[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 49, Volume 6] [Revised as of October 1, 2005] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 49CFR571.101] [Page 213-227] TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION OF TRANSPORTATION PART 571_FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents Subpart B_Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Sec. 571.101 Standard No. 101; Controls and displays. Source: 36 FR 22902, Dec. 2, 1971, unless otherwise noted. S1. Scope. This standard specifies requirements for the location, identification, and illumination of motor vehicle controls and displays. S2. Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to ensure the accessibility and visibility of motor vehicle controls and displays and to facilitate their selection under daylight and nighttime conditions, in order to reduce the safety hazards caused by the diversion of the driver's attention from the driving task, and by mistakes in selecting controls. S3. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses. S4. Definitions. Telltale means a display that indicates the actuation of a device, a correct or defective functioning or condition, or a failure to function. Gauge means a display that is listed in S5.1 or in Table 2 and is not a telltale. S5 Requirements. Each passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck and bus manufactured with any control listed in S5.1 or in column 1 of Table 1, and each passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle and truck or bus less than 4,536 kg. GVWR with any display listed in S5.1 or in column 1 of Table 2, shall meet the requirements of this standard for the location, identification, and illumination of such control or display. [[Page 214]] S5.1 Location. Under the conditions of S6, each of the following controls that is furnished shall be operable by the driver and each of the following displays that is furnished shall be visible to the driver. Under the conditions of S6, telltales are considered visible when activated. Hand-Operated Controls (a) Steering wheel. (b) Horn. (c) Ignition. (d) Headlamp. (e) Taillamp. (f) Turn signal. (g) Illumination intensity. (h) Windshield wiper. (i) Windshield washer. (j) Manual transmission shift lever, except transfer case. (k) Windshield defrosting and defogging system. (l) Rear window defrosting and defogging system. (m) Manual choke. (n) Driver's sun visor. (o) Automatic vehicle speed system. (p) Highbeam. (q) Hazard warning signal. (r) Clearance lamps. (s) Hand throttle. (t) Identification lamps. Foot-Operated Controls (a) Service brake. (b) Accelerator. (c) Clutch. (d) Highbeam. (e) Windshield washer. (f) Windshield wiper. Displays (a) Speedometer. (b) Turn signal. (c) Gear position. (d) Brake failure warning. (e) Fuel. (f) Engine coolant temperature. (g) Oil. (h) Highbeam. (i) Electrical charge. S5.2 Identification. S5.2.1 Vehicle controls shall be identified as follows: (a) Except as specified in S5.2.1(b), any hand-operated control listed in column 1 of Table 1 that has a symbol designated for it in column 3 of that table shall be identified by either the symbol designated in column 3 (or symbol substantially similar in form to that shown in column 3) or the word or abbreviation shown in column 2 of that table. Any such control for which no symbol is shown in Table 1 shall be identified by the word or abbreviation shown in column 2. Words or symbols in addition to the required symbol, word or abbreviation may be used at the manufacturer's discretion for the purpose of clarity. Any such control for which column 2 of Table 1 and/or column 3 of Table 1 specifies ``Mfr. Option'' shall be identified by the manufacturer's choice of a symbol, word or abbreviation, as indicated by that specification in column 2 and/or column 3. The identification shall be placed on or adjacent to the control. The identification shall, under the conditions of S6, be visible to the driver and, except as provided in S5.2.1.1, S5.2.1.2, and S5.2.1.3, appear to the driver perceptually upright. (b) S5.2.1(a) does not apply to a turn signal control which is operated in a plane essentially parallel to the face plane of the steering wheel in its normal driving position and which is located on the left side of the steering column so that it is the control on that side of the column nearest to the steering wheel face plane. S5.2.1.1 The identification of the following need not appear to the driver perceptually upright: (a) A master lighting switch or headlamp and tail lamp control that adjusts control and display illumination by means of rotation, or any other rotating control that does not have an off position. (b) A horn control. S5.2.1.2 The identification of a rotating control other than one described by S5.2.1.1 shall appear to the driver perceptually upright when the control is in the off position. S5.2.1.3 The identification of an automatic vehicle speed control located on the steering wheel, including the steering wheel hub and spokes, need not appear to the driver perceptually upright except when the vehicle, aligned to the manufacturer's specifications, has