واﻟ واﻟ  ﻟﻠ  اﻟ  اﻟﻬ 
Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Org. (SAS O) 
 
 
      
 
 
  
 
Final Draft Standard  
 
 
  
SASO /FDS/31836/2020  
   
 
Road vehicles - Controls, tell-tales and indicators 
 
 
    
ICS: 01.080.20 - 43.040.30 
 
This document is a draft Saudi Standard circulated for comments . It is, therefore, 
subject to alteration and modifi cation and may not be referred to as a Saudi 
Standard until approved by SASO . SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31836/202 0
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Conte nts 
 
 
1- Scope and field of the application ............... ................ ................ ................ ............ ......... 2 
 
2- Complementary References .............................................................. ............................... 2 
 
3- Terms and definitions  .............................................................. ......................................... 2 
 
4- Conditions  .............................................................. .............................................................. 3 
 
5- Technical requirements  ............................................................... ..................................... 3 
 
Bibliography   ............................................................. ............................................................. 1 3 SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31836/202 0
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 Road vehicles - Controls, tell-tales and indicators 
 
1- Scope and field of the appl ication 
This standard specifies the technical requirements for the loca tions, color, illuminations, and 
identifications of road vehicle controls, tell-tales and indica tors. 
 
This standard applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger  vehicles, trucks, and buses. 
 
2- Complementary References 
2.1 SASO GSO ISO 2575 "Road vehicles - Symbols for controls, indic ators and tell-tales". 
 
