag system Front passenger occupant system Seatbelt pretensioner system.
Brake System
A brake system light indicates one of two things: The parking brake is applied. There is a brake system malfunction.
Coolant Temperature
Stop your vehicle when safe to do so. This warning light indicates that the engine is at high temperatures or at risk of over-heating. With a possible risk of engine damage.
Power Steering
This warning light will indicate a problem with the electric power steering. When safe, you should stop your vehicle and contact your local dealership.
Oil Pressure
This light will appear when the engine ignition is switched on. However, if it remains lit, your engine oil is too low. You should stop safely and check the oil level of the vehicle.
Open Door
When lit this red light indicates a door is open and not fully closed. Safely pull over and check all doors and boot lids are shut.
Parking Brake
This light will appear when the handbrake/parking brake is applied. When disengaged, the light will disappear. Before driving, fully release the parking brake.
Rear Differential Lock
A rear differential lock is used to prevent the rear wheels from spinning. Helping you get out of a ditch or ragged surface. To activate, simply press the rear differential lock button, the red light will be lit. *Warning* do not drive over 5mph when activated.
Rear Passenger Seatbelt
This light will indicate and warn passengers to fasten their seatbelts. If all seatbelts are fastened, the light will disappear. Be mindful that this light can also appear if you have heavy objects on the passenger seats.
Front Seatbelt
Similar to the passenger light, this will remain lit and alert the driver to fasten their seatbelt.
Yellow Lights
ABS System
If your ABS light (anti-lock braking system) is lit, stop the vehicle and organise a professional diagnostic. This light indicates there could be a fault with the ABS system.
AdBlue
The warning light is notifying you that the AdBlue level is too low. Refill your AdBlue reservoir or contact a dealership.
Brake Override System
When lit, this warning light is telling you the brake and accelerator pedals are being depressed simultaneously. Release the accelerator pedal and depress your brake. If the light then flashes, contact your local Toyota dealership for diagnostic checks.
Brake System
This warning has one of two reasons for being lit:Your brake system has a malfunction. You should stop your vehicle and contact your dealership. Or the parking brake is on. Do not drive with this warning light lit as it can cause possible damage to your vehicle.
DPF System
If this warning light appears it can indicate a fault with the DPF System. You should contact your Toyota dealership for further diagnostic. The DPF, also known as the Diesel Particulate Filter. Is designed to catch soot particles and NOx during the combustion process.
Engine Oil
A common warning light to indicate your engine oil needs replenishing.
Engine Malfunction
This warning light will appear to indicate an engine malfunction.
Electronic Power Steering
When lit, a fault has been detected with the power steering. Without power steering, your vehicle will be very difficult to manoeuvre.
Fuel Filter
A warning light that indicates your diesel fuel filter is full and requires emptying to avoid vehicle damage. Contact your local Toyota dealership to inspect the problem.
Lane Departure Warning
This warning light sounds a warning to indicate the vehicle is leaving its lane.
Tyre Pressure
A warning light will indicate when tyre pressure is too low.
Low Fuel
Common warning light to express low fuel levels.
TRC Off
TRC stands for Toyota Control System which helps maintain drive power and prevent wheels from spinning when beginning to accelerate. To switch off the system, simply press the button and press again to enable.
Low Speed Four-Wheel Drive
This appears when the 4LO function is active. This is used for climbing and descending hills as well as used for off-road driving, hard pulling in sand, mud or snow.
Washer Fluid
Indicates that screen wash and washer fluid is currently low and needs replenishing.
Master Warning
The master warning light will flash and indicate a master warning system. This will be followed by a message on the dashboard. Follow these instructions to further identify the problem and resolve.
Pre-Crash Safety System
When the Pre-crash Safety Light is lit, it can indicate either a fault with the system or that the system is unavailable. This can be because the car is too cold, too hot or the sensor is blocked/unclean. Wait for the car to cool down or warm up and check the car is clean of any dirt in front of the camera.
Security Indicator
A warning light will flash when the key has been removed from the engine switch. This shows the system is still operating. The light will then extinguish after the key has been inserted into the switch. To force the system to be cancelled.
Green Lights
Cruise Control
An information light to indicate the cruise control function is currently active. To activate/deactivate press the ON-OFF button.
Four-Wheel Drive
This lights up when the four-wheel drive function is enabled. This indicates a higher position of driving used to provide greater traction for uneven or slippery surfaces. This function should be used on tracks that permit tyre slides or in icy or snow conditions.
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
A unique innovation safety feature from Toyota. When activated, the ICS system uses sensors located at the rear and front of your vehicle, to help navigate tight parking spaces and objects. A warning sound will be played when approaching and getting closer to an object.
Parking Assist Sensor
This warning light indicates that the parking sensor is active.
Speed Limiter
A simple information light to indicate the speed limiter is active. This will prevent you from exceeding the desired speed. Simply activate when at the speed required.
Stop and Start
The stop/start system allows the engine to restart and stop when not stationary to conserve fuel and improve efficiency. If the engine stops due to the start/stop system, the information light will display.
Stop and Start Cancel
This information light will be lit when the stop/start function has been turned off.
Indicators
These light up when indicating to go either left or right during driving. Both lights will also continually flash when hazard lights are activated via the warning triangle button.
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