its wheels positioned for the vehicle to travel in a straight forward direction. S5.2.2 Identification shall be provided for each function of any automatic vehicle speed system control and [[Page 215]] any heating and air conditioning system control, and for the extreme positions of any such control that regulates a function over a quantitative range. If this identification is not specified in Table 1 or 2, it shall be in word or symbol form unless color coding is used. If color coding is used to identify the extreme positions of a temperature control, the hot extreme shall be identified by the color red and the cold extreme by the color blue. Example 1. A slide lever controls the temperature of the air in the vehicle heating system over a continuous range, from no heat to maximum heat. Since the control regulates a single function over a quantitative range, only the extreme positions require identification. Example 2. A switch has three positions, for heat, defrost, and air conditioning. Since each position regulates a different function, each position must be identified. S5.2.3 Except for the Low Tire Pressure Telltale, any display located within the passenger compartment and listed in column 1 of Table 2 that has a symbol designated in column 4 of that table shall be identified by either the symbol designated in column 4 (or symbol substantially similar in form to that shown in column 4) or the word or abbreviation shown in column 3. 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 pressure) shall be identified by the appropriate symbol designated in column 4, or both the symbol in column 4 and the words in column 3. Additional words or symbols may be used at the manufacturer's discretion for the purpose of clarity. Any telltales used in conjunction with a gauge need not be identified. The identification required or permitted by this section shall be placed on or adjacent to the display that it identifies. The identification of any display shall, under the conditions of S6, be visible to the driver and appear to the driver perceptually upright. S5.3 Illumination. S5.3.1 Except for foot-operated controls or hand-operated controls mounted upon the floor, floor console, or steering column, or in the windshield header area, the identification required by S5.2.1 or S5.2.2 of any control listed in column 1 of Table 1 and accompanied by the word ``yes'' in the corresponding space in column 4 shall be capable of being illuminated whenever the headlights are activated. However, control identification for a heating and air-conditioning system need not be illuminated if the system does not direct air directly upon windshield. If a gauge is listed in column 1 of Table 2 and accompanied by the word ``yes'' in column 5, then the gauge and its identification required by S5.2.3 shall be illuminated whenever the ignition switch and/or the headlamps are activated. Controls, gauges, and their identifications need not be illuminated when the headlamps are being flashed. A telltale shall not emit light except when identifying the malfunction or vehicle condition for whose indication it is designed or during a bulb check upon vehicle starting. S5.3.2. Each telltale shall be of the color shown in column 2 of Table 2. The identification of each telltale shall be in a color that contrasts with the background. S5.3.3 (a) Means shall be provided for making controls, gauges, and the identification of those items visible to the driver under all driving conditions. (b) The means for providing the required visibility-- (1) Shall be adjustable to provide at least two levels of brightness, one of which is barely discernible to a driver who has adapted to dark ambient roadway conditions. (2) May be operable manually or automatically, and (3) May have levels of brightness at which those items and identification are not visible. (c) 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, a means shall be provided to enable the driver to restore visibility. S5.3.4 (a) Means shall be provided that are capable of making telltales and their identification visible to the driver under all driving conditions. (b) The means for providing the required visibility may be adjustable manually or automatically, except that the telltales and identification for brakes, highbeams, turn signals, and safety belts may not be adjustable [[Page 216]] under any driving condition to a level that is invisible. S5.3.5 Any source of illumination within the passenger compartment which is forward of a transverse vertical plane 110 mm rearward of the manikin ``H'' point with the driver's seat in its rearmost driving position, which is not used for the controls and displays regulated by this standard, which is not a telltale, and which is capable of being illuminated while the vehicle is in motion, shall have either (1) light intensity which is manually or automatically adjustable to provide at least two levels of brightness, (2) a single intensity that is barely discernible to a driver who has adapted to dark ambient roadway conditions, or (3) a means of being turned off. This requirement does not apply to buses that are normally operated