BMW Warning Lights and Meanings (FULL List, FREE Download)

Have got a warning light on your BMW dashboard and are not sure what the problem might be?

If yes, you’re in the right place.

In this post, I’ll show you all the BMW dashboard lights and their meaning. There is also a list of all lights in an image and a PDF E-book for you to Download for FREE.

Let’s get started!

BMW Warning Lights/Indicators and Meanings

Click the symbols for details if you want.

Car On Lift Warning Light

(19 views)

● 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.

Brake System

(17 views)

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.

Airbag System

(15 views)

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.

Night Vision With Animal Detection

(8 views)

An infrared camera scans the area in front of the vehicle and issues a warning if it detects pedestrians and animals on the street.

The indicator light is illuminated: prewarning. Brake and make an evasive maneuver, if necessary.

Indicator light flashes and an acoustic signal sounds: acute warning. Immediate braking or evading maneuver.

Parking Brake

(7 views)

The parking brake is set.

Active Cruise Control With Stop&Go Function

(7 views)

Indicator light flashes and an acoustic signal sounds: braking and evading.

Safety Belt Reminder

(6 views)

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.

Safety Belt Reminder For Rear Seats

(6 views)

The safety belt is not buckled on the corresponding rear seat.

Brake System

(4 views)

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.

Night Vision With Pedestrian Detection

(4 views)

An infrared camera scans the area in front of the vehicle and issues a warning if it detects pedestrians and animals on the street.

The indicator light is illuminated: prewarning. Brake and make an evasive maneuver, if necessary.

Indicator light flashes and an acoustic signal sounds: acute warning. Immediate braking or evading maneuver.

Drive Power

(4 views)

Reduced drive power due to an overheated drivetrain.

Approach Control Warning Light

(3 views)

The indicator light is illuminated: pre-warning. Brake and increase distance.

Indicator light flashes and an acoustic signal sounds: acute warning. Brake and make an evasive maneuver, if necessary.

Check Control

(3 views)

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.

Intersection Collision Warning

(2 views)

The indicator light is illuminated: risk of collision with crossing vehicle.

Intersection Collision Warning

(2 views)

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.

Indicator light flashes and an acoustic signal sounds: acute warning when vehicles cross own driving direction.
Brake and make an evasive maneuver, if necessary.

Steering Assistant

(2 views)

Indicator light flashes and an acoustic signal sounds: the system will be switched off.

Pedestrian Warning Light

(1 view)

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.

Low Coolant Light

(52 views)

This warning light alerts you that the coolant level is too low or there is an issue with the cooling system.

Car On Lift Warning Light

(33 views)

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

(25 views)

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.

Transmission Light

(24 views)

This warning light alerts you to any malfunctions in the transmission system.

Emissions

(20 views)

The warning light lights up: Emissions are deteriorating. Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible.

The warning light flashes under certain circumstances:
This indicates that there is excessive misfiring in the engine. Reduce the vehicle speed and have the system checked immediately; otherwise, serious engine misfiring within a brief period can seriously damage emission control components, in particular the catalytic converter.

Anti-lock Braking System

(11 views)

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.

Windshield Wiper Fluid

(10 views)

The windshield wiper fluid level is low. Top it off.

Anti-lock Braking System

(7 views)

Tire Pressure Monitor

(7 views)

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.

Steering System

(6 views)

Steering system may not be working.
Have the system checked by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.

Dynamic Stability Control OFF Light

(4 views)

DSC is deactivated or DTC is activated.

Active Cruise Control

(3 views)

The number bars shows the selected distance from the vehicle driving ahead.

Flat Tire Monitor

(3 views)

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.

Lane Departure Warning

(3 views)

System is switched on and under certain circumstances warns if a detected lane is left without flashing beforehand.

Dynamic Stability Control Light

(2 views)

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.

External Temperature Warning Light

(2 views)

The engine refuses to start. Depress the brake or clutch to start the engine.

Vehicle Detection, Active Cruise Control

(1 view)

Indicator lamp illuminates: a vehicle has been detected ahead of you.

Indicator lamp flashes: the conditions are not adequate for the system to work.

The system was deactivated but applies the brakes until you actively resume control by pressing on the brake pedal or accelerator pedal.

Steering Assistant

(1 view)

The indicator light lights up and an acoustic signal may sound: a system interruption is imminent.

The indicator warning light flashes: lane marking driven over.

Cruise Control

(13 views)

Indicator light is illuminated: the system is active.

Safety Belt Reminder For Rear Seats

(9 views)

The safety belt is buckled on the corresponding rear seat.

Automatic Hold

(5 views)

Automatic Hold is activated. The vehicle is automatically held in place when it is stationary.

Low Beams

(3 views)

Low beams are switched on.

Lane Departure Warning

(3 views)

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.

High-Beam Assistant

(3 views)

High-beam Assistant is switched on.
High beams are switched on and off automatically depending on the traffic situation.

Speed Limit Assistant

(3 views)

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.

Turn Signal

(2 views)

Turn signal switched on.
Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator light indicates that a turn signal bulb has failed.

Front Fog Lights

(2 views)

Front fog lights are switched on.

Parking Lights

(1 view)

Parking lights are switched on.

Manual Speed Limiter

(1 view)

The indicator light lights up: the system is switched on.
The indicator light flashes: the set speed limit has been exceeded.

Active Cruise Control With Stop&Go Function

(1 view)

The indicator light lights up: the system is switched on.

Steering Assistant

(1 view)

Indicator light lights up: the system supports the driver in keeping the vehicle within the lane.

Lane Change Assistant

(1 view)

Gray line for lane marking on the appropriate side: the system detected a lane change request. Lane change is not currently possible.

Speed Limit Assistant

(0 view)

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.

Lane Change Assistant

(0 view)

Arrow symbol for lane change green: the system carries out a lane change.

Lane Change Assistant

(0 view)

Arrow symbol for lane change gray: lane change not possible; functional requirements not met.

Extended Traffic Jam Assistant

(0 view)

Indicator light is illuminated: the system is active.

Extended Traffic Jam Assistant

(0 view)

Indicator light is illuminated: the system is ready.

Active Cruise Control With Stop&Go Function

(2 views)

Indicator light is illuminated: the system is interrupted.
Indicator light flashes: the conditions are not adequate for the system to work or the system has been deactivated.