What Does the "Car and Lock Symbol Light" Mean on Dashboard?

Modern automobiles have dashboards fitted with dials as well as an array of flashing lights. 

These flashing lights somehow illuminate and awake the inattentive drivers. These alerting lights are usually not a cause for concern because they will go out just as the engine is started. However, if they ever come on while you're driving, you must know what they mean because some of them can signal major implications.

In the same way that a traffic light system works, the lights are colored red, orange (or amber), or green. It is important to note that the meaning of stop is red, which indicates that the problem must be investigated instantly; orange or amber, which indicates that drivers must take action; and green, which indicates that everything is fine and serves as a gentle reminder.

When driving, have you observed a red car and a lock symbol on the dashboard of your vehicle? Don't let the color red cause you to lose your cool. Despite the fact that the car and lock symbol appears to indicate that you are about to be trapped out of your own car, the car and lock symbol simply indicates that your vehicle's anti-theft setup has been enabled, according to the manufacturer. Continue reading to find out more about this particular symbol.

What Is the Meaning of the Car and Lock Symbol?

The anti-theft system has been installed in order to prevent thieves from entering your vehicle. To be more specific, car thieves are being targeted. You could lose your wallet and the teddy bear you received as a birthday present, but the anti-theft system is designed to prevent you from losing control of your vehicle without your permission.

Anti-theft systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated as time goes on. It essentially works by preventing power from flowing through your car, causing it to stall or to shut down completely without warning. System configurations can range from something as simple as an engine immobilizer to something as complex as a car warning system.

If your car was manufactured after 1998, it should have a factory-installed immobilizer. Immobilizers are required on all vehicles manufactured after 1998, but if you have an old-aged vehicle model that does not have one, you can have an add-on immobilizer installed.

The immobilizer is a factory-installed electronic safety feature that shuts down your vehicle's engine if the "incorrect" key is used. The fact that you're asking this question indicates that the anti-theft scheme in your car has been most likely activated unintentionally.

What Is the Purpose of the Car and Lock Symbol?

Have you recently performed maintenance on the engine of your vehicle? Could it be that you took the car in "to have the engine rebuilt"? This particular instance may be associated with recent engine work performed on your vehicle, as evidenced by the sudden appearance of the car and lock sign. In this particular instance, the car and lock sign is most likely not the only anomalous development you've noticed on your vehicle's dashboard. Aside from starting problems and other strange behavior, the vehicle's power source, which includes its battery and engine, may also be exhibiting strange behavior.

Other factors can cause a vehicle's anti-theft system to be activated. For instance, a dead battery may result in the loss of the key memory, which will cause the anti-theft system to be activated. In addition, you should double-check that the battery in your key fob is still operational. As an added precaution, an improperly functioning immobilizer chip in your key or the door lock of your vehicle may cause the anti-theft systems to believe that something is wrong.

Furthermore, something is significantly out of balance, but not in the way that the system predicted.

When a vehicle's immobilizer includes a car alarm, the anti-theft system may be activated by movement within the vehicle, the incorrect key (key learning), tilt/inclination, a recharging alarm (suitable to electric cars), and forcible entry via the hood, trunk, or doors.

Whatever the issue may be, you desire your vehicle to resume regular functioning and the unsettling car and lock sign to go. Your first step should be to turn off the security system. The vehicle should then be scanned to determine which codes are causing the car and lock symbol lights to illuminate.

The Red Light Depicting an Automobile With a Lock Is On!

This is your car's immobilizer light, which signals that the vehicle is locked. The immobilizer, also known as Secure-Lock in Ford automobiles, is a passive anti-theft mechanism that prevents your vehicle from starting without the key. If the automobile will no longer start, this indicates that something has caused the immobilizer to become armed and refuse to disarm when the key is there. It is common for this light to remain to flash after you switch off your vehicle until you restart it. Also, if your car has an alarm system, this may indicate that the alarm is activated if there isn't a distinct icon for it on the dashboard. If the problem persists despite the presence of your key, you will have to take it to a Ford dealership to have the immobilizer turned off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Why Is My Automobile Displaying a Vehicle With a Lock on It?

Answer: This is your car's immobilizer light, which signals that the vehicle is locked. The immobilizer, also known as Secure-Lock in Ford automobiles, is a passive anti-theft mechanism that prevents your vehicle from starting without the key

Question 2: What Is the Significance of the Orange Automobile on My Dashboard?

Answer: Orange and yellow dashboard lights indicate that there is something that needs to be fixed soon, such as an oil change, and that your emissions system is malfunctioning. While this is not urgency, you must have a repairman look at the situation as quickly as possible.

Question 3: How Can I Disable the Anti-theft System?

Answer: To disable the anti-theft feature, hit the unlocking button key on your remote. It is recommended that the key be used to open the door and power on the ignition switch. If that doesn't work, try locking the driver's side door with the key while you're out of the vehicle.