TS 2559

TS 2559 is a graphic-symbols standard for road vehicles, covering the symbols used for controls, indicators, and tell-tales. In vehicle interiors, clear and consistent symbols help the driver identify a control or understand a status or warning signal quickly, without needing to rely on text. The technical subject of this standard is the common visual language used on road-vehicle interfaces.

How control, indicator, and tell-tale symbols function

In general technical use, control symbols identify a switch or operating function, indicators show the state of a vehicle system, and tell-tales are usually illuminated or visual signals that communicate activation, malfunction, or warning conditions. This distinction matters because the same vehicle function may be presented in different ways across dashboards, switches, and signal lamps. TS 2559 addresses that symbol set at a common level, helping standardize how those functions are represented to users.

Why the symbol set matters in practice

• Supports a consistent graphic language across vehicle controls and displays.
• Helps drivers recognize functions and status