A car’s dashboard is a veritable lexicon of symbols, designed to be universally comprehensible across language barriers. These indicators and warnings, while clear in their intent, can sometimes leave drivers scratching their heads due to the absence of explanatory text.
One such icon, likened to the shape of a boat, has left some motorists perplexed about its significance—a matter not to be taken lightly as it pertains to the well-being of the car’s engine. On X, a user sought clarity on this mysterious symbol, prompting a mix of humorous and useful replies.
The query was simple: “What does this light mean? ” This sparked a variety of responses when LADbible reported that one user retweeted with a quip: “Looks like a boat. Probably smooth sailing or something.” Others joined in jest, with one saying: “That’s the ‘pirates approaching’ warning. better start paddling.”
Yet another provided a more informative, albeit incorrect, answer: “It means your car’s engine hasn’t warmed up to the normal temperature,” reports the Express. They added: “When it does, that light will turn off. I only know this because I had to look it up for a rental car about two months ago.”
The icon can flash up on dashboards
(Image: (Image: Getty))
In reality, the symbol in question is the engine cooling warning light, depicting a thermometer with wavy lines beneath it. It serves as an alert that the engine temperature is escalating dangerously high and that the vehicle is low on engine coolant—a situation that, if ignored, could lead to engine overheating.
This is according to advice from the RAC. The RAC advises motorists: “If the temperature warning light on your dashboard – a small picture of a thermometer – comes on, that could mean your coolant levels are low and could be your first sign of an overheating engine.”
They add: “When it’s safe to do so, pull over and check your coolant levels, topping up if necessary.” The RAC also warns: “If the temperature gauge on your dashboard has moved into red let your engine cool down for at least 30 minutes before continuing.”
Lastly, they caution, “If the light comes on again, this could be symptomatic of an issue with your cooling system, so check your car into a garage and get it seen to as soon as possible.”