3- Terms and definitions 
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and defi nitions are applied: 
3.1 Passenge r car 
A motor vehicle with motive power, designed for carrying 10 per sons or less including the 
driver and their luggage, except a low-speed vehicle, multipurp ose passenger vehicle, or trailer. 
3.2 Multipurpose passe nger vehicle 
A motor vehicle with motive power, designed to carry 10 persons  or less or goods equivalent 
by weight which is constructed either on a truck chassis or wit h special features for occasional 
off-road operation. Except a low-speed vehicle or trailer 
3.3 Truck 
A motor vehicle with motive power, designed primarily for the t ransportation of property, 
special purpose equipment, or towing a trailer except a trailer . 
3.4 Bus 
A motor vehicle with motive power, designed for carrying more t han 10 persons, except a 
trailer. 
3.5 Device 
An element or an assembly of elements used to perform one or mo re functions. 
3.6 Contr ol 
A hand-operated part of a device that enables the driver to bri ng about a change in the state or 
functioning of a vehicle or vehicle’s subsystem. 
3.7 Indi cator 
A device that shows the magnitude of the physical characteristics that the instrument is designed 
to sense. 
3.8 Identifier 
A symbol, word, or words used to identify a control, telltale, or indicator. 
3.9 Tell-tale 
An optical signal that, when alight, indicates the actuation or  deactivation of a device, a correct 
or defective functioning or condition, or a failure to function . 
3.10 Common space 
An area on which more than one telltale, indicator, identifier,  or another message may be 
displayed, but not simultaneously. SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31836/202 0
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 3.11 Adjac ent 
With respect to a control, telltale or indicator, and its ident ifier means: 
(a) The identifier is in close proximity to the control, telltale or indicator; and 
(b) No other control, telltale, indicator, identifier or source of  illumination appears between the 
identifier and the telltale, indicator, or control that the ide ntifier identifies. 
3.12 Multi-function contr ol 
A control through which the driver may select, and affect the o peration of, more than one 
vehicle function. 
3.13 Multi-task di splay 
A display on which more than one message can be shown simultane ously. 
4- Conditions 
4.1 The driver has adapted to the ambient light roadway conditions . 
4.2 The driver is restrained by the seat belts and adjusted in acc ordance with the vehicle 
manufacturer's instructions. 
5- Technical requirements 
5.1 General 
5.1.1  Each passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck or b us shall be provided with 
a control, a tell-tale and an indicator listed in Table (1). 
5.1.2 Each passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck, or b us shall meet the 
prescribed requirements of this Standard for the location, iden tification, color, and illumination 
of such control, tell-tale or indicator. 
5.2 Location 
5.2.1  The controls shall be available in order for them to be operat ed by the driver according to 
the condition mentioned in item. 4.2. 
5.2.2  The tell-tales and indicators and their identification shall b e located so that they are clearly 
visible to the driver when operating during the day and night, according to the conditions 
mentioned in items 4.1 and 4.2. 
5.2.3  The identifications of the controls, indicators and tell-tales  shall be placed on or adjacent 
to the telltale, indicator or control that identifies it, with the exception of multi-function 
controls, so they are as close as possible. 
5.2.4  A multi-function controls shall be provided with a multi-funct ion display, as follows: 
a) Clearly visible to the driver according to the conditions desc ribed in clauses 4.1 and 4.2; 
b) Identifies the multi-function control with which it is associa ted graphically or using words; 
c) For multi-task displays with layers, identifies on the top-mos t layer each system for which 
control is possible from the associated multi-function control,  and subfunctions of the available 
systems need not be shown on the top-most layer of the multi-ta sk display; 
d) Identifies the controls of Table (1) with the identification s pecified in those tables, whenever 
those are the active functions of the multi-function control. 
For lower levels of multi-task displays with layers, identifica tion is permitted but not required 
for systems not otherwise regulated by this standard., and 
e) The telltales are not displayed. 
5.2.5  The turn signal control shall be on the left side of the steer ing wheel. SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31836/202 0
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 5.3 Identification 
5.3.1  Each control, telltale and indicator shall be identified using  the symbols, words or 
abbreviations mentioned in Table (1). 
5.3.2  The symbols, words, or abbreviations of the control, telltale and indicator shall be in 
accordance with Table (1). 
5.3.3  Any symbol, word, or abbreviation not listed in Table (1) may be used to identify 
a  control,  a  telltale  or  an  indicator,  and  shall  be  i n  accordance  with  Saudi  Standard 
SASO GSO ISO 2575. 
Note: 
(1)  To  identify  a  control,  a  tell-tale  or  an  indicator  not  listed  in  Table  1  or  SASO GSO  ISO  2575, 
the manu facturer may use a symbol of its own conception. 
(2) Each additional or supplementary symbol used by the manu facturer shall not cause confusion with any symbol 
specified in this standard. 
5.3.4 A single symbol, word, or abbreviation may be used to identify any combination of the 
control, indicator, and telltale for the same function. 
5.3.5  All identifications of tell-tales, indicators and controls (in cluding rotating control is in 
its "off" position) listed in Table (1) or SASO GSO ISO 2575 sh all appear to the driver 
perceptually upright, except for the following: 
a) A horn control; 
b) Any control, telltale or indicator located on the steering whe el, when the steering wheel is 
positioned for the motor vehicle to travel in a direction other  than straight forward; and 
c) Any rotating control that does not have an “off” position. 
5.3.6  Each control for an automatic vehicle speed system (cruise con trol) and each control for 
heating and air conditioning systems must have identification p rovided for each function of 
each such system. 
5.3.7  Each control that regulates a system function over a continuou s range must have 
identification provided for the limits of the adjustment range of that function. 
5.3.8  If color coding is used to identify the limits of the adjustme nt range of a temperature 
function, the hot limit must be identified by the color red and  the cold limit by the color blue. 
5.3.9  The Low Tire Pressure Telltale (either the display identifying  which tire has low pressure 
or the display which does not identify which tire has low press ure) shall be identified by the 
appropriate symbol designated in Table (1). 5.3.10  No identification is required for any horn (i.e., audible warn ing signal) that is activated 
by a lanyard or by the driver pressing on the center of the fac e plane of the steering wheel hub. 
5.3.11  Automatic functions may be indicated with the symbol relevant for the corresponding 
item as referred to in Table (1) , with the supplementary lette r(s) "A" or "AUTO" positioned on 
or adjacent to its outline. SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31836/202 0
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 5.4 Illumination 
5.4.1  The identifications of controls for which the word “Yes” is sp ecified in column (5) of 
Table (1) shall be capable of being illuminated whenever the he adlamps are activated. 
This requirement does not apply to a control located on the flo or, floor console, steering wheel, 
steering column, or in the area of windshield header, or to a c ontrol for a heating and air- 
conditioning system that does not direct air upon the windshiel d. 
5.4.2  The indicators and their identifications for which the word “Y es” is specified in column 
(5) of Table (1) shall be illuminated whenever the vehicle's pr opulsion system and headlamps 
are activated. 
5.4.3  The indicators, their identifications and the identifications of controls need not be 
illuminated when the headlamps are being flashed or operated as  daytime running lamps 
5.4.4  At the manufacturer's discretion any control, indicator or the ir identifications may be 
capable of being illuminated at any time. 
5.4.5  A tell-tale shall not emit light except when identifying the m alfunction or vehicle 
condition for whose indication it is designed or during a bulb check. 
 
