BMW Dash Lights Explained – Types & Meaning

So, a bunch of colorful symbols popped up on your BMW’s dashboard and you don’t know what they actually mean? Want to understand all of the BMW dash lights but don’t want to waste time on manuals? No worries – we’ve got you covered! If you are interested in a particular icon, check out our table of contents below.

Why Are BMW Lights on Dash While Driving?

Contrary to what it seems like, this is not a pointless question at all. To answer it shortly – BMW indicator lights appear on the dashboard to provide you with essential information about the current state of your vehicle. Some indicate active BMW components (e.g. fog or turning lights) and some are meant to inform about issues or malfunctions that require your attention. 

The coolant; seatbelts; even gearbox temperature – all of those are represented by specific BMW cluster lights and constitute an important part of the safety systems used in cars today. Let’s be honest – you would dive into the world of BMW light meanings sooner or later anyways. 

Why Do Dash Lights Go On Before Starting Ignition in BMW?

No worries - this is totally normal. Certain dashboard lights are actually meant to come on after the ignition, simply as a part of the pre-start check procedure. This is one of the very first diagnostics iDrive system features that you’ll encounter just right before starting the engine. 

Also called a “bulb check,” this procedure provides you with info covering the work of indicator lights, wiring connection, and sensors reading accuracy.  Any dashboard lights that don't light up during the pre-start are either related to the specific configuration of your BMW car model or tied to a malfunction of one of the elements stated above. 

After the ignition, some BMW models (e.g. E90) will additionally suggest you the closest upcoming date for a vehicle check-up. Depending on the setting, you might see different symbols ranging from full car service, through engine oil level up to brake pads state. 

Most of the dash lights are supposed to disappear after the ignition. But what if they don’t? What to do when different symbols remain present on your dashboard for a longer time? How do you tell them apart? First of all – by colors.

What Do the Colors of BMW Warning Lights Mean?

BMW models, including popular ones like the 3, X3 and 1 Series, are filled with multiple sensors. Therefore, a multitude of different warning lights might pop up on your dashboard during the ride. 

Obviously, flashing BMW warning lights are the ones that indicate a highly urgent issue that requires immediate action. On a daily basis however, on your BMW dashboard you will see colors such as green, orange, and red. So what do they mean, exactly – you may ask? 

Here is a short explanation:

• Red – potentially dangerous problem. Once any red light illuminates, it will require your immediate attention. Take no chances: stop driving as soon as it is safe to do so and inspect your car (or call roadside assistance service). 
• Orange / yellow – something is not working as it should. Orange typically indicates a less urgent issue, e.g., low fuel level or the need for vehicle service (like low oil pressure). Such problems might lead to serious malfunctions or further damage of vehicle components. We highly recommend checking the indicated issue as soon as it is possible. 
• Blue / green – the system is working correctly or it is currently in use. These colors indicate things like turned-on headlights, turn signals in use, or other useful info.

Pretty simple, right? Now, we can proceed to the signs themself and their exact meaning. Without further ado – here are some of the most common symbols on a BMW dashboard that you should know by heart.

BMW Instrument Cluster Symbols Explained

Some of them twinkle, some are followed by an exclamation mark… Regardless of their shape or form, each of them is meant to inform you about the current state of every important element of your BMW. Brakes, cooling system, tire pressure – each have a different symbol assigned. That’s why understanding the symbols on your BMW digital dash is an important aspect of being a responsible driver.

But what if you need to identify the issues quickly, without going back and forth with our article every single time you see a new icon on your dashboard? Well, you can always conduct a remote BMW error diagnostics with our experts. We’ll produce a full report of what needs to be taken care of in your car!

Want to see how it’s done? Check out our YouTube video! 

BMW Warning Dash Lights Meaning – The Serious Indicators

So, let’s get those BMW instrument cluster symbols explained, shall we? 

Here’s a list of the most important indicators you might see during your rides. Please note that the BMW dash warning lights below may slightly differ in appearance between specific models. If you are ever unsure about what a symbol means, refer to your BMW owner's manual or take the vehicle to a BMW dealership for assistance.