with the passenger compartment illuminated. S5.4 A common space may be used to display messages from any sources, subject to the following requirements: (a) The telltales for the brake, high beam, and turn signal, and the safety belt telltale required by S4.5.3.3 of Standard No. 208 may not be shown on the common space. (b) Except as provided in S5.4(e), the telltales listed in Table 2 shall be displayed at the initiation of any underlying condition. (c) When the underlying condition exists for actuation of two or more messages, the messages shall be either-- (1) Repeated automatically in sequence, or (2) Indicated by visible means and capable of being selected by the driver for viewing. (d) Messages may be cancellable automatically or by the driver. (e) The safety belt telltale must be displayed and visible during the time specified in S7.3 of Standard No. 208. S6. Conditions. The driver is restrained by the crash protection equipment installed in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 571.208 of this part (Standard No. 208), adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. [[Page 217]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR24SE98.032 [[Page 218]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR08AP05.000 [[Page 219]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR08AP05.001 [43 FR 27542, June 26, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 55583, Sept. 27, 1979; 45 FR 71804, Oct. 30, 1980; 47 FR 2998, Jan. 21, 1982; 49 FR 30196, July 27, 1984; 50 FR 23431, June 4, 1985; 52 FR 3247, Feb. 3, 1987; 52 FR 7157, Mar. 9, 1987; 52 FR 19874, May 28, 1987; 52 FR 33417, Sept. 3, 1987; 56 FR 51848, Oct. 16, 1991; 60 FR 63977, Dec. 13, 1995; 62 FR 32542, 32543, June 16, 1997; 63 FR 28926, May 27, 1998; 63 FR 50997, Sept. 24, 1998; 65 FR 30916, May 15, 2000; 65 FR 30916, May 15, 2000; 67 FR 38743, June 5, 2002; 68 FR 65406, Nov. 20, 2003; 70 FR 18184, Apr. 8, 2005] [[Page 220]] Effective Date Note: At 70 FR 48305, Aug. 17, 2005, Sec. 571.101 was revised, effective Feb. 13, 2006. For the convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth as follows: Sec. 571.101 Standard No. 101, Controls, telltales, and indicators. S1. Scope. This standard specifies performance requirements for location, identification, color, and illumination of motor vehicle controls, telltales and indicators. S2. Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to ensure the accessibility, visibility and recognition of motor vehicle controls, telltales and indicators, and to facilitate the proper selection of controls under daylight and nighttime conditions, in order to reduce the safety hazards caused by the diversion of the driver's attention from the driving task, and by mistakes in selecting controls. S3. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses. S4. Definitions. Adjacent, with respect to a control, telltale or indicator, and its identifier 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 identifier identifies. Common space means an area on which more than one telltale, indicator, identifier, or other message may be displayed, but not simultaneously. Control means the hand-operated part of a device that enables the driver to change the state or functioning of the vehicle or a vehicle subsystem. Indicator means a device that shows the magnitude of the physical characteristics that the instrument is designed to sense. Identifier means a symbol, word, or words used to identify a control, telltale, or indicator. Multi-function control means a control through which the driver may select, and affect the operation of, more than one vehicle function. Multi-task display means a display on which more than one message can be shown simultaneously. Telltale means an optical signal that, when illuminated, indicates the actuation of a device, a correct or improper functioning or condition, or a failure to function. S5. Requirements. Each passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck and bus that is fitted with a control, a telltale or an indicator listed in Table 1 or Table 2 must meet the requirements of this standard for the location, identification, color, and illumination of that control, telltale or indicator. However, the requirements for telltales and indicators do not apply to vehicles with GVWRs of 4,536 kg or greater if these specified vehicles are manufactured before September 1, 2013. S5.1 Location S5.1.1 The controls listed in Table 1 and in Table 2 must be located so they are operable by the driver under the conditions of S5.6.2. S5.1.2 The telltales and indicators listed in Table 1 and Table 2 and their identification must be located so that, when activated, they are visible to a driver under the conditions of S5.6.1 and S5.6.2. S5.1.3 Except as provided in S5.1.4, the identification for controls, telltales and indicators must be placed on or adjacent to the telltale, indicator or control that it identifies. S5.1.4 The requirement of S5.1.3 does not apply to a multi-function control, provided the multi-function control is associated with a multi- task display that: (a) Is visible to the driver under the conditions of S5.6.1 