Volvo XC40 Complete Warning Light Guide

The Volvo XC40 SUV was released in late 2017. If you have fault lights on your Volvo XC40 dashboard, here you will find all warning lights and symbols explained. This dashboard warning light guide includes all model variants of the Volvo XC40.

Warning Symbols in the Instrument Panel

The Volvo XC40 warning symbols alert the driver that a function has been activated, that a system is running, or that a fault or error may have occurred. In general, more serious faults and alerts are displayed as a red warning light.

The Volvo XC40 dashboard warning lights are explained below and will have the appropriate action to take based on the manufacturers recommendation.

Symbol	Description / Urgency	What to Do
	The Volvo XC40 information symbol illuminates along with a message in the instrument panel. This symbol comes on when the vehicle's system requires the driver's attention. The information symbol may illuminate along with other warning lights.	Read the message in the instrument panel as soon as possible.
	The exclamation mark / point within a circle indicates a problem with the parking brake. Depending on your location, the red BRAKE symbol may display. A low battery charge may be the possible cause of the parking brakes being unable to apply or release. Connect an auxiliary battery to the vehicle to enable the brakes to release if necessary. Urgency: Medium / High	If the vehicle must be driven without the parking brake being fixed, ensure you park and turn the wheels to the kerb / curb and select P on the gear selector. The red symbol illuminating is a possible indication that the brake fluid is too low. Have brakes checked immediately. Low brake fluid may result in ineffective braking.
	The Volvo XC40 ABS warning light (anti-lock braking system) usually comes on in amber. ABS stops the wheels from locking whilst braking heavily and/or when braking on a slippery road surface. Symbol letters ABS may display depending on your vehicle.	Normal brakes will continue to function but without the safety of ABS. There is a risk of locking wheels when braking. Have ABS checked as soon as possible and avoid heavy braking where possible.
	The 'A' symbol represent the Volvo XC40 auto-hold brakes. This system allows the driver to release the brake pedal when stopped at for example a traffic light. This function uses either normal brakes or parking brakes and is automatically applied when the driver stops. If normal brakes are being used, the 'A' symbol is displayed.	Auto-hold brakes may also use parking brakes. In this instance, the park symbol or the PARK text will be displayed depending on your vehicle model.

	The Volvo XC40 tyre / tire pressure system will illuminate this symbol in two instances: Urgency: Medium	Steady light: This warns that one or more of the vehicle tyres has lost significant pressure. Stop as soon as safely possible, check tyres and if necessary change wheel. Flashing light: This symbol flashes for approx. one minute then stays on steady to indicate that the tyre pressure system has a fault. Further information: For further information on the Volvo XC40 tyre pressures and monitoring system, see: • Volvo XC40 Tyre Pressure Calibration / Reset • Volvo XC40 Tyre Pressures Guide
	The emissions control system monitors toxic exhaust emissions. This warning light on the Volvo XC40, often referred to as the 'check engine' light is an indication that a fault has occurred in the emissions control system. Urgency: Medium	This fault usually isn't urgent if dealt with soon. You may notice an increase in fuel usage. If the warning light is flashing or you notice an uneven misfiring engine, seek urgent assistance. There is the potential for catalytic converter damage.
	The Volvo XC40 Active Bending Lights (ABL) provide maximum illumination when driving around bends and at junctions. If your Volvo is equipped with ABL, this system enables the headlights to follow the movement of the steering wheel. Urgency: Low	ABL automatically activates when the engine is started. If a fault is detected in the system, this symbol will illuminate in the dashboard and a message will be displayed.
	The Volvo XC40 Electronic Stability Control (ESC) helps the driver to avoid skidding and improves traction when accelerating. ESC is activated each time the engine is started. ESC consists of: • Stability control • Spin control and active yaw control (traction control) • Engine drag control • Trailer Stability Assist ESC cannot be fully disabled, but when sport mode is activated, ESC intervenes less that usual allowing the driver a little more flexibility in their driving. When sport mode is activated, the ESC OFF light will illuminate Urgency: Medium	Flashing: This Electronic Stability Control symbol flashes when the system intervenes and attempts to stabilise the vehicle. Steady light: This indicates there's a fault with the ESC program and vehicle stability may be reduced.

Lighting Symbols

These are the Volvo XC40 dashboard warning lights associated with lighting.