BMW Engine Management Light (EML) meaning

A yellow engine block with valves and pistons. This is one of the most important and, at the same time, common symbols that can light up on the dashboard. Engine Management Light (EML) is more of a general signal that something is wrong and can be triggered for a number of reasons. It’s sometimes also referred to as the ‘check engine’ light or ‘engine management’ light.

What are some of the more common issues that can cause this light to come on? Well, there can be a bunch of them. Here are the most common: 

• Low engine oil levels
• Engine timing belt malfunctions
• Oxygen sensor errors
• Malfunctioning catalytic converter
• A worn-out or malfunctioning spark plug

BMW check engine light meaning

A flashing “check engine” light is likely to indicate a misfire in the engine. However, in the majority of cases, the car will need to be connected to diagnostic equipment to determine exactly where the fault lies. If it flashes up – get your car checked or taken to a qualified garage that can investigate the issue. 

Engine temperature warning light

A red thermometer dunked in waves – this one indicates that the engine coolant is overheated. Stop and wait for the engine to cool down. A coolant tank symbol will appear if the system has determined that you’re low on fluid. 

If you let your engine overheat to the point that it fails, it will almost certainly be irreparable and will require considerable expense to replace. Beware though! Leave your engine off for at least 20 minutes before you attempt to top up with coolant. Otherwise, you’ll risk getting burned by the escaping steam or splashed by the gushing fluid. 

A blue thermometer dunked in waves indicates that your engine oil is too cold or simply not up to optimal efficiency. This shouldn’t concern you anywhere near as much as a red one. Drive steady and avoid pushing the engine too hard until the light goes out. On certain models of vehicles, this engine temperature light may be green.

Engine oil level/pressure warning lights

Among BMW warning dash lights you will also find a red oiler that indicates incorrect engine oil pressure or insufficient oil level. If you see an oil lamp dripping fluid, it means your levels are dangerously low and you should add more as soon as possible. Sometimes it is also followed by a “check oil” message which indicates that the engine oil is at the end of its life. 

One way or the other, do not continue your journey without addressing the issue and topping up the motor oil. Remember: regular checks of the engine oil level and adding it as needed are essential for maintaining the health of the engine.

BMW warning light meaning

There are several BMW warning lights related to your brakes. A circle with an exclamation point in the center typically illuminates when you pull the hand brake lever up. However, if it is continuously visible, or if this signal lights up in red, your brake fluid is too low. 

You can continue your journey, but moderate your speed and exercise caution. And have the system checked as soon as possible! If this lights up in yellow, your hilltop feature has failed. This means that the car will not be held in place after the brake is released.

Brake system warning light

The word “BRAKE” in red indicates a potentially serious problem with your brake system. If this light illuminates, you should take your vehicle to a service shop for a check-up as soon as possible. Some common causes of this light include low brake fluid levels, a problem with the brake pads, or malfunctioning brake system components. 

If the fluid is missing, your brake pads are worn off, or if there is a leak in the system, leaving this unchecked may lead to reduced braking performance and a decrease in the vehicle's ability to stop.

On BMW cars, if the brake system warning light is yellow it means that the hill assist function has failed. This safety feature stops the car from rolling back when you start the car on an incline, by automatically holding the footbrake when you first release the parking brake. So basically information similar to the one relayed by the symbol described above.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) warning light

A cross-section of a tire with an exclamation point inside indicates a problem with the tire pressure. Reduce your speed and carefully stop the vehicle. Avoid violent or sudden braking and steering maneuvers.

BMW tire pressure monitor will go off if it senses that your tires are low on air or overinflated. If it appears in yellow, your tires are low on pressure. A red light indicates a rapid deflation, meaning it’s time to change or repair a tire.

Do not ignore it. TPMS is an important safety feature since proper tire pressure is essential for maintaining the stability and handling of the vehicle. It also maximizes fuel efficiency and reduces wear on the tires. 

