This section details the dashboard warning light symbols of the Peugeot 208. Universal dashboard warning lights are used throughout the world.
Some lights are however specific to a country, though most of the Peugeot 208 dashboard warning light should be recognisable here.
Warning lights as with most models of vehicles are displayed in different colours. Red being the most serious, especially when flashing or accompanied by an audible beep. It is important to understand the meaning of the symbol, in particular those that are coloured red as it may cause damage to the vehicle if left, or it may result in a malfunction of a safety device on the vehicle under continual use.
The Peugeot 208 dashboard lights and symbols are detailed below with use of a symbol picture, a description and often an explanation of what action should be taken.
Peugeot 208 Diesel Preheat Dashboard Light
Light will illuminate when ignition is switched to on position. Before starting engine, wait until the light goes out. In colder climate conditions, the light will remain on for longer and may remain on for up to 30 seconds in very cold conditions. If engine fails to start, go through the preheat cycle again.
Parking Brake or Brake Fluid WArning LIGHT
Light will illuminate when parking brake (handbrake) is applied. Keeping your foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake and the light will extinguish.
Ensure parking brake is fully released. If the red exclamation mark symbol illuminate and the handbrake is fully released, this indicates there is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir. Top up with brake fluid and if the problem persists, this suggests there may be a leak within the system.
ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) WARNING LIGHT
If this light illuminates continuously, it indicates a fault with the anti-lock braking system, or ABS. The conventional braking system will remain unaffected and brakes for the most part will work as normal. ABS is used to prevent wheels from locking whilst braking heavily. Take the vehicle to a Peugeot dealership or technician. See why is the ABS light on for further information.
BRAKE + ABS WARNING LIGHT
If the brake light (red exclamation mark) comes on along with the amber ABS light, this indicates the electronic brake force distribution (EBFD) system has a fault. Braking may become impaired. Stop as soon as safe to do so and seek assistance from a Peugeot technician.
Foot on Brake Pedal Dashboard LIGHT
With a fixed non-flashing light, this is to inform you that the brake pedal must be pressed before starting with the lever in ‘N’ position for electronic transmission. To release the parking brake on automatic transmission with the engine running, press the brake pedal first. If the light is flashing, this means you have stopped the vehicle on an incline for too long using the accelerator only. This causes the clutch to overheat and causes excessive wear on clutch components. Instead, use the brake pedal or parking brake.
FOOT ON Clutch PEDAL DASHBOARD LIGHT
This orange / amber symbol on the Peugeot 208 dashboard is to signify the engine will not start during engine Start and Stop mode. This is because the clutch is not fully depressed.
Start & Stop DASHBOARD LIGHT
The start & stop mode dashboard warning light may flash for a few seconds then go out when: the driver’s door is not shut properly, the driver’s seat belt is not fastened, the vehicle has not exceeded 6 mph (10 km/h) since the last engine start using the key, the engine is needed to provide a user defined temperature in the passenger compartment, demisting is active, certain special conditions that may may include battery charge, engine temperature, braking assistance, ambient temperature and where the engine is needed to assure control of vehicle systems.
Airbag Fault DASHBOARD LIGHT
The airbag light should illuminate for a short period of time after engine start as self-test. If light remains on, it indicates a fault with the airbag system or seat belt pretensioner systems. Vehicle should be checked by a qualified Peugeot technician. For further information about airbags and possible faults, see why is the airbag light on?
Passenger Airbag Warning LIGHT
The control to turn the passenger airbag on or off is located in the glove box. Switch may be set to the OFF position. In this case, the passenger’s front airbag is deactivated. If desired, you can install a “rear facing” child seat. If light illuminates and switch is turned to on, there may be a fault with the passenger airbag system. Seek assistance from an authorised Peugeot technician.
STOP Dashboard WARNING LIGHT
The red STOP light for the Peugeot 208 is associated with the engine oil pressure or the engine coolant temperature. To avoid potential damage to engine components, it is advisable that you stop as soon as it is safe to do so and turn off the engine. Contact an authorised Peugeot technician.
Service WARNING LIGHT
The SERVICE warning light may illuminate along with an associated message on the display screen if fitted. Identify the fault by reading the message. Possible messages will require you seeking assistance from a Peugeot technician: engine oil level alert, risk of blockage of the particle emissions filter (Diesel), Diesel fuel additive level (Diesel with particle emissions filter). A service light may also come on along with another symbol as detailed below.
Maximum Coolant Temperature WARNING LIGHT
The temperature gauge symbol illuminates to indicate the coolant temperature is running too high. Coolant is circulated throughout the engine to keep it cool. An overheating engine may potentially seize and cause irreparable damage. Stop as soon as possible and turn off the engine. Leave 20 to 30 minutes for engine to cool and check coolant levels. If problem persists, have vehicle checked.
Dynamic Stability Control WARNING LIGHT
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC/ASR) light flashes on the Peugeot 208 to indicate system is active. The system optimises traction and improves the
directional stability of the vehicle in the event of loss of grip or direction. This is normal working conditions. If the light continuously remains on, this indicates a fault with the DSC/ASR system. Have vehicle checked.
Power Steering Failure WARNING LIGHT
This symbol will illuminate when there is a fault with the power steering. Turning the steering wheel may become significantly harder at slower speeds due to the failure. The conventional steering system will remain fully functional, though electronic assistance will be unavailable. Vehicle should be check by a Peugeot technician.
