Comprehensibility and impact of vehicle dashboard indicator light symbols on drivers’ preventive maintenance compliance

Atombo, Charles; Akple, Maxwell Selase; Dumenya, Arnold; Adzimahe, Paul · 2025 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323386

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Summary

This study investigates the relationship between drivers’ comprehension of vehicle dashboard indicator light symbols and their compliance with preventive maintenance practices. The research is motivated by the increasing complexity of vehicle dashboards and the prevalence of used vehicles in developing countries like Ghana, where drivers often lack access to manufacturer manuals. This gap in knowledge can lead to misinterpretation of warning lights, potentially resulting in delayed maintenance, vehicle damage, and reduced road safety. The study specifically aims to assess drivers’ familiarity with these symbols and determine how demographic factors and comprehension levels influence proactive maintenance behaviors. The researchers conducted a survey involving 2,530 drivers across all 16 regions of Ghana, comprising private and commercial vehicle operators. Participants were purposively selected based on driving experience. Data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire that assessed demographic information, monitoring habits, and the extent of action taken when indicator lights illuminated (measured on a 3-point Likert scale: no action, some action, or prompt action). To evaluate comprehension, participants were shown 25 common dashboard symbols and asked to identify and explain their meanings. Responses were coded as correct, wrong, or unknown. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Generalized Ordered Logistic Regression (GOLR) to examine the impact of symbol comprehension and driver demographics on maintenance compliance. The results indicate significant variation in drivers’ familiarity and understanding of dashboard symbols. Only two symbols—the seatbelt indicator (96.1% correct interpretation) and the battery charge warning (89.7% correct)—met the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) criterion for high understanding (>85%). Symbols with pictorial designs were generally better understood than those with abstract or text-based representations. Regression analysis revealed a complex relationship between comprehension and maintenance compliance. For the majority of dashboard indicators, low comprehension was positively associated with preventive maintenance compliance, whereas higher comprehension was negatively associated. However, specific symbols related to critical systems—such as tyre pressure, traction control, 4x4 active, and power steering warnings—showed a negative significant association between poor comprehension and maintenance compliance, suggesting that misunderstanding these specific warnings leads to neglected maintenance. The study concludes that there is a critical need for standardized dashboard symbols and targeted driver education programs to improve comprehension. The findings suggest that while general familiarity may not always correlate with better maintenance habits, misunderstanding specific safety-critical indicators significantly hinders proactive vehicle care. The authors recommend that automotive industries design more intuitive warning systems and that policymakers mandate clearer warning standards. These measures are essential for enhancing vehicle reliability, promoting road safety, and ensuring that drivers can effectively respond to vehicle status alerts, particularly in regions with high rates of used vehicle ownership.

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• signaling behavior