There’s an app for that…

APPLE iPhone users may soon be able to ‘translate’ the growing number of instrument cluster warning lights found in modern vehicles thanks to improvements scheduled to Visual Look Up technology that will arrive as part of the next iOS 17 software update.

Offering the potential to save on costly repairs, the feature identifies the illuminated symbol and offers web-sourced information on what it means.

According to 9to5mac, the auto symbols feature can recognise a wide array of warning lights as well as commonly used symbols for climate control, headlight options, defrosting and more.

The technology will be accessible via a steering wheel icon within the Photos app tool bar and is already under assessment as part of iOS 17 development beta testing. It also offers the ability to “identify multiple symbols and icons in the same picture” in the event your instrument panel is lit up like the proverbial Christmas Tree.

It is understood the technology will be particularly useful to those unfamiliar with the increasingly complexity and number of warning lights found in modern vehicles and those jumping into new or rental vehicle for the first time.

The technology has to ability to advise users whether a warning light is critical (such as an oil pressure indicator), potentially cutting repair costs, or simply advisory (such as a windshield washer reservoir low level indicator).

For Android users, similar assistance is available via the Google Lens function (also available to iOS users). This application can identify objects in an image or live feed and offer web-sourced information as to what it may entail.

Android also offers a Dashboard Warning Lights app that provides similar levels of information; and while the app does not identify instrument panels independently, it does present images and explanations of standard vehicular symbols to allow an operator to understand what they’re seeing.

Of course, if all else fails – or you don’t have a smartphone – your vehicle’s owner’s manual is a trusty backstop.

A quick look through the glovebox guide will offer explanations of a vehicle’s features and warning lights and provide information as to whether their presence means you should visit the service department right away, or if it is something you can manage by yourself.

As a general rule of thumb, instrument warning lights are best thought of in the same sense as a traffic light.

A red symbol is usually critical and means you should safely stop the car and seek assistance; a yellow symbol warns that a vehicle’s system is not functioning correctly, but that the vehicle may still be operated until assistance can be sought; while green or blue symbols mean a vehicle system is current in use (think headlights, indicators, safety systems, etc.).

If you’re in doubt as to the meaning of a warning light in your vehicle – and none of the information above is helpful – it is best to contact your service department or mechanic as soon as possible.