Peugeot 308 green, blue and grey indicator lamps explained, from Stop & Start and e-SAVE to Matrix LED, seat belt status and main beam.
Not every lamp on your Peugeot 308's dashboard is a warning. Green, blue and white/grey symbols mostly confirm that something is switched on: your lights, a driver assistance system or a hybrid feature. Knowing them means you won't worry over a symbol that's simply doing its job. This guide covers the indicator lamps on the third-generation 308 hatchback and SW (2021 on), with the official Peugeot 308 owner's handbook as our reference.
The 308 is offered with petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric power, so some lamps below only apply to certain versions. We've labelled them.
Scroll the table sideways.
| Indicator | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Stop & Start | Engine stopped by Stop & Start |
| Vehicle Ready to Drive (Plug-in Hybrid) | Ready to drive (hybrid/electric) |
| Seat Empty / Seat Belt Unfastened | Seat empty or belt unfastened |
| Seat Occupied / Seat Belt Fastened | Seat occupied, belt fastened |
| Direction Indicators | Indicators on |
| Daytime Running Lamps / Sidelamps | Daytime running lamps or sidelights on |
| Dipped Beam Headlamps | Dipped headlights on |
| PEUGEOT Matrix LED Technology 2.0 | Matrix LED headlights ready or working |
| Automatic Main Beam | Automatic main beam active |
| Main Beam Headlamps | Main beam on |
| Foot on the Brake | Press the brake pedal |
| e-SAVE Function (Plug-in Hybrid) | e-SAVE electric range reserved |
With no engine noise, it's not always obvious that a plug-in hybrid or electric Peugeot is on. This lamp, with a chime, confirms the car is ready to drive (and on electric versions that heating and cooling are available). It goes out above about 3 mph (5 km/h), comes back when you stop, and goes off when you switch off and get out.
A grey seat symbol on the seat belt display means that seat is detected as empty, or the belt isn't fastened. If someone is sitting there, check their belt.
This seat symbol confirms the person in that seat has fastened their belt.
The green arrows flash, with a ticking sound, when you indicate. If an arrow flashes noticeably faster than usual, a bulb or LED on that side has probably failed. Check it, because a faulty indicator is an MOT failure in the UK.
On newer models, one lamp covers both: in good light it shows that the daytime running lamps are on; in poor light it shows that the sidelamps are on. Daytime running lamps don't light up the rear of the car on many models, so switch on dipped beam in rain or fog.
Dipped beam (low beam) is on. This is the normal setting for driving at night and in poor visibility. On cars with automatic lighting, it switches on by itself when it gets dark.
This lamp shows automatic main beam is switched on (activated via the touch screen, with the lighting stalk set to AUTO). A windscreen camera switches between main and dipped beam depending on traffic and street lighting. You can override it at any time.
The blue lamp shows your main beam (high beam) is on. Dip it for oncoming traffic and when you're following another car, so you don't dazzle the driver.
This lamp is a reminder to press the brake pedal. You'll typically see it when you try to move the gear selector out of P or N, or release the parking brake, without your foot on the brake. Press the brake firmly and try again.
On plug-in hybrids, e-SAVE holds back part of the battery's charge for later. With the lamp on, the display shows how much electric range is being saved. A typical use is to drive on petrol on the motorway and keep the battery for zero-emission driving in town or in a clean-air zone at the end of your trip.
If a symbol you don't recognise appears in red or orange, it's a warning rather than an indicator. Check the other guides in this series, or the handbook, before you assume it's harmless.
See our red warning lights, orange warning lights and what every 308 warning light means. For the bigger picture, read our Peugeot 308 review.
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