Engine Autodiagnosis System WARNING LIGHTs
1. Continuously lit, this dashboard symbol indicates the emission control system has a fault. If light remains on, have vehicle checked. If symbol is flashing, this indicates the engine management system has a fault, where there is a risk of damage to the catalytic converter. Vehicle must be checked.
2. Amber symbol with exclamation mark – A minor engine fault has been detected associated with the SERVICE symbol. Vehicle must be checked.
3. Red symbol with exclamation mark – A major engine fault has been detected and is associated with the STOP symbol. Vehicle must be stopped as soon as possible, turn engine off and contact Peugeot dealership or technician.
UREA AdBlue Dashboard WARNING LIGHT
This symbol will illuminate with ignition of engine and accompanied by an audible sound. Have the AdBlue additive tank topped up as soon as possible. The remaining driving range is between 350 miles (600 km) and 1500 miles (2400 km).
UREA ADBLUE + SERVICE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTs
This symbol (UREA) will flash with audible sound and SERVICE light will illuminate. If vehicle running, this indicates the remaining driving range is between 0 and 375 miles (600 km). Top-up the AdBlue to avoid breakdown. If engine does not start, inhibition system has prevented ignition. Top-up the AdBlue to enable engine ignition.
UREA ADBLUE + SERVICE + Engine Diagnostic WARNING LIGHTs
Continuous non-flashing, a fault with the SCR emissions control system has been detected. Incorrect exhaust emissions being detected. Once exhaust emissions return to normal, lights will go out. If lights or UREA light flashing, the remaining driving range is between 0 and 650 miles (1100 km). Contact authorised Peugeot dealer immediately. Symbols illuminate with ignition switched on but engine will not start, you have exceeded the authorised driving limit where inhibitor prevents engine from starting. To start engine, contact Peugeot dealership.
Engine Oil Pressure WARNING LIGHT
This oil light symbol signifies a problem with the lubrication system within the engine. Pull over and stop as soon as safe to do so and turn off engine immediately. Continued engine running risks significant damage. Contact Peugeot technician. Low engine oil pressure can cause severe damage to your engine.
Battery Charge WARNING LIGHT
Light illuminates when engine is turned on for short time. If light remains on, it indicates fault with battery, battery terminals, alternator not charging battery or alternator belt fault. Continual use may result in drained battery and failure to start vehicle. Have vehicle checked. See Why is the battery warning light on for further help.
Tyre Under-Inflation + Service WARNING LIGHT
1. Tyre under-inflation light – one or more tyres are not at the correct pressure. Check tyre pressure ideally when cold.
2. Tyre under-inflation light + SERVICE light – Light will flash initially then become stable. The tyre pressure monitoring system has a fault or no sensor is detected on one of the wheels. Under-inflation of a tyre may result in you not being notified by system. Have vehicle checked soon.
Common Dashboard Lights on the Peugeot 208
There is a red spanner sign on my hire car. What does it mean?
Once upon a time, cars never had all this stuff added and they worked with no problem. All it does is cause worry and a smaller bank account having to pay a garage/dealer to correct it.
Did you get an answer for this please. The one on my 208 has just come on too.
Thanks Val
Sometimes of a night, one of my light indicators on the dash shows amber instead if green for the new 208 gt line. I can’t find why it does that in the manual
Hi Debbie,
What does the warning light look like?
In reply to Peter Alexander.
Service due or they’ve likely not reset the reminder.
Engine light 2 along with service light.
It’s on since 2 years, 2 MOT passed, checked from garage and it says there’s absolutely no fault . Sometimes it goes and back again. I want to sell my car because of this but no one wants to buy with engine light on it. Drives OK, everything OK, never had a problem.
Hi Sam,
Not all diagnostic equipment is the same and what they’re using might not be picking up the faults. Trouble with engine warning light, it can be many possible things. Have you taken it to an alternative garage? Might be worth going to an official Peugeot garage to have your car scanned. Will cost more, but as you say, you’ll have trouble selling it with the engine warning light on.
This is perhaps a little off-topic but recently the lock symbol light is flashing continuously after I’ve locked the car and it’s just sitting there parked. What does that mean?
Hi, I run a Peugout semi automatic petrol Peugeot 208 2015. It has had a replacement Catalytic Converter as the engine management light came on in July 2021 then its had a front and rear lamba sensor fitted.
Within a year of the new Catalytic Converter coming on it the engine management light came on again – so as it was under warranty they changed it.
Not long after the light came on again and also next I had no brakes so I took it to the garage and they took the car off me as it was unsafe to drive. They told me it was the Servo but when they looked at it apparently it was the box the Servo sits in, some plastic parts had broke off. The car was with them 5 whole months because they couldn’t get the part . I eventually had the car back in February 2023 & pd £1200,00 . Now the engine management light is back on after driving it not even one mile. Any solutions to this horrendous problem.
Hi Helen,
So you took the car in due to the engine light coming back on, but also due to defective brakes, then after receiving your car, the engine light is back on straight away?
I think you need to find out if this is a reoccurring problem or a new one. If the car is still under warranty, I would immediately take it back. You can only find out what the problem is by the use of fault code readers. These are scanners the plug into your vehicle’s data port and scan for fault codes. If the car is not in warranty, take it elsewhere and have is scanned for fault codes – see if they still relate to the catalytic converter. If they do, find out what warranty you had on the original repair.
The problem may be related to the vehicle sitting their and not being driven for 5 months. Moisture in the fuel, sensors resetting. It’s difficult to say, but you’ll need to have your vehicle scanned for fault codes.