BMW Warning Lights and Meanings
Complete guide to BMW dashboard warning lights and symbols. Learn what each indicator means and what action you should take when they illuminate.
Understanding BMW Dashboard Warning Lights
BMW vehicles are equipped with an advanced diagnostic system that monitors various components and systems. When an issue is detected, a corresponding warning light will illuminate on your dashboard.
These warning lights are color-coded to indicate the severity of the issue:
- Red: Indicates a serious issue that requires immediate attention. You should stop driving as soon as it's safe to do so.
- Amber/Yellow: Suggests a less urgent problem that should be checked soon, but doesn't require immediate action.
- Green: Usually informational, indicating that a system is active or functioning normally.
- Blue: Usually informational, indicating features like high beam headlights or coolant temperature.
- White: Usually informational, indicating that certain systems or features are currently active.
Below you'll find a comprehensive list of warning lights that may appear on your BMW vehicle's dashboard.
BMW Warning Light Categories
Critical Warning Lights
These red warning lights indicate serious issues that require immediate attention.
Service Warning Lights
These amber/yellow lights suggest issues that need attention soon but aren't immediately critical.
Information Indicators (Green)
These green lights simply inform you that certain systems are active.
Information Indicators (Blue)
These blue lights indicate that certain features or systems are enabled.
Critical Warning Lights
Active Cruise Control With Stop&Go Function
Indicator light flashes and an acoustic signal sounds: braking and evading.
Airbag System
Airbag system and belt tensioner may not be working. Have the vehicle checked immediately by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Approach Control Warning Light
The indicator light is illuminated: pre-warning. Brake and increase distance.
Brake System
Braking system impaired. Continue to drive moderately. Have the vehicle checked immediately by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Brake System
Braking system impaired. Continue to drive moderately. Have the vehicle checked immediately by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Check Control
This warning light alerts you to any malfunctions in the system. It is monitoring if a malfunction should occur with your vehicle. A warning lamp may appear along with a corresponding check control symbol in the center of the instrument cluster.
Drive Power
Reduced drive power due to an overheated drivetrain.
Intersection Collision Warning
Indicator light is illuminated: risk of collision with vehicle without detectable driving direction or prewarning for vehicles that cross own driving direction. Intervene yourself, for instance by braking.
Intersection Collision Warning
The indicator light is illuminated: risk of collision with crossing vehicle.
Night Vision With Animal Detection
An infrared camera scans the area in front of the vehicle and issues a warning if it detects pedestrians and animals on the street.
Night Vision With Pedestrian Detection
An infrared camera scans the area in front of the vehicle and issues a warning if it detects pedestrians and animals on the street.
Parking Brake
The parking brake is set.
Pedestrian Warning Light
Indicator light flashes and an acoustic signal sounds: imminent collision with a detected person or a cyclist. Intervene immediately by braking or make an evasive maneuver.
Safety Belt Reminder For Rear Seats
The safety belt is not buckled on the corresponding rear seat.
Safety Belt Reminder
Indicator light flashes or is illuminated: Safety belt on the driver or passenger side is not buckled. The safety belt reminder can also be activated if objects are placed on the front passenger seat. Make sure that the safety belts are positioned correctly.
Steering Assistant
Indicator light flashes and an acoustic signal sounds: the system will be switched off.
Car On Lift Warning Light
● The starter has failed or the ignition has malfunctioned. ● The lighting system has failed. Low beams/tail lights and brake lights are still operational but other lights failed. Have the system in question checked immediately. The engine cannot be restarted. Depress the brake to restart the engine.
Service Warning Lights
Active Cruise Control
The number bars shows the selected distance from the vehicle driving ahead.
Anti-lock Braking System
The Brake Assistant function may not activate. Avoid abrupt braking. Take the longer braking distance into account. Have the system immediately checked by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Anti-lock Braking System
The Brake Assistant function may not activate. Avoid abrupt braking. Take the longer braking distance into account. Have the system immediately checked by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Car On Lift Warning Light
The brake light control failed or the fuel supply is malfunctioning. You can continue your journey, but moderate your speed and exercise due caution. The transmission limp home program with reduced acceleration is active. Have the system checked immediately.
