The car’s instrument panel gives us a series of information about our car. From showing the speed at which we are traveling to indicating the fuel level, the control panel also provides us with other data of interest. These include engine temperature, tire pressure, oil condition and other essential parameters to maintain proper operation and performance of the vehicle.
Using different colored lights, the control panel alerts us to possible problems or situations that require our immediate attention. Most of these light signals are well known to all drivers, such as the temperature warning light, which indicates possible engine overheating, but there are others that may surprise us due to their lack of knowledge.
Among these less common signals is, for example, an orange light with the silhouette of a turtle. This light on informs us that the car is driving in slow driving mode and appears when the car detects a problem in its propulsion or transmission system.
When slow driving mode or emergency driving mode is activated, the vehicle reports that it has entered a limited operating mode to protect itself from possible further damage. This restricted mode generally reduces engine power and limits the maximum speed of the vehicle and prevents the air conditioning from offering us the appropriate temperature.
The main purpose of this measure is to allow the driver to get to a safe place or to a mechanic’s workshop without causing additional damage to the car. In most cases, it will be necessary to have a precise diagnosis carried out by an automotive professional to know exactly the nature of the problem since the witness only reports that the car is suffering a breakdown, without going into details.
The turtle mode that only some manufacturers incorporate into their models can be present in vehicles with different technologies. It is equipped with both electric and hybrid cars and those with combustion engines, although it is more common among electrified models, especially among zero-emission ones.
When the orange light with a turtle icon illuminates on an electrified vehicle, it is usually telling the driver that the car is depleting its battery charge and entering a mode that limits its functions. This warning could also be related to the overheating of the batteries and the need to limit the car’s functions to deliver maximum power to the cooling system at a specific time.
As regards cars with traditional engines, the turtle indicator can warn of different situations. When the silhouette of the turtle lights up, the warning light may be informing the driver that the fuel level is low, indicating that it is necessary to refuel to avoid running out of gasoline or diesel.
Additionally, it is possible that the turtle light comes on due to other unknown mechanical problems, which we will probably need to address and resolve in a specialized workshop.