Do you want to be able to check the exact PSI info in your BMW every single time? Say no more! With our RDC Safety control unit, you can always keep tabs on your tire pressure with just a few clicks through your iDrive menu. Check out our YouTube video on how cool the RDC safety unit looks!

Charging system warning lights

A rectangular box with plus and minus signs signals a problem with your car's electrical system e.g., a discharged/faulty battery or a charging dynamo (alternator) malfunction. This can result in the vehicle not starting or even stalling during the ride. 

Whenever this light goes on, it might also mean that your BMW is running solely on battery power. If this light comes on when you're driving, the battery is not charging. This can occur due to several causes like bad electrical connection or damaged cabling. 

If the problem continues and your charging system fails, the battery won’t be able to recharge and it will soon die, leaving you with no power. If the battery lamp is on while the engine is running, contact the nearest repair shop. 

It is worth mentioning that the other possible reason for this message to pop up is a lack of proper coding after the replacement of the battery. Yes, you can definitely handle the replacement on your own, however, it can be quite tricky at some point. That is why, here is our in-depth guide, covering the BMW battery registration and reset procedure. 

No time for guides and a DIY approach? No worries! If you’re not a tech-savvy person, let us do the work for you. Our specialists will help you register a new battery and code it safely in less than 30 minutes – all from the comfort of your home.

BMW Light Symbol Meaning – The Common Indicators

Parking brake

The encircled letter “P” or “PARK” sign means that the system is either engaged or damaged. When the gear is switched to “park” (in automatic vehicles), it is recommended that you pull the handbrake and change the gear to the “neutral” position. Next, pull the handbrake and switch it to ”park” to take the load off the transmission.

Seatbelt reminder

The next one is a person wearing a seatbelt or a group of people sitting close to one another. If this light illuminates, it means someone needs to fasten their seatbelt. If you see a seated figure that’s wearing a seatbelt, either the driver or the front passenger needs to be secured. 

If you see a seated passenger with no seatbelt, it means that someone in the rear is missing their belt. The seat belt reminder can also be triggered if there are heavy objects in the front passenger seat. 

And what if the warning light icon of the passenger is viewed from the side? Well, is there also a red circle directly in front of them? This indicates an issue with your airbags or with your seatbelt pretensioners.

Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)

An icon of a car with visible tire tracks means that the Dynamic Traction Control system is activated. This light should be on whether your Dynamic Stability Control feature is currently active or not. If it’s off, you’ll see the word “OFF” beneath the symbol. The system guarantees maximum forward traction with simultaneously limited driving stability for special road conditions, e.g., snow-covered roads.

Traction Control or ESP

An exclamation mark within a triangle encircled by an arrow illuminates when the car is in traction control/anti-slip or when an electronic stability system is in use. This should inform you that the conditions are slippery. Traction Control or ESP malfunction indicates a problem with the vehicle traction control/anti-skid or electronic stability system.

Anti Braking System light (ABS)

Encircled “ABS” letters signal low brake fluid levels. ABS needs brake fluid to regulate brake line pressure. If you see the letters “ABS,” your Brake Assist feature may be malfunctioning, so avoid abrupt braking if possible. Prepare yourself for a longer braking distance. 

If the light is on constantly, ABS is inactive due to a malfunction. If you see your ABS and brake light on at the same time, it is most likely that you have a low fluid level resulting from a leak. In this case, it’s best to have a check performed in a specialist workshop. 

BMW Service Light Meaning – The Routine Indicators

Worn-out brake pads

An amber circle ringed by broken parentheses-like shapes indicates worn-out brakes in your BMW. It’s time to schedule service and get them replaced. It may also mean that the brake lining sensor hasn’t been changed, but only in vehicles with brake lining sensors.

Low on fuel – requires refueling

A refueling station with a hose – this symbol on your dashboard indicates a low level of fuel. You should visit the nearest gas station and refill the tank.

Low washer jet fluid – requires refilling

A windscreen wiper and a washer jet fountain – this symbol indicates a low level of washer jet fluid. You should refill it as soon as possible.

