You’re cruising the streets of Kansas City in your luxury car, when all of a sudden, a strange symbol pops up in your vehicle’s information display. Many drivers start getting nervous at this point, but there’s probably no need to panic just yet—Audi dash symbols pop up all the time, and often, it’s just an indicator that your car is functioning exactly how it should. 

However, it’s important to understand what your dash lights mean so you know what action to take, if any. Here, we’ll go through some of the most common and important dash lights so you can drive with confidence. 

Before we talk about specific Audi dash symbols, let’s talk about the color code, because the color of the light is an important indicator about how urgent it is. It’s also important to note whether the light is solid or flashing. 

Dashboard lights come in a variety of colors: 

• Green: This color means that the vehicle is functioning as it should, and usually only comes on when a specific function is currently being used. This includes commonly used features like turn signals, as well as driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control. 
• Blue or white: Blue is usually reserved for specific features like the high beam indicator. In certain models, a white light may mean that a feature is ready to use but not currently activated. 
• Yellow: A yellow light generally means that something may be malfunctioning. This could be a variety of things, from easy fixes like low tire pressure to more serious concerns like an underlying engine issue. A yellow light usually isn’t dangerous or dire when it first comes on, but it’s still important to have your vehicle inspected before the problem becomes worse. 
• Red: If you see a red light, it’s considered the most urgent issue that requires immediate action. Some red lights are as simple as a seatbelt indicator, but others may indicate a critical failure in an important system like the engine, wheels, or brakes. We recommend pulling the car over immediately and contacting roadside assistance to bring your car to your nearest Audi service center. 

Now that we’re on the same page about which colors to watch out for, here are ten common Audi dash light symbols and what they mean. 

• Exclamation mark (“!”) inside of a triangle: This is one of the most important lights to watch out for because it can mean there’s a serious system malfunction. If the light appears yellow, schedule an appointment with an Audi service center. If the light is red, stop the car immediately. 
• Exclamation mark (“!”) over the outline of a car: This yellow light usually means that there is an engine control malfunction, which may trigger the engine speed limitation. You should not drive the car over the speed displayed until the problem is fixed. If the light is red, it indicates a critical drive system malfunction, and the car should not be driven until the issue is fixed. 
• Oil can, or “genie lamp”: In certain Audi models, this symbol will appear white when certain Audi drive select modes are engaged, and this is completely normal. However, if the symbol appears yellow or red, it likely means that the oil temperature is too high, which can be caused by an increased engine load or excessively hot weather. Stop the car immediately to prevent major damage to the engine. 
• Gear with exclamation mark (“!”) in the middle: This symbol can mean a number of different things, but they all relate to the transmission and transmission selector malfunctioning. The symbol will usually be accompanied by a message that further diagnoses the issue, but no matter what, a visit to your local Audi dealership will likely be required. 
• Exclamation mark (“!”) surrounded by a circle and two curved lines, or “BRAKE”: This red symbol will briefly turn on and off when the vehicle starts. However, if the symbol doesn’t turn on, or stays on for more than a few seconds, there is an issue with the brake system, and the car is not safe to drive. It may be a simple fix like the brake pads, or it could be a deeper issue, so it’s recommended to have your car towed to an Audi service center before you resume driving. 
• Up and down arrows over the outline of a car: If your vehicle is equipped with air suspension, a yellow or red symbol with this shape indicates that there’s a malfunction in the system, which may require service. If the symbol is white, it usually means that the air suspension function is unavailable due to speed, and you should slow down to activate the system. 
• A sideways key with no additional symbols: If the symbol is only a yellow key, there may be a problem with the starting system, and this requires immediate attention at an Audi service center. However, if the key is accompanied by a question mark (“?”) it may simply mean that they key is not detected or the key fob battery has died. 
• Person sitting with circle in front (airbag): Most folks recognize the airbag light, but some of the finer details about it aren’t as well known. Normally, a yellow airbag light will automatically come on when the car is turned on, then the light will turn off after a few seconds, and this indicates regular function. However, if the light doesn’t come on at all, or if it stays on, there may be an issue with the safety systems, and you should go to an Audi service center immediately. 
• Child in seat with exclamation mark (“!”) above: This light is part of the passenger occupant detection system. If the light shows up white, the vehicle is reminding you to check the back seats for children or pets before leaving the car. If the symbol is yellow, it may mean that the system’s camera is blocked, or that there’s a general malfunction with the system. 
• Engine outline: This symbol can be either yellow or red and may be accompanied with text that says, “check engine.” This is typically one of the most dreaded lights because it could mean a number of potential issues with the engine or emissions system, but in some models, the issue could be as simple as a loose gas cap. Either way, it’s best to bring your car into an Audi service center for further diagnosis. 

If you have any of the above lights displaying in your Audi, or if you notice any other red or yellow lights that you don’t recognize, don’t delay. Bring your luxury car to our Audi service center in Kansas City to get a fast diagnosis by our factory-trained professionals.

Worried about paying for luxury car repairs? Fret not, because at Audi Kansas City, we offer service financing that allows you to get your car fixed today and pay as you go.

Schedule service online or call us at 816-573-3279 to get started today.