Toyota Fortuner Dashboard Warning Lights
The Fortuner is a mid-sized SUV that’s been manufactured by Japanese car maker Toyota since 2004. The Toyota Fortuner warning light detailed below provide their meanings and what action to take for all versions of the Fortuner. The dashboard display layout and warning lights location will vary depending on the model of Fortuner.
ECO symbol
The Toyota Fortuner ECO dash symbol illuminates when the computer detects that you’re driving in an economical / Eco-friendly manner. If you press the accelerator excessively, or when you stop the vehicle, the ECO light will switch off.
Tachometer
The Toyota Fortuner tachometer displays the speed of the engine in revolutions per minute (RPM).
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
The Toyota Fortuner malfunction indicator lamp (MIL), also known as the check engine warning light comes on or flashes along with a warning buzzer to indicate one of the following:
- A malfunction in the electronic engine control system.
- Electronic throttle control system.
- The boost pressure within the turbocharger is excessively high.
- A fault within the diesel particulate system (DPF).
To find out what the fault is, a diagnostic fault code reader is required. When the engine light / MIL comes on, a fault code is typically generated and stored. The diagnostic reader connects into the vehicle’s OBD-II port and scans for fault codes. This should then give you more details of where the malfunction is located. For further information about the engine light, see reasons why the engine warning light is on.
VCS Off Light
This warning light comes on when the Toyota Fortuner’s VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) has been manually switched off. It’s almost always beneficial to keep VSC switch on (it’s on by default each time you start the engine). However, if your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow and you need to rock backward and forwards to release it, it’ll be beneficial to turn VSC / Traction Control off.
Additionally, sometimes if there’s an engine malfunction and the engine warning light comes on, along with a loss of power (reduced engine power mode), VSC may automatically be disabled by the the system to prevent interruption in the vehicles driveability.
VCS Light
The Toyota Fortuner’s VSC system stands for ‘Vehicle Stability Control’ and by the use of automatic wheel braking and engine power reduction, the system helps to maintain control of the vehicle by reducing oversteer and understeer. VSC also include traction control which helps to reduce wheel slip.
The VSC system makes use of wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensor, yaw rate, and lateral acceleration sensors to constantly compare data along with the driver’s steering input. A fault usually occurs in one of these sensors, typically the wheel speed sensors as they are prone to damage. If the VSC light remains constantly lit, it means there’s a fault with the system. If the light flashes, it means the system is currently operating. A VCS light remaining lit can indicate a fault with:
- The VCS system
- The trailer sway system
- The TRC / A-TRC system (Traction Control)
- The hill-start assist system
- The downhill assist system
VCS is a similar system to ESC (Electronic Stability Control. For more information, see What ESC is in Cars and How Does ESC Work in Cars.
Engine Preheat
The engine preheat, or glow plugs warning light should go off when the engine is ready for starting. If the light stays on, comes on while driving or flashes, it indicates a problem. The light remaining lit doesn’t necessarily mean the glow plugs require replacement, other issues such as faulty crank sensors or cams can cause the light to come on.
It’s recommended to have diagnostics and scan for fault codes as soon as possible. You can probably continue driving with the glow plugs light on, but avoid high speeds and aggressive acceleration. Continued driving over an extended period may result in damage depending on what the fault is.
Master Warning Light
The Toyota Fortuner master warning light is a triangle containing an exclamation point. The master warning light comes on for various reasons and may come on or flash on its own, or with other warning lights. Whenever the master warning light comes on, always check for corresponding messages. A general guide to the master warning light is:
Master Warning Light Comes on Along with Buzzer
If the master warning light comes on along with an audible buzzer, it indicates that a driving related system has malfunctioned, or that potential danger may be the result of a correct procedure not being performed.
Master Warning Light Flashes Along with Buzzer
If the master warning light flashes along with an audible buzzer, it indicates potential risk of damage or danger to the vehicle.