5.5 Brightness of illumination  
5.5.1  Means shall be provided for illuminating the indicators, ident ifications of indicators and 
controls listed in Table 1 to make them visible to the driver u nder daylight and nighttime driving 
conditions. 
5.5.2  The means of providing the visibility required by 5.5.1: 
a) Shall be adjustable to provide at least two levels of brightne ss; 
b) At a level of brightness other than the highest level, the ide ntification of controls and 
indicators must be barely discernible to the driver who has ada pted to dark ambient roadway 
condition; and 
c) May be operable manually or automatically. 
Note: If the level of brightness is adjusted by automatic means to a point where those items or 
their identification are not visible to the driver, means shall be provided to enable the driver 
to restore visibility. 
5.5.3  Means shall be provided for illuminating telltales and their i dentification sufficiently to 
make them visible to the driver under daylight and nighttime dr iving conditions. 
5.5.4  The means of providing the visibility required by 5.5.3: 
a) May be adjustable manually or automatically, except that the t elltales and identification for 
brakes, high beams, turn signals, and safety belts may not be a djustable under any driving 
condition to a level that is invisible. 
5.5.5 Brightness of interior lamps 
Any source of illumination within the passenger compartment whi ch is forward of a transverse 
vertical plane 110 mm rearward of the manikin “H” point with th e driver's seat in its rearmost 
driving position, which is not used for the controls and displa ys regulated by this standard, 
which is not a telltale, and which is capable of being illumina ted while the vehicle is in motion, 
shall have either: 
a) Light intensity which is manually or automatically adjustable to provide at least two levels 
of brightness; SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31836/202 0
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 b) A single intensity that is barely discernible to a driver who has adapted to dark ambient 
roadway conditions; or 
c) A means of being turned off. 
5.5.6  The item of 5.5.5 do not apply to buses that are normally oper ated with the passenger 
compartment illuminated. 
 
5.6 Color 
5.5.1  Light of each tell-tale listed in Table 1 shall be of the colo r shown in column 6 of this 
table. 
5.5.2  Each symbol used for identification of tell-tale, control or i ndicator shall stand out clearly 
against the background. 
Note: this requirement does not apply to an identifier for a horn control in the center of the 
face plane of the steering wheel hub. 
5.5.3  The dark part of any symbol may be replaced by its outline. 
5.5.4  Indicators and tell-tales and identifications of indicators an d controls not listed in Table 
(1) may be of any color chosen by the manufacturer, however, su ch color shall not interfere 
with or mask the identification of any tell-tale, control, or i ndicator specified in Table 1, and 
color to be selected shall follow the guidelines specified in s tandard SASO GSO ISO 2575. 
 
5.7 Common Space for Displaying Multiple message s 
A common space may be used to show messages from any sources, s ubject to the following 
requirements: 
5.7.1  The tell-tales and indicators that are listed in Table (1) and  are shown in the common 
space must illuminate at the initiation of any underlying condi tion. 
5.7.2  When the underlying conditions exist for actuation of two or m ore telltales, the messages 
must be either: 
a) Repeated automatically in sequence, or 
b) Indicated by visible means and capable of being selected for v iewing by the driver under the 
conditions of 4.2 5.7.4  The telltales for any brake system malfunction required by Tab le (1) to be red, air bag 
malfunction, low tire pressure, electronic stability control ma lfunction, passenger air bag off, 
high beam, turn signal, and seat belt for front seating row sha ll not be shown in the same 
common space. 
5.7.4  If tell-tale for the brake system malfunction, high beam, turn  signal or seat belt for front 
seating row is displayed in a common space it shall displace an y other symbol in such common 
space if the underlying condition exists for its activation. 
5.7.5  The messages displayed in a common space may be cancelable aut omatically or by the 
driver, except telltales for high beams, turn signal, low tire pressure, and passenger air bag off, 
and telltales for which the color red is required in Table (1) shall not be cancelable while the 
underlying condition for their activation exists. SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31836/202 0
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No. Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6 
 
Item  Symbol 2 Words 
& 
Abbr eviations Function  Illumination  Color 
 
1. Master lighting switch 
 
Tell-tale may not act as the tell-tale 
for the position (side) lamps 
2. Headlamp passing beams 
 
 
3 Headlamp high beams 
 
 
4. Headlamp cleaning device 
(With separate operating control)  
 
1,18 
 
 
 
