When you’re behind the wheel of a sleek and robust BMW 3 Series sedan, you will feel the powerful engineering at work as you tear down streets and highways.
As you zip around bends and accelerate down open stretches of Meridian, Philadelphia, and Laurel, Mississippi, you’ll want to know what the information lighting up your instrument cluster means. If one of these illuminates, then knowing what it means will make your drive safer.
The team at BMW of Meridian has created this guide to help drivers understand the dashboard lights found in their 3 Series sedans. Read on to learn more about what they’re telling you while out on the road, then schedule a service appointment today.
About Dashboard Lights
Drivers have grown accustomed to a variety of lights on their dashboards. These are used to alert the driver to different warnings, settings, and statuses in their vehicle. Common lights include the check engine light, fog lamp indicator, seat belt warning, and low fuel indicator.
BMW 3 Series Red Dashboard Lights
Person with safety belt across chest/waist: The seat belt for the driver or a passenger in the front seat or back seat is not secured. Be sure to buckle up!
Person buckled in, side view, red circle to left: The airbag system and belt tensioner may not be operating as intended. If this lights up, seek out a service technician right away.
((P)) with PARK above: The parking brake is engaged or there is a problem with this system.
((!)): The handbrake system is engaged or there is a problem with this system
BRAKE: The brake system is damaged. Seek out a technician right away.
3 Series Yellow Dashboard Lights
((ABS)): The Brake Assistant function of the anti-lock braking system is malfunctioning. Take extra distance to brake and avoid aggressive braking.
ABS: Have your vehicle’s brake system inspected by a service technician.
Car with swerving trail, “OFF” underneath: The DSC is off or Dynamic Traction Control is active. When steadily lit, the DSC is not performing properly. Visit a service technician.
(!) with notches underneath: The Tire Pressure Monitor System senses loss of pressure in one of your tires.
If it flashes and then stays steady, the Flat Tire Monitor has malfunctioned.
Steering wheel with !: Steering system may not be working properly. Seek a technician.
Engine outline: When lit, emissions are declining, so visit a service center soon. When flashing, the engine may be misfiring repeatedly. Reduce speed and seek out service right away.
2021 BMW 3 Series Green Dashboard Lights
Person with a seat belt across: Reminder to fasten your seatbelt.
Left- or right-facing arrows: Turn signal indicators blink when active. Rapid flashes mean a bulb has burned out.
Opposing capital Ds with lines out of either side: The tail lights are on.
Car diagonally in a traffic lane: The Lane Departure Warning system is engaged.
Headlamp indicator with a vertical squiggle through lines: The front fog lights are turned on.
Headlamp indicator with “A” through it: The automatic High Beam Assistant is turned on.
BMW 3 Series Blue Dashboard Lights
Horizontal lines with capital D: The high beams are turned on.
Visit Our Service Department!
With the knowledge from this BMW 3 Series dashboard light guide, you can be confident during your next drive around Meridian, Philadelphia, and Laurel, MS. If you see a light that means you need service, contact the professionals at BMW of Meridian!
