What Do the Cruise Control Symbols Mean?

Most cruise control symbols indicate whether the system is on, set, or experiencing a fault: a speedometer icon or “CRUISE” typically signals basic cruise control, a car with radar waves denotes adaptive cruise control (ACC), “LIM” points to a speed limiter, and color cues (white/gray for standby, green for active, amber/yellow for warnings) show status at a glance. While designs vary by automaker, these icons and colors consistently communicate readiness, activation, following distance, and any issues you should address.

The core symbols you’ll see

Across brands, dashboards lean on a small set of visuals to convey the state of cruise control and related driver-assistance functions. Here’s what the most common icons mean in plain language.

• Basic cruise control (speedometer icon or “CRUISE”): The system is available; if it turns green, it’s actively maintaining your set speed.
• Set/Active indicator (green): Confirms a target speed is set and being held; you’ll usually see the numeric set speed nearby.
• On/Ready (white/gray): Cruise is switched on but no speed is set yet (tap SET to engage).
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) (car with radar waves or a car in front of a speedometer): Uses sensors to maintain distance from traffic ahead; green means tracking and holding speed/gap, white means ready.
• Following-distance bars/chevrons: Adjustable gap setting for ACC (more bars = longer following distance).
• Lead vehicle indicator (car icon ahead of your vehicle): ACC has detected a vehicle and will match its speed as needed.
• Speed limiter (LIM or a speedometer with “LIM”): Caps your speed at a chosen value; many cars let you temporarily override with a hard throttle press.
• Intelligent speed assist (ISA) / speed sign icon: Uses map/camera to suggest or automatically limit to posted limits, often shown as a road sign symbol with a number.
• Resume/RES symbol (often a curved arrow or “RES/+”): Reactivates your last set speed after braking or canceling.
• Cancel/paused (CANCEL text or icon fades to white/gray): Temporarily suspends cruise without turning the system off.
• Unavailable/blocked (amber ACC/cruise icon or message): Sensor obscured (rain, snow, dirt) or conditions not met; cruise won’t engage.
• Fault/malfunction (amber/yellow warning or flashing icon): A system issue needs attention; cruise may be disabled until resolved.

These icons are standardized enough that you can read them quickly: white/gray means “armed,” green means “doing the job,” and amber means “something needs attention.” The nearby set speed value and small gap bars complete the picture.

Steering-wheel buttons and what their labels mean

Button labels mirror the cluster symbols and give you direct control. While layouts differ, these are the most common controls and how they behave.

• ON/OFF or MAIN: Powers the cruise/driver-assist suite; does not set a speed by itself.
• CRUISE: Selects traditional cruise mode (no active distance control).
• ACC/Distance car icon: Selects or toggles adaptive cruise mode in vehicles with multiple modes.
• SET– and SET+/+: Sets the current speed, then nudges it down/up in small increments.
• RES or RES/+: Resumes your last set speed after a cancel or brake press.
• CANCEL: Pauses speed holding without turning the system off.
• DIST/GAP with bars: Cycles the following distance (short, medium, long) in ACC.
• LIM: Activates or toggles the speed limiter; often separate from cruise.
• MODE: Switches among cruise types (e.g., normal cruise, ACC, limiter) if supported.

If the wheel has multiple “modes,” the cluster will confirm what’s active (e.g., ACC vs. basic cruise) and show the relevant icons and set values.

Colors and meanings at a glance

Cluster color coding is your fastest status check. Though exact hues can vary by brand, the meanings are broadly consistent.

• Green: Active and controlling speed (and gap, if ACC).
• White/gray: System on/armed but not maintaining speed yet.
• Amber/yellow: Warning, temporarily unavailable, or malfunction; check messages.
• Red: Urgent hazard or brake alert (from collision warning systems, not cruise itself).

When icons shift from white to green, cruise has taken control; any amber or red adds urgency and should prompt you to investigate or take over immediately.

Adaptive cruise specifics

How ACC shows following and target vehicles

ACC typically displays your car with a stylized vehicle ahead when a target is detected. As traffic changes, the icon for the lead car appears/disappears, and gap bars reflect your chosen following distance. If no vehicle is detected, ACC reverts to holding your set speed.

When cruise or ACC won’t engage

If you see an amber message such as “Cruise/ACC unavailable,” common causes are environmental or operational. Here are the usual culprits and fixes.

• Sensor obstruction: Snow, ice, mud, bugs, or a blocked radar/camera; clean the front grille emblem and windshield area.
• Weather: Heavy rain, snow, fog, or glare can degrade sensors; wait for conditions to improve.
• System limits: Vehicle speed below the minimum engage threshold for your model; accelerate slightly, then press SET.
• Driver/vehicle state: Seatbelt unlatched, door/hood open, or brake light switch fault can inhibit cruise.
• Towing or specific drive modes: Some vehicles disable ACC while towing or in certain off-road/sport modes.
• Calibration or malfunction: After windscreen or radar replacement, the system may need calibration; seek service if warnings persist.