Dynamic Stability Control OFF Light
DSC is deactivated or DTC is activated.
Dynamic Stability Control
If the indicator lamp flashes: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) or Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) is regulating the drive and braking forces. If the indicator lamps are on: DSC or DTC is deactivated.
Dynamic Stability Control Light
The indicator light flashes: DSC controls the drive and braking forces. The vehicle is stabilized. Reduce speed and modify your driving style to the driving circumstances. The indicator light lights up: DSC has malfunctioned. Have the system immediately checked by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Emissions
The warning light lights up: Emissions are deteriorating. Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible.
External Temperature Warning Light
The engine refuses to start. Depress the brake or clutch to start the engine.
Lane Departure Warning
System is switched on and under certain circumstances warns if a detected lane is left without flashing beforehand.
Low Coolant Light
This warning light alerts you that the coolant level is too low or there is an issue with the cooling system.
Windshield Wiper Fluid
The windshield wiper fluid level is low. Top it off.
Steering Assistant
The indicator light lights up and an acoustic signal may sound: a system interruption is imminent.
Steering System
Steering system may not be working. Have the system checked by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Tire Pressure Monitor
The indicator light lights up: the Tire Pressure Monitor reports a low tire inflation pressure or a flat tire. Follow the information in the Check Control message. The indicator light flashes and then continuously lights up: no flat tire or loss of tire inflation pressure can be detected. ▷ Interference caused by systems or devices with the same radio frequency: after leaving the area of the interference, the system automatically becomes active again. ▷ A wheel without TPM wheel electronics is mounted: have it checked by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop as needed. ▷ Malfunction: have the system checked by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Transmission Light
This warning light alerts you to any malfunctions in the transmission system.
Vehicle Detection, Active Cruise Control
Indicator lamp illuminates: a vehicle has been detected ahead of you.
Flat Tire Monitor
The Flat Tire Monitor signals a loss of tire inflation pressure in a tire. Reduce your speed and stop cautiously. Avoid sudden braking and steering maneuvers.
Information Indicators (Green)
Active Cruise Control With Stop&Go Function
The indicator light lights up: the system is switched on.
Automatic Hold
Automatic Hold is activated. The vehicle is automatically held in place when it is stationary.
Cruise Control
Indicator light is illuminated: the system is active.
Extended Traffic Jam Assistant
Indicator light is illuminated: the system is active.
Front Fog Lights
Front fog lights are switched on.
High-Beam Assistant
High-beam Assistant is switched on. High beams are switched on and off automatically depending on the traffic situation.
Lane Change Assistant
Arrow symbol for lane change gray: lane change not possible; functional requirements not met.
Lane Change Assistant
Arrow symbol for lane change green: the system carries out a lane change.
Lane Change Assistant
Gray line for lane marking on the appropriate side: the system detected a lane change request. Lane change is not currently possible.
Lane Departure Warning
The indicator light lights up: the system is activated. A lane marking was detected on at least one side of the vehicle and warnings can be issued.
Low Beams
Low beams are switched on.
Manual Speed Limiter
The indicator light lights up: the system is switched on. The indicator light flashes: the set speed limit has been exceeded.
Parking Lights
Parking lights are switched on.
Safety Belt Reminder For Rear Seats
The safety belt is buckled on the corresponding rear seat.
Speed Limit Assistant
Indicator light illuminates: the detected speed limit can be applied with the SET button. As soon as the speed limit has been applied, a green checkmark is displayed.
Speed Limit Assistant
Depending on the equipment, the indicator light illuminates together with the icon for a cruise control system: Speed Limit Assistant is active, and detected speed limits can be applied manually for the displayed system.
Steering Assistant
Indicator light lights up: the system supports the driver in keeping the vehicle within the lane.
Turn Signal
Turn signal switched on. Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator light indicates that a turn signal bulb has failed.
Information Indicators (Blue)
Drive Power
Reduced drive power due to a cold drivetrain.
High Beams
High beams are switched on.