What is the difference between a steady lamp and a flashing one?

Steady means the battery is too hot and the car should be stopped to cool. Flashing means leave the vehicle as soon as it is parked safely.

Should I open the bonnet and look at the battery?

No. The traction battery is not a part to inspect at the roadside. Keep away from orange high-voltage cables and wait for someone equipped to handle the car.

High-voltage battery overheating

Atto 3

Color: Red
Urgency: Immediate

Most lamps light for a few seconds when you power the car on. That check is not a fault by itself. This page does not replace the owner’s manual for your model year and market.

What it means

The traction battery is too hot. A steady lamp means you should stop and let it cool. A flashing lamp is more urgent: leave the car once it is parked. Long climbs in hot weather, and long spells of stop-start traffic with hard acceleration and braking, are conditions that can bring this warning on.

What to do

Park clear of other vehicles and of anything that can burn. If the lamp is flashing, get everyone out and keep a distance. Do not open high-voltage parts or touch orange cables. Call for help from outside the car and wait until the pack has cooled before anyone moves it.

Related lamps

Common questions

What is the difference between a steady lamp and a flashing one?: Steady means the battery is too hot and the car should be stopped to cool. Flashing means leave the vehicle as soon as it is parked safely.
Should I open the bonnet and look at the battery?: No. The traction battery is not a part to inspect at the roadside. Keep away from orange high-voltage cables and wait for someone equipped to handle the car.