Indicator light

Control lamp is the name for a light-emitting display element or signal that provides information about the status of a device to be monitored. The area of application extends from almost every electrical device in the household (stove, dishwasher, etc.) to computer technology (screen), industry and systems technology (power plant control center) to vehicle technology (charge indicator light for the battery).

Automotive engineering

In the motor vehicle indicator lights are used to inform the driver of the technical state of the vehicle or its systems. The indicator lights are usually located in the instrument cluster , sometimes elsewhere on the dashboard . Control lights serve u. a. to display the switching status of equipment (e.g. indicators, high beam). They are also called warning lights when they are intended to inform the driver about a malfunction of the vehicle while driving. When the ignition is switched on, the indicator lights come on for a few seconds. This enables the driver to check the functionality of the indicator lights. Every driver should find out more about the specific indicator lights in their vehicle's operating manual. The recommended reaction to the lighting up of the respective control lamp can also be found there. The color used for the lamp also says something about the importance of the displayed event. So green stands for a hint, e.g. B. Turn indicators switched on, while yellow and red indicate warning messages, malfunctions and errors. The colors and symbols used by the vehicle manufacturer can differ in details.

This does not apply to the indicator lights that

in Germany in the StVZO (§39a StVZO refers in the appendix to the Council Directive 78/316 / EEC in the corresponding version) or
in Switzerland in the ordinance on technical requirements for transport motor vehicles and their trailers ( Art. 2.12.6 TAFV 1 refers to 78/316 / EEC and is valid for transport motor vehicles of classes M ₁ , M ₂ , M ₃ , N ₁ , N ₂ and N ₃ according to Art. 11 and Art. 12 VTS , which includes all vehicles with at least four wheels)

are regulated. Some examples:

designation	Illustration	designation	Illustration
indicator		Trailer blinker
dimmed headlights		High beam
Fog lights		Rear fog light
Headlight range adjustment		open car door
Generator ( alternator )		Brake pad wear
Engine control light		SECTION
oil pressure		ESP
Immobilizer	(Opel Astra: car shown with a typical lock)	Parking brake , "handbrake" (if necessary brake fluid)
Cruise control system		Operate the foot brake ( automatic transmission )
Refueling		Preheating (diesel)
Airbag		Put on the belt
Tire pressure loss		Wash water level
Particle filter	(sometimes also the abbreviation DPF)	Traction control	(sometimes also like the indicator light of the tire pressure loss only with a crossed out TC within the symbol instead of an exclamation mark)
Power steering or electronic steering lock		Parking light