If a cleaning or simple restart doesn’t restore function, consult the vehicle manual or a qualified technician—persistent amber faults usually need diagnosis.

How to use cruise control safely

Used correctly, cruise control reduces fatigue and helps maintain legal speeds. These steps keep you in control and the system working as intended.

1. Enable the system (ON/MAIN), verify a white/gray icon.
2. Reach your desired speed, press SET; look for the icon to turn green and confirm the set speed.
3. Adjust speed with SET–/SET+; on ACC, also set a comfortable following gap with DIST/GAP.
4. Stay attentive: Hands on the wheel, eyes on the road; cruise is not autonomous driving.
5. Cancel or brake as needed for traffic, curves, or conditions; use RES to return to your prior set speed when safe.
6. Avoid using cruise on icy, snowy, or flooded roads, on steep or winding routes, or in heavy stop‑and‑go unless your ACC supports low-speed operation and conditions are clear.

Think of cruise control as a helpful assistant—not a replacement for active driving—especially where traction and visibility are variable.

FAQs and tricky lookalikes

Some icons can be confused for cruise control when they actually represent different driver aids. Here’s how to tell them apart and what to do.

• Lane-keeping vs. ACC: Lane icons with lane lines indicate lane assist/centering, not speed control; ACC adds a car-with-waves or distance bars.
• LIM vs. CRUISE: LIM limits maximum speed but won’t maintain it; CRUISE holds a speed whether or not there’s a limit.
• “MAIN” (common on Honda/Acura): Enables the suite (ACC/LKAS) but doesn’t set speed; you still need to press SET.
• “Sensor blocked/unavailable”: Clean the camera/radar areas and windshield; if the message persists, seek service.

If you’re unsure, match the steering-wheel button you pressed with the icon that appears—mode consistency between button and cluster is your best guide.

Summary

Cruise control symbols are designed for quick reading: white/gray means the system is ready, green means it’s actively holding speed (and distance with ACC), and amber warns of limits or faults. Speedometer icons and “CRUISE” label basic cruise, car-and-waves graphics denote ACC, and “LIM” marks a speed limiter. Use the SET/RES/DIST controls to adjust, and always stay engaged—these are driver aids, not self-driving features.

What do cruise control symbols mean?

The cruise control system will often be a speedometer symbol with an arrow pointing to a set speed. It will light up green when it has been successfully set, and an amber or yellow light can indicate that cruise control is enabled but not set, or that there is a problem with the system.

What is the cruise control symbol on a dash?

The most common cruise control symbol is a speedometer with an arrow, similar to an icon on a gas pump or a gauge. This symbol typically appears on the dashboard to indicate that the cruise control system has been turned on and is operating. The color often signifies the system’s status, with a white or yellow light showing the feature is enabled but not yet set, and a green light indicating that a speed has been set and the cruise control is active. 
Symbol Variations
While the speedometer with an arrow is a very common symbol, other variations exist: 

• Speedometer with a car: This is often used for Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). 
• Car with waves in front: This symbol can also indicate Adaptive Cruise Control, representing the system’s ability to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead. 
• Arc with a small triangle: Another symbol for ACC, with the arc representing the set speed and the triangle representing the vehicle ahead. 

Understanding the Color of the Symbol

• White/Yellow: This color generally means the cruise control system is turned on and ready, but you haven’t set a specific speed. 
• Green: When the symbol turns green, it signifies that you have selected a speed, and the cruise control is actively maintaining it. 
• Flashing/Orange: A flashing or sustained amber or yellow light can indicate a fault or issue with the cruise control system, such as a sensor or electrical problem. 

When to See Your Mechanic
If the cruise control light stays on, is flashing, or a different cruise control warning gauge appears, it signals a potential problem. It is important to have your vehicle checked by a mechanic, as this could be due to a faulty sensor, blown fuse, or other system issues. 
This video explains what cruise control warning lights mean and what to do if you see one: 50sCarTechHomeYouTube · Apr 13, 2025
What to Do if You See the Symbol

• Turn on the system: Press the On/Off button on your steering wheel to activate the system. 
• Set a speed: Once the symbol is illuminated, press the “Set” button while driving at your desired speed to engage the cruise control and turn the light green. 
• Deactivate the system: To turn off cruise control, you can press the brake or clutch, or simply turn the system off using the button on the steering wheel. 

If you are still unsure, checking your vehicle’s owner’s manual is the best way to find specific information about your car’s cruise control system and its dashboard indicators.

How do I adjust speed on cruise control?

1. When your vehicle is stopped, hold the brake pedal and press the Set button. 2. Keep your foot on the brake and press the Resume/+ or Set/- buttons to set the cruise speed you want.

Is it better to drive with cruise control on or off?

Conclusion: Using cruise control can be beneficial for fuel efficiency and reducing fatigue on long, straight drives, particularly on highways. However, it should be avoided in heavy traffic, adverse weather, or complex driving scenarios where constant speed adjustments are necessary.