Master Warning Light Comes on
If the master warning light comes on but the buzzer does not sound, it indicates a malfunction in electrical components, or the need for vehicle maintenance.
Master Warning Light Flashes
If the master warning light flashes but the buzzer does not sound, it indicates a situation where an operation has been performed incorrectly and may include how to perform the operation correctly.
Brake Light
The red brake warning light can illuminate for several reasons. These can include:
- The handbrake is on
- The brake fluid level is too low
- There’s a malfunction in the brake system
- Low negative pressure in the vacuum tank (brake booster)
Parking Brake
The Toyota Fortuner parking brake warning light comes on to inform the driver that the parking brake is applied. If the parking brake light flashes, it may indicate a failure in the parking brake system, a sensor failure or that the vehicle’s brake pads are wearing low.
ABS Light
The Toyota Fortuner Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) assists the driver by preventing the wheels from locking during heavy braking. The benefit of this enables the driver to continue to steer the vehicle. If the ABS light stays on, it means ABS has malfunctioned, but normal brakes will operate as usual. One of the more common reason for ABS to fail is due to a damaged wheel speed sensor. An illuminated ABS light may also be an indicated of a failure in the vehicle’s brake assist system.
Coolant Temperature Gauge
The coolant temperature gauge gives a visual representation of the engine coolant temperature. Generally, the needle in the temperature gauge remains approximately in the middle, but may get hotter when the vehicle’s engine is under heavy load. If the gauge needle enters the hot (H) area, it means the engine coolant is overheating.
It’s recommended that you stop the vehicle and wait for the coolant temperature to lower. Check that the engine cooling fan is operating. If the engine temperature fails to lower, turn off the engine, wait for it to cool and check coolant levels. For further information, see red engine coolant warning light on or flashing.
Main Beam Headlights
This blue symbol comes on when the high beam headlights are activated.
Directional Indicators / Hazards
The green arrows represent the left and right directional indicators. If the hazard warning lights are activated, both green arrows flash.
Front Fog Lights
This green symbol illuminates when the vehicle’s front fog lights are switched on.
Four-Wheel Drive
The Toyota Fortuner’s four-wheel drive system is activated when you see this symbol. You can switch between H4 (high speed four-wheel drive) and L4 (Low speed four-wheel drive). H4 should only be used on surfaces that allow the tires to slide, such as off-road, icy or snow-covered surfaces.
L4 provides you with maximum power and traction. L4 should be used when climbing or descending steep hills, off-road driving and hard pulling in sand, mud or deep snow. When L4 is activated, the four-wheel drive light will come on along with the low-speed four-wheel drive light (4LO) – see below.
Shifting from H2 to H4
Reduce the vehicle’s speed to less than 62 mph and turn the front-wheel drive control switch to H4 (four-wheel drive). The four-wheel drive indicator symbol will illuminate.
Shifting from H4 to H2
Turn the front-wheel drive control switch to H2 (two-wheel drive). The four-wheel drive indicator symbol will go off. For manual versions of the Toyota Fortuner, you do not need to depress the clutch pedal.
Shifting from H4 to L4 (Automatic)
Stop the vehicle and shift the gear selector into N. Push and turn the front-wheel drive control switch to L4. The low speed, four-wheel drive indicator symbol will illuminate.
Shifting from L4 to H4 (Automatic)
Stop the vehicle and shift the gear selector into N. Turn the front-wheel drive control switch to H4. The low speed, four-wheel drive indicator symbol will go off.
Shifting from H4 to L4 (Manual)
Stop the vehicle or reduce the vehicle’s speed to under 2 mph. Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal and depress the clutch pedal. Push and turn the front-wheel drive control switch to L4. The low speed, four-wheel drive indicator symbol will illuminate.
Shifting from L4 to H4 (Manual)
Stop the vehicle or reduce the vehicle’s speed to under 2 mph. Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal and depress the clutch pedal. Turn the front-wheel drive control switch to H4. The low speed, four-wheel drive indicator symbol will go off.