Service light

A car boxed in with the word “SERVICE” near it warns you that you’re either due (yellow) or past-due (red) for a BMW service. The light suggests when it’s time for regular maintenance strictly based on the number of miles and amount of time since the last scheduled service was performed. 

Inspection light

A car on a hydraulic crane – sadly (or fortunately, depending on who you ask), it doesn’t mean that your car suddenly turned into a lowrider. This symbol indicates that there is some problem with the car such as a leak in the brake oil, a problem with the engine belt, or a microprocessor chip not functioning well. To sum it up: when the car requires system maintenance and service.

Differences in Dash Lights in Certain BMW Models – Examples

It's important to note that each BMW model can have slightly different warning lights. The meaning of each can even vary between specific versions and generations of BMW. That is why it's always a good idea to consult the owner's manual for the specific car.  

Here's a brief overview of the dashboard lights in some popular BMW models:

• BMW X3 dash lights – the 2006 BMW X3 models are equipped with a range of standard dashboard warning lights. The later 2011 BMW X3 versions have been supplemented with additional indicators, like the brake pad wear and tire pressure monitoring system lights. 
• BMW E46 lights on dash have all of the standard warnings, including the check engine light, brake warning light, and battery warning light. The E46 also has a temperature warning light that indicates when the engine is overheating. It’s worth mentioning that in the M3 model of E46 you’ll find additional indicator lights.
• BMW E90 dash lights include a similar range of signs as mentioned above for the E46 models. However, they were joined by a tire pressure monitoring system light. 
• BMW F30 dash warning lights include a range of warning lights, including the check engine light, brake warning light, battery warning light, and temperature warning light. The BMW F30 was supplemented with tire pressure monitoring system light just like the E90s.

How Do You Turn off BMW Dash Lights?

Some say that the simplest solutions are the best ones, so just restart the engine! This is probably the most intuitive way of turning the BMW dash lights off. Jokes aside, there are better ways to solve this. Here are a few options you can try if you really need to get rid of the indicator lights from your BMW dashboard. 

First of all – try to establish whether the system is right or wrong about the problem. All you need to do this is a coding cable and a remote session with a BimmerTech technician. It’s that simple! Check out one of our easy iDrive coding solutions - the “Error diagnostics” option to get a full report on your BMW iDrive system.

Indicators still present on your cluster? You can always try resetting the whole system. “How can I do it?” – you might ask. Here goes the answer. Follow these five simple steps described below until all relevant warning lights have been successfully reset:

1. Turn on the vehicle's electrical system but do not start the engine. Some models require pushing the ignition button three times in a row, while others only require it once. You can find the specific instructions in your owner's manual. 
2. Next, find the odometer button. In most BMW models it is located near the bottom left corner of the instrument panel. Press and hold it until the service message appears. 
3. Release the odometer button and press the button to cycle through the menu until you reach the warning light you want to reset. Press and hold it again until the message says "Reset?", and then release it once more. 
4. Now, press and hold the button again while the message says "Reset in Progress," until the message says "Reset Successful." 
5. Finally, turn off the car and start it to confirm that the light was successfully reset.

Please keep in mind that resetting your BMW dashboard warning lights, such as the brake fluid light or oil service light, might differ depending on each BMW model and its version. If you are not sure if you want to go through this process alone – BimmerTech is here to help! Our error message removal will permanently remove trivial error messages from your BMW screens.

Summary

There's no big mystery here. BMW dashboard lights exist, because they are important elements to your car safety. Red lights are crucial and demand immediate attention. The yellow ones will mostly inform you about routine actions that need to be taken. Finally, blue and green lights will only provide practical info (e.g. fog lights on) – and that’s it! 

Sure, the younger model you drive, the broader spectrum of sensors and indicators you’ll possibly encounter, however you should always pay attention to your BMW dash lights. In the end, it all boils down to really knowing your car and paying attention to it. After all, forewarned is forearmed, right?