What Do Volvo Dashboard Warning Lights Mean?
If a flashing dashboard light has recently illuminated your vehicle's console, you're probably wondering what the Volvo dashboard symbols mean. Your vehicle's owner's manual will have a full list of the Volvo dashboard warning lights and their meanings. Still, if you don't have your Volvo manual handy, we've put together a brief synopsis of the Volvo dashboard lights to help you diagnose the Volvo dashboard warnings and their meanings. You can also contact our certified Volvo service center if you have any questions about your dashboard warning light.
Not all lights on the dashboard indicate a problem. Many indicator lights, such as high-beam headlights or turn signals, illuminate to tell you the system is on and working correctly. If you need to diagnose a check engine light or want help with a tire pressure warning light reset, please schedule Volvo service at our certified auto repair facility. Our team will troubleshoot the dashboard warning light, make any necessary repairs, and get you back on the road.
| Warning Light Displayed1 | Meaning |
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Volvo Active High Beams OffThe Volvo Active High Beam system uses camera sensors in your vehicle's windshield to detect the presence of headlights from approaching cars or the taillights of traffic ahead. If either is detected, your vehicle's headlights will automatically switch from high beams to low beams as a courtesy. This warning light tells you if the system is off. |
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Volvo Active High Beams OnThe Volvo Active High Beam system uses camera sensors in your vehicle's windshield to detect the presence of headlights from approaching cars or the taillights of cars ahead. If either set of lights is detected, your vehicle's headlights will automatically switch from high beams to low beams. This warning light tells you if the system is on. |
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Volvo Auto-Brake OnThe automatic brake hold system can keep the car at a standstill if you need to take your foot off the brake pedal. This warning light lets you know that the Automatic Brake Hold is on. Press the brake pedal and the Brake Hold button on your vehicle's center console to turn this off. |
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Volvo Emissions Control SystemIf the emission system control light is on, it typically means that the engine is misfiring, and there is an issue with the three-way catalytic converter. Keeping your engine tuned by following the factory maintenance schedule should prevent this light from coming on. If the light does come on, do not continue to operate your vehicle. |
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Volvo Fault in ABS SystemIf an ABS module fails, the ABS or traction control light may indicate a problem with the wheel speed sensors, ABS pump motor, or ABS Control Module. While you can still drive your vehicle with the ABS light on, please do not ignore it. The ABS keeps your car from skidding when you slam on the brakes. Schedule an ABS service appointment immediately if the ABS warning light turns on. |
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Volvo Fault in Brake SystemThis warning light turns on when any fault has occurred in the brake system. Check the instrument panel for a diagnostic message, then contact our authorized Volvo workshop for brake service and repair. |
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Volvo Fault in Headlight SystemIf this amber symbol has appeared on your vehicle's dashboard, this could indicate a headlamp bulb has burned out or an electrical fault in the headlight system. |
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Volvo Front Fog Lights OnMany lights on your vehicle's dashboard tell you a system is on and working correctly. This light tells you that the fog lights are on. |
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Volvo High Beams OnMany lights on your vehicle's dashboard tell you a system is on and working correctly. This light tells you that the high beam headlights are on. |
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Volvo InformationThis warning light often appears in combination with other Volvo warning lights to inform you that a problem has occurred with one of the vehicle's systems. Check the instrument panel for an information message. |
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Volvo Lane Keeping Aid and Rain SensorThis white symbol lets you know that the Lane Keeping Aid is active and the system detects lane marker lines on the road. The rain sensor warning lights tell you that the sensor is active and will adjust the speed of windshield wiper blades as needed. |
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Volvo Lane Keeping AidIf the light is gray, the Lane Keeping Aid system is active, but no lane marker lines are detected. |
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Volvo Left Turn SignalThis light will flash with an audible click when you indicate a left turn. If the light/sound flashes/clicks more rapidly than usual, a turn signal bulb is burned out and needs to be replaced. |
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Volvo Parking LightsThe parking lights are on and working correctly. |
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Volvo Preconditioning OnThese three white wavy lines tell you that the heater or air conditioning will precondition the passenger compartment to your desired temperature. |
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Volvo Rain Sensor OnThe rain sensor warning lights tell you that the sensor is active and will adjust the speed of windshield wiper blades as needed. |
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Volvo Rear Fog Light OnThis amber warning light means the vehicle's rear fog lights are on and working correctly. |
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Volvo Right Turn SignalThis light will flash with an audible click when you indicate a right turn. If the light/sound flashes/clicks more rapidly than usual, a turn signal bulb is burned out and needs to be replaced. |
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Volvo Stability SystemWhen this amber light is flashing, the system is working properly. If the light is steady on, there is a fault in the system and needs Volvo auto repair. |
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Volvo Stability System, Sport ModeThis light tells you that the stability system is off and Sport mode is on. |
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Volvo Tire Pressure SystemOne or more vehicle tires have dropped below the recommended psi level. Adding air to the low tire(s) should reset the tire pressure warning light. If adding air to the tires does not reset the TPMS, check the spare tire if the vehicle is equipped. Otherwise, you can bring your vehicle to our service center for a tire pressure light reset. |
1 Not all dashboard warning lights displayed apply to all models.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Volvo check engine lights mean?
A Volvo check engine light can indicate any number of malfunctions ranging from a loose fuel cap to a significant engine failure. Common causes of a Volvo check engine light include a loose or defective gas cap preventing gasoline vapors from escaping properly, worn/defective spark plugs, a faulty catalytic converter, or a dirty mass airflow sensor. While you can still drive your vehicle with a check engine light on, we recommend immediately bringing your car to an authorized Volvo service department. Driving with a faulty catalytic converter can lead to a costly repair.
How can I reset Volvo service and maintenance lights?
The best way to reset a Volvo dashboard warning light is to schedule a service appointment with our authorized Volvo service department for troubleshooting and repair. If you need to reset a tire pressure warning light, adding air to the low tire(s) will typically reset the warning light. If that fails, you can disconnect the negative terminal for your car's battery, wait 30 seconds, and depress the horn to purge any electricity from the system, then reconnect the battery cable. Bring your vehicle to our Volvo service department for repair if the warning light is still on.
What Volvo warning lights mean I should pull over and stop driving?
Several warning lights range from minor to severe but mean you should pull over and stop driving your vehicle. If a vehicle door or trunk is ajar, you should stop driving your vehicle to ensure all the doors are closed. If a high-temperature warning light has come on, you should pull over to avoid any damage to your car's engine due to overheating. An oil pressure warning light means the oil pressure has dropped below a safe level, and you should stop driving immediately. A brake warning light can be as small as a burned-out brake light bulb to low brake fluid to a total loss of stopping power.
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