4LO Symbol
When the 4LO symbol illuminates, it means the Toyota Fortuner is in low speed, four-wheel drive (L4). See above for details. If the 4LO symbol flashes rapidly, it means there’s a fault with the four-wheel drive system.
Rear Differential Lock Light
The Toyota Fortuner’s rear differential lock system lock both the rear wheels. Activating the rear differential lock is ideal if the vehicle is stuck, such as in a ditch when one wheel is spinning. Press the rear differential lock button to lock the rear differential. The rear differential lock symbol will blink for a few seconds until the system has completed the operation. If the light continues to flash rapidly, it means there’s a fault.
Downhill Assist Control
The Toyota Fortuner downhill assist control (DAC) system helps to control excessive speed on downhill slopes. The system can be operated when the vehicle is travelling 18 mph or under. Press the DAC button to operate.
If there is a fault with the downhill assist system, the dashboard symbol will not illuminate when the system is activated, or the vehicle’s slip indicator will come on. A flashing DAC indicator light does not mean there’s a fault, but that the vehicle is not set appropriately to use the function; for example that the vehicle is in the incorrect gear.
Lights on Indicator
When this green external lights symbol illuminates, it means the front position lights, the tail lights, side marker, license plate and instrument panel lights turn on.
ECO Mode / PWR Mode
The Toyota Fortuner ECO mode can be used to achieve low fuel consumption during trips that involve frequent acceleration. To activate, press the ECO Mode button. The ECO Mode symbol will illuminate on the dashboard instrument display.
Alternatively, Power Mode can be selected. Power Mode can be selected when higher levels of responsiveness and feeling are required. To activate Power Mode, press the PWR Mode button. The PWR Mode symbol will illuminate on the dashboard instrument display.
iMT
The Toyota Fortuner’s iMT stands for ‘Intelligent Manual Transmission’. The iMT system detects clutch pedal and and gear shift lever operations performed by the driver. When the shift position is changed, iMT judges the optimal engine speed and preforms the appropriate control to help the driver to change the shift position smoothly. To activate Intelligent Manual Transmission, press the iMT button. The iMT symbol will illuminate on the dashboard instrument display.
Cruise Control
The Toyota Fortuner’s cruise control function is used to set the vehicle’s set speed without the need for pressing the accelerator pedal. This symbol illuminate when cruise control is activated. SET illuminates when the vehicle’s speed has been set.
Low Outside Temperature
The snowflake symbol comes on when the outside temperature is 3°C (37°F) or less. This is to warn that driving conditions may be hazardous due to icy road conditions.
Speedometer
This gauge displays the vehicle’s speed.
SRS Warning Light
The Toyota Fortuner SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) airbag / seat belt pretensioner system warning light comes on when a fault has been detected. Reasons range from a fault with the airbag module, water damage, crash sensors, steering wheel clock spring or the cables and connectors becoming loose or disconnected under the front seats. When a fault with the airbag system occurs, a fault code is typically generated and stored. Diagnostics is required to read the fault codes and locate the fault.
Fuel Gauge
Displays the Toyota Fortuner’s current level of fuel from empty (E) to a full tank (F).
Low Fuel Warning Light
The Toyota Fortuner’s low fuel warning light comes on when approximately 12.0 L (3.2 gal. / 2.6 imp. gal) of fuel are remaining in the tank.
Seat Belt Warning Light
Warns the driver and front passenger that their seat belt is not buckled.
Odometer and Trip Meter Button
The odometer displays the total distance the vehicle has been driven. The trip meter display the distance the vehicle has been driven since the meter was last reset. Trip meter A and B can be used independently of each other. Press the button to select between trip A or trip B. Pressing and holding the button will reset the trip meter. Pressing and holding and rotating the button will adjust the brightness of the instrument dashboard display.