and S5.6.2, (b) Identifies the multi-function control with which it is associated graphically or using words, (c) For multi-task displays with layers, identifies on the top-most layer each system for which control is possible from the associated multi-function control, including systems not otherwise regulated by this standard. Subfunctions of the available systems need not be shown on the top-most layer of the multi-task display, and (d) Identifies the controls of Table 1 and Table 2 with the identification specified in those tables or otherwise required by this standard, whenever those are the active functions of the multi-function control. For lower levels of multi-task displays with layers, identification is permitted but not required for systems not otherwise regulated by this standard. (e) Does not display telltales listed in Table 1 or Table 2. S5.2 Identification S5.2.1 Except for the Low Tire Pressure Telltale, each control, telltale and indicator that is listed in column 1 of Table 1 or Table 2 must be identified by the symbol specified for it in column 2 or the word or abbreviation specified for it in column 3 of Table 1 or Table 2. If a symbol is used, each symbol provided pursuant to this paragraph must have the proportional dimensional characteristics of the symbol as it appears in Table 1 or Table 2. 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 pressure) shall be identified by the appropriate symbol designated in column 4, or both the symbol in [[Page 221]] column 4 and the words in column 3. No identification is required for any horn (i.e., audible warning signal) that is activated by a lanyard or for a turn signal control that is operated in a plane essentially parallel to the face plane of the steering wheel in its normal driving position and which is located on the left side of the steering column so that it is the control on that side of the column nearest to the steering wheel face plane. S5.2.2 Any symbol, word, or abbreviation not shown in Table 1 or Table 2 may be used to identify a control, a telltale or an indicator that is not listed in those tables. S5.2.3 Supplementary symbols, words, or abbreviations may be used at the manufacturer's discretion in conjunction with any symbol, word, or abbreviation specified in Table 1 or Table 2. S5.2.4 [Reserved] S5.2.5 A single symbol, word, or abbreviation may be used to identify any combination of the control, indicator, and telltale for the same function. S5.2.6 Except as provided in S5.2.7, all identifications of telltales, indicators and controls listed in Table 1 or Table 2 must appear to the driver to be perceptually upright. A rotating control that has an ``off'' position shall appear to the driver perceptually upright when the rotating control is in the ``off'' position. S5.2.7 The identification of the following items need not appear to the driver to be perceptually upright: (a) A horn control; (b) Any control, telltale or indicator located on the steering wheel, 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. S5.2.8 Each control for an automatic vehicle speed system (cruise control) and each control for heating and air conditioning systems must have identification provided for each function of each such system. S5.2.9 Each control that regulates a system function over a continuous range must have identification provided for the limits of the adjustment range of that function. If color coding is used to identify the limits of the adjustment range of a temperature function, the hot limit must be identified by the color red and the cold limit by the color blue. If the status or limit of a function is shown by a display not adjacent to the control for that function, both the control (unless it is a multi-function control complying with S5.1.4) and the display must be independently identified as to the function of the control, in compliance with S5.2.1, on or adjacent to the control and on or adjacent to the display. Example 1. A slide lever controls the temperature of the air in the vehicle heating system over a continuous range, from no heat to maximum heat. Since the control regulates a single function over a quantitative range, only the extreme positions require identification. Example 2. A switch has three positions, for heat, defrost, and air conditioning. Since each position regulates a different function, each position must be identified. S5.3 Illumination S5.3.1 Timing of illumination (a) Except as provided in S5.3.1(c), the identifications of controls for which the word ``Yes'' is specified in column 5 of Table 1 must be capable of being illuminated whenever the headlamps are activated. This requirement does not apply to a control located on the floor, floor console, steering wheel, steering column, or in the area of windshield header, or to a control for a heating and air-conditioning system that does not direct air upon the windshield. (b) Except as provided in S5.3.1(c), the indicators and their identifications for which the word ``Yes'' is specified in column 5 of Table 1 must be illuminated whenever the vehicle's propulsion system and headlamps are activated. (c) 