	This symbol illuminate when the parking lights are on.		This symbol illuminates in blue when manual operation of the full / main beams are on.
	This dashboard symbol comes on in blue when Active High Beams are on.		This dashboard symbol comes on in white when Active High Beams are switched off.
	This dashboard symbol comes on in blue when Active High Beams and parking lights are on.		This dashboard symbol comes on in white when Active High Beams are off and parking lights are on.
	This symbol illuminates when the front fog lights are switched on.		This symbol illuminates when the rear fog lights are switched on.

	The Volvo XC40 preconditioning allows the cabin compartment to be heated or cooled prior to driving. Preconditioning also warms the engine block.	This is the preconditioning symbol that illuminates when the engine block / passenger compartment heater or air conditioning are preconditioning the vehicle.
	The Volvo XC40 Lane Keeping Aid helps to actively steer the vehicle on roads where the driver might unintentionally exit their lane. The Lane Keeping Aid steers the vehicle back into the lane and/or alerts the driver using vibrations in the steering wheel. The system is active at speeds between 40-125 mph (65-200 km/h) and on roads with clearly visible traffic lane marker lines. When the driver activates the indicators, Lane Keeping Aid does not provide any warning or intervene with steering. White symbol: Lane Keeping Aid is on and lane marker lines are detected. Gray symbol: Lane Keeping Aid is on but no lane marker lines are detected. Amber symbol: Lane Keeping Aid is alerting/intervening. Urgency: Medium There are certain conditions where Lane Keeping Aid may not correctly function. In these situations, it's advised to disable this system. There are:	• road works where line markings may be covered • winter driving conditions - ice / snow • poor road surfaces where line markings may not be visible • a very sporty driving style • bad weather with reduced visibility • roads with indistinct or no lane markings • sharp edges or lines other than the lane's side markings • when the power steering works at reduced power usually due to cooling due to overheating. The system works using a camera mounted in the center upper of the windscreen. As with the human eye, if the camera can't see correctly, it will not function as efficiently. Keep this section of the windscreen clean.
	This warning light illuminates when the Volvo XC40 rain sensor is on.
	This warning light comes on when Lane Keeping Aid is on and the rain sensor.	White symbol: Lane Keeping Aid is on and lane marker lines are detected. The rain sensor is on. Gray symbol: Lane Keeping Aid is on but no lane marker lines are detected. The rain sensor is on.

Red Warning Lights

These red warning symbols alert the driver that an important function is activated or that a serious fault or error has occurred.

	The Volvo XC40 red warning triangle that contains an exclamation mark / point indicates that a fault has been detected that may affect the safety of vehicle occupants and/or may cause harm to the vehicle.	This is a generic warning light. A message in the dashboard panel will accompany this symbol. This light may accompany other warning symbols.
	The airbag warning light on the Volvo XC40 comes on for a short time only when the engine has started. If the light stays on or comes on as you're driving, a fault has been detected. Urgency: Medium	With the airbag light on, it's possible that the airbags will not deploy in the event of an accident. Have system serviced as soon as possible.
	The red exclamation mark / point or BRAKE warning light are an indication that brake fluid levels are low. Vehicle braking stopping performance may be seriously reduced. Urgency: High	Check brake fluid levels and add Volvo approved brake fluid if required. Check that warning light has gone out. If warning light stays on, avoid driving the vehicle and speak to a Volvo qualified engineer.
	The Volvo XC40 oil warning light is an indication of low oil level or low oil pressure. If this light comes on when driving, stop as soon as safe to do so. Urgency: High / Critical	Using the engine dip stick, check oil levels. Add Volvo approved oil if required. If the light remains on, do not continue your journey. This is an indication that the oil pressure is low and a fault has occurred with the engine lubrication system. Significant engine damage may occur. Switch off the engine and contact a Volvo qualified engineer.
	The Volvo XC40 battery warning light coming when driving is an indication that the electrical charging system may have malfunctioned. The engine potentially may stop shortly. Urgency: High To prolong the running of the engine:	Switch off any non-essential electrical systems and make your way immediately to a repair garage. If you do stop, check battery terminals and alternator / generator belt is intact and not lose.
	City Safety warns the driver if there is a risk of a collision with another vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist or large animal. City Safety will alert the driver with a dashboard warning light, a sound and pulsations in the brake pedal. Urgency: High	If there is an imminent risk of collision, the City Safety system will automatically apply the brakes to either prevent a collision or to lower the vehicle speed at the point of collision.
	This warning light illuminates steadily on the Volvo XC40 dashboard to indicate the parking brake is applied. Urgency: Medium	If this symbol flashes, it indicates a fault has occurred with the parking brake. This may be due to the brake sticking or the vehicle battery is low on power. Try applying the parking brake several times to see if this releases it.