Known as indicator lights, these symbols don’t require you to pull over or bring your car in for an inspection. Instead, they inform you of a particular feature or function being active and in use.

Many standard Toyota Safety Sense™ suite driver-assisting systems have indicator lights to alert you of their activation. They include:

• Automatic high beam indicator: When you activate the Automatic High Beams, this light will notify you on your dashboard. This symbol shows a D-shaped circle in front of five lines. Beneath this circle is the word “AUTO” to indicate the system is active.
• Dynamic radar cruise control indicator: If you press the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control button, its symbol will appear on the dashboard. It looks like the outline of a car above a gauge with an arrow pointing to it. To deactivate the system, just press the button again.
• LDA indicator: LDA stands for Lane Departure Alert. Its indicator light displays an outline of a car crossing over lane lines. If the light is green, it means that the system is on. If it flashes yellow, the system is actively operating.
• Smart key system indicator: The smart key indicator looks like a key with some waves above it. It tells you that a door was opened and closed while the car was turned on and the electronic key is not currently inside the vehicle.

If your Tacoma is equipped with available Multi-Terrain Select, it’ll display a symbol of a truck traveling over bumpy terrain to inform you that it’s being actively used. Along with these lights are classic symbols, such as the turn signal, headlight, and fog light indicators.

Additionally, if Comfort Mode is equipped, the dashboard will display a light with the word “COMFORT” in it. This mode is optimal for city driving as it softens the suspension to improve the steering.

Known as warning lights, these dashboard symbols indicate a potential issue with the Tacoma that needs to be addressed. The Tacoma has traditional symbols, such as the low fuel level warning light and the check engine light, but you might also notice:

• Malfunction indicator lamp: The symbol with an engine that says ‘CHECK’ is like a warning light on your car's dashboard. It's controlled by the computer system and turns on when it detects something wrong with the engine. This could be anything from a minor issue, like a loose gas cap, to a more severe situation, like worn spark plugs or even engine trouble.
• Tire pressure warning light: If you see a dashboard symbol of an exclamation point inside a horseshoe-like shape, there is likely a problem with the tire pressure of one or multiple tires. Pull over and adjust the tire inflation as needed. If this light stays on, contact a Toyota dealer near you.
• PCS warning light: Standing for the Pre-Collision System, the PCS warning light appears as an outline of a car above the word “OFF” and below a black star. If a buzzing noise accompanies the light, it indicates a malfunction of the Pre-Collision System that needs to be addressed immediately. If a buzzer is not sounding, the system is temporarily unavailable.
• Electric power steering system warning light: You might see a light with a steering wheel and an exclamation mark to the side. If your Toyota Tacoma is electric, this might indicate a problem with the electrical components needed to turn the wheel. If hydraulic, it's probably due to low power steering fluid.

If you notice any of the following symbols, it’s time to contact a Toyota technician.