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. (d) At the manufacturer's option, any control, indicator, or their identifications may be capable of being illuminated at any time. (e) A telltale must not emit light except when identifying the malfunction or vehicle condition it is designed to indicate, or during a bulb check. S5.3.2 Brightness of illumination of controls and indicators S5.3.2.1 Means must be provided for illuminating the indicators, identifications of indicators and identifications of controls listed in Table 1 to make them visible to the driver under daylight and nighttime driving conditions. S5.3.2.2 The means of providing the visibility required by S5.3.2.1: (a) Must be adjustable to provide at least two levels of brightness; (b) At the lower level of brightness, the identification of controls and indicators must be barely discernible to the driver who has adapted to dark ambient roadway condition; (c) May be operable manually or automatically; and [[Page 222]] (d) May have levels of brightness at which those items and identification are not visible. (1) 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. S5.3.3 Brightness of telltale illumination (a) Means must be provided for illuminating telltales and their identification sufficiently to make them visible to the driver under daylight and nighttime driving conditions. (b) The means for providing the required visibility may be adjustable manually or automatically, except that the telltales and identification for brakes, highbeams, turn signals, and safety belts may not be adjustable under any driving condition to a level that is invisible. S5.3.4 Brightness of interior lamps Any source of illumination that is: (a) Within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle; (b) Located in front of a transverse vertical plane 110 mm behind the H-point of the driver's seat while in its rearmost driving position; (c) Capable of being activated while the motor vehicle is in motion; and (d) Neither a telltale nor a source of illumination used for the controls and indicators listed in Table 1 or Table 2, must have a means for the driver to turn off that source under the conditions of S5.6.2. S5.3.5 The provisions of S5.3.4 do not apply to buses that are normally operated with the passenger compartment illuminated. S5.4 Color S5.4.1 The light of each telltale listed in Table 1 must be of the color specified for that telltale in column 6 of that table. S5.4.2 Any indicator or telltale not listed in Table 1 and any identification of that indicator or telltale must not be a color that masks the driver's ability to recognize any telltale, control, or indicator listed in Table 1. S5.4.3 Each symbol used for the identification of a telltale, control or indicator must be in a color that stands out clearly against the background. S5.4.4 The filled-in part of any symbol in Table 1 or Table 2 may be replaced by its outline and the outline of any symbol in Table 1 or Table 2 may be filled in. S5.5 Common space for displaying multiple messages S5.5.1 A common space may be used to show messages from any sources, subject to the requirements in S5.5.2 through S5.5.6. S5.5.2 The telltales for any brake system malfunction, the air bag malfunction, the side air bag malfunction, low tire pressure, passenger air bag off, high beam, turn signal, and seat belt must not be shown in the same common space. S5.5.3 The telltales and indicators that are listed in Table 1 and are shown in the common space must illuminate at the initiation of any underlying condition. S5.5.4 Except as provided in S5.5.5, when the underlying conditions exist for actuation of two or more telltales, the messages must be either: (a) Repeated automatically in sequence, or (b) Indicated by visible means and capable of being selected for viewing by the driver under the conditions of S5.6.2. S5.5.5 In the case of the telltale for a brake system malfunction, air bag malfunction, side air bag malfunction, low tire pressure, passenger air bag off, high beam, turn signal, or seat belt that is designed to display in a common space, that telltale must displace any other symbol or message in that common space while the underlying condition for the telltale's activation exists. S5.5.6(a) Except as provided in S5.5.6(b), messages displayed in a common space may be cancelable automatically or by the driver. (b) 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 must not be cancelable while the underlying condition for their activation exists. S5.6 Conditions S5.6.1 The driver has adapted to the ambient light roadway conditions. S5.6.2 The driver is restrained by the seat belts installed in accordance with 49 CFR 571.208 and adjusted in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's instructions. [[Page 223]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17AU05.003 [[Page 224]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17AU05.004 [[Page 225]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17AU05.005 [[Page 226]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17AU05.006 [[Page 227]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17AU05.007 [[Page 228]]