 
1, 6, 13,18 
 
  
1, 13, 18  
Lights Control No 
 
Tell-tale 12 Yes Green 
 
 
Control No 
 
Telltale Yes Green 
Control No  - 
Tell-tale Yes  Blue 
Control No 
5. Direction indicator  1, 3 Control No  
 
Tell-tale  Yes Green  
 
6. Hazard warning signal  Harzard Control Yes 
 
-------  Tell-tale 4 Yes Red 
1 
 
7. Front fog lamps  Control No  
 
Tell-tale  Yes Green  
1 
 
8. Rear fog lamp  Control No  
 
Tell-tale  Yes Yellow  
1 
 
9. Fuel level Tell-tale Yes Yellow 
 
or  
 18 Indicator Yes 
 
10. Engine oil pressure  
 
5, 18  
Tell-tale Yes Red 
 
Indicator  Yes 
 
11. Engine coolant temperature  5, 18 Tell-tale Yes Red 
 
 
 
12. Electrical charging condition    
18 
 
 
13. Windscreen wiping system 
(continuous)  
 
 
 
  
Wiper 
or 
Wipe  Indicator Yes 
 
Tell-tale Yes Red 
 
Indicator Yes 
 
Control Yes SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31836/202 0
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No. Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6 
  Item S y m b o l  2 Words 
& 
Abbr eviations Function Illumination Color 
14. Power window lock 
 
or   Control No  
15. Windscreen washing system 
 
 Washer 
Or 
Wash  Control Yes  
16. Windscreen washing and wiping 
system Washer -Wiper 
Or 
Wash -Wipe Control Yes  
 
 
17. Windscreen defrosting and 
defogging system 
(with separate operating control) 
 
 
 
 
 Defrost, Defog 
or 
Def. Control Yes  
Tell-tale Yes Y e l l o w  
18. Rear window defrosting  and 
defogging system 
(with separate operating control)   Rear Defrost, 
Rear Defog 
Rear Def. or 
R-Def.  Control Yes  
Tell-tale Yes Y e l l o w  
19. Position, side marker, and/or end- 
outline marker lamps  
1, 6,18 Marker Lamp 
or 
MK Lps Control No  
Tell-tale 12 Yes 6 Green 
20. Parking lamps 
 
   Control No  
  Tell-tale Yes G r e e n  
21. Safety belt reminder 
or 
  
18, 22 Fasten Belts Tell-tale Yes Red 
22 
22. Airbag mal function  
8   Tell-tale Yes Y e l l o w  
and/or Red 
23. Side airbag malfunction  
7, 8   Tell-tale Yes Yellow 
and/or Red 
24. Passenger air bag off 
   Tell-tale Yes Y e l l o w  SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31836/202 0
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No. Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6 
  Item S y m b o l  2 Words 
& 
Abbr eviations Function Illumination Color 
25. Brake system malfunction 
8 Brake Tell-tale Yes See 
Regul atio 
n Nos. 13- 
H and 13 
as 
appropria 
te 
26. Antilock brake  system malfu nction  
9 Antilock 
Anti-lock, or 
ABS  Tell-tale Yes Y e l l o w  
27. Speedometer k m / h ,  if 
kilometres are 
shown  
14 km/h  Indicator Yes  
28. Parking brake 
  9   Tell-tale Yes See 
Regulation 
Nos. 13-H 
and 13 as 
appropriate  
29. Horn 
 Horn  Control No  
30. Engine on-board  diagnostics or 
engine malfunction 
   
Tell-tale  
 
Yes  
Yellow 
31. Combustion  pre-heat; 
engine start aid 
    Tell-tale Yes Y e l l o w  
32. Choke 
(cold starting d evice)  
   
Control  
No Yellow 
33. Air Conditioning  System  
or A/C   Control Yes  
34. Automatic transmission control 
position  
P R N D 10 P 
R 
N 
D Indicator Yes  
35. Engine start 
 
 
 
11, 19 Engine start Control No  SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31836/202 0
10 
 and 
 
 
No. Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6 
  Item S y m b o l  2 Words 
& 
Abbr eviations Function Illumination Color 
36. Engine stop 
   11, 19 Engine stop Control Yes  
37. Brake lining wear-out condition  
9   Tell-tale Yes Y e l l o w  
38. Heating system    Control Yes  
39. Heating and/or air conditioning 
fan 
 1 Fan C o n t r o l  Yes  
40. Headlamp  levelli ng 
 
or 
and 
 
 
13   Control No  
41. Odometer k m ,  if 
kilometres are 
shown  
15 km,/kilometres Indicator Yes  
42a 
. Low tyre pressure 
(including malfunction)  
 
16 Low tyre 
or 
TPMS  Tell-tale Yes Y e l l o w  
42b 
. Low tyre pressure 
(including malfunction) 
that identifies affected tyre 
 
16, 17 Low tyre 
or 
TPMS  Tell-tale Yes Y e l l o w  
43. Electronic stability control 
 
 
or ESC 
17 ESC Tell-tale Yes Y e l l o w  SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31836/202 0
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No. Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6 
  Item S y m b o l  2 Words 
& 
Abbr eviations Function Illumination Color 
44. Electronic stability control system
"OFF" 
 
 
or ESC OFF 
17, 20 ESC OFF Con trol Yes  
45. Accident Emergency Call System 
(AECS)  
  
or 
 
 
  
 
21   Control Yes  
Tell-tale  
 
Table (1) - Symbols, their illumination and colors 
 
1 Framed areas of the symbol may be solid. 
2 The symbols included in this Regulation are substantially ident ical to symbols described in ISO 2575:2004. 
Proportional dimensional characteristics specified in ISO 2575: 2004 shall be maintained. 
3 The pair of arrows is a single symbol. When the controls or tel l-tales for left and right turn operate independently, 
however, the two arrows may be considered separate symbols and be spaced accordingly. 
4 Not required when arrows of turn signal tell-tales that otherwi se operate independently flash simultaneously as 
hazard warning tell-tale. 
5 Combination of the engine oil pressure symbol and the engine co olant temperature symbol in a single tell-tale is 
permitted. 
6 Separate identification not required if function is combined wi th master lighting switch. 
7 If a single tell-tale is used to indicate an airbag malfunction , the airbag malfunction symbol (22) shall be used. 
8 Contracting Parties which, at the date of coming into force of this Regulation, allowed or required the use of text 
for this function may, until sixty months after the date of com ing into force of this Regulation, continue to allow 
or require the text in addition to the prescribed symbols for v ehicles to be registered in their country. 
9 If a single tell-tale is used to indicate more than one brake s ystem condition, the brake system malfunction symbol 
shall be used. 
10  Letter "D" may be replaced or supplemented by other alphanumeri c character(s) or symbol(s) chosen by the 
manufacturer to indicate additional selection modes. 
11 Use when engine control is separate from the key locking system . 
12 Not required if instrument panel lights are lit automatically o n activation of the master lighting switch. 
13 Symbols employing five lines instead of four (and vice versa) m ay also be used. 
14 The required text identification can be displayed in uppercase and/or lowercase letters. 
15 The required text identification shall be displayed in lowercas e letters. If miles are shown, an abbreviation may 
be used. 
16 Additionally, either of the low tyre pressure tell-tales may be  used to indicate a tyre pressure monitoring system 
(TPMS) malfunction. 
17 The vehicle outline shown is not intended to be restrictive, bu t is the recommended outline. Alternative vehicle 
outlines may be used in order to better represent the actual ou tline of a given vehicle. 
18  Symbol may be shown in other colours than specified in column 5  in order to convey different meanings 
according to the general color coding as proposed in paragraph 5 of ISO 2575-2004. SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31836/202 0
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19 The functions "start" and "stop" may be combined in one control . As an alternative to the prescribed symbol(s) 
it is allowed to use the text "START" and/or "STOP" or a combin ation of symbols and text. Text can be displayed 
in uppercase and/or lowercase letters. 
20 The supplementary letters "OFF" may be positioned on or adjacen t to the outline of the symbol of item No. 43. 
The font of the letters "OFF" or "ESC OFF" is not intended to b e restrictive (Note: the letters "OFF" and "ESC 
OFF" shall be kept in English and shall not be translated). 
21 If the control is covered, the item identification shall be rep eated on this cover unless this cover is transparent. 
"SOS" shall be kept as a symbol. The telephone symbol may be re -orientated. 
22 A different symbol and colour may be used for seat row(s) other  than the front row." SASO S TANDAR D SASO/FDS 31836/202 0
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Bibliography  
 
 
 
[1] ECE 121:2015 & ECE 121:2015/Amd3:2 018 "Uniform  provisions  co ncerning  the 
approval of vehicles with regard to the location and identifica tion of hand controls, tell-tales 
and indicators". 
 
[2] 49 Subtitle B-Chapter V-Par t 571-Subpart B Section 101 
(FMVSS 571.101)  "Controls and displays".