semiatic

Spanner warning light (a fault, not a service reminder)

On some makes the spanner reports a fault, not a service that is due. Ford calls it the powertrain fault light: the engine, gearbox or four-wheel-drive system needs attention. Renault and Peugeot use it, usually with a message, for faults that have no warning lamp of their own.

Yellow / amber

Not defined by regulation: a maker convention

What to do

Read any message on the driver display, then have the car checked soon. Ford's 2022 Maverick handbook says have the system checked as soon as possible; if the lamp flashes while you are driving, reduce speed at once and avoid heavy acceleration and deceleration; and if it lights together with the engine malfunction lamp, stop as soon as it is safe to do so, because driving on could cause reduced power or the engine to stop. Renault says drive very carefully to a dealer as soon as possible or risk damaging the car. Peugeot says find the fault from the message: some, such as a flat remote-control battery, you can deal with yourself.

Makes differ: what this light means on your car, the other colours it may use for the symbol and what the car wants you to do are set by the manufacturer, so your car's owner's manual is the authority.

How urgent is it?

  • Yellow: Have it checked soon. Ford (handbook): have the system checked as soon as possible; flashing — reduce speed immediately. Ford's support page is stricter: it does not recommend driving while the light is on. Renault: drive very carefully to an approved dealer as soon as possible.
Symbol
A spanner (wrench)
Also called
Powertrain fault light; Powertrain warning lamp; Service warning lamp (Peugeot)
Colour
Yellow / amber
Standard
None — a maker convention, described here from 3 makers: Ford, Renault, Peugeot

Where makes differ

Other makes use the same drawing for the next service — Volkswagen, Mazda and Honda do (see the service due light). Peugeot uses both: a spanner in its service indicator for maintenance, and an orange Service lamp for minor faults. Renault's Captur draws the fault spanner in yellow. Ford's handbook prints the lamp without naming a colour; Ford's US support page says it lights for a powertrain or four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive fault and that Ford does not recommend driving while it is lit.

Not defined by regulation: a maker convention

Neither US FMVSS 101 (Tables 1 and 2) nor UN Regulation No. 121 lists this light, so no rule fixes its symbol or its colour. What follows is what the makers cited below say; other makes, and other model years of the same make, may draw it differently.

Neither FMVSS 101 nor UN R121 lists a spanner tell-tale.

Related lights a regulation does define

Check engine light (engine malfunction)Outline of an engine

Other yellow / amber maker lights

Diesel particulate filter (DPF) lightBox full of dots with a pipe at each end · maker conventionAdBlue (DEF) warning lightLiquid container with a wavy fill line and a drop · also red · maker conventionEPCEPC (electronic power control) lightThe letters EPC · maker conventionLane assist (lane keeping) lightLane markings running away from you, dashed line in the middle · also green · maker conventionForward collision warning lightCar seen from behind with radar arcs around it · also red · maker conventionBlind spot monitor lightTwo cars side by side with signal waves between them · maker conventionAdaptive cruise control (ACC) lightSpeedometer dial with a needle · also green · maker conventionAUTOHOLDAuto Hold lightThe words AUTO HOLD · also green · maker conventionPower steering warning light (EPS)Steering wheel, sometimes with an exclamation mark · also red · maker conventionWater in fuel light (diesel)Fuel pump with water drops beside it · maker conventionGearbox (transmission) warning lightCog wheel with an exclamation mark · maker convention?Key not detected lightKey with a question mark · maker conventionBulb failure (exterior light) warningLight bulb with rays and an exclamation mark · maker conventionHill descent control lightCar pointing down a slope · also green, red · maker conventionAAuto stop-start lightLetter A inside a circular arrow · also green · maker conventionService due (spanner) lightA spanner (wrench) · maker conventionLow engine oil level lightOil can above a wavy level line · maker conventionFrost / icy road warning (snowflake)A snowflake · maker conventionLow washer fluid lightWindscreen with a dashed fountain of spray · maker conventionKey battery low lightKey fob beside a small battery · maker conventionImmobiliser (security) lightCar outline with a key inside it · also red · maker conventionReduced power (tortoise) lightA tortoise · maker conventionPedestrian warning sound off or faultyWalking figure with sound waves · maker convention4WD / AWD warning lightFour wheels joined by axles and a drive shaft · maker conventionMaster warning light (triangle with !)An exclamation mark inside a triangle · also red · maker conventionFoot on brake light (press the brake pedal)A foot pressing a pedal · also green · maker conventionElectric drive system fault light (EV and hybrid)A car outline with an exclamation mark · also red · maker conventionLow drive battery light (electric cars)A battery with plus and minus signs, stacked on more cells · also red · maker convention

All yellow / amber dashboard lights, regulated ones included

Sources

No regulation defines this light, so it is described from 3 carmakers' own manuals or owner pages, each fetched and checked on the date shown:

Written in our own words; the makers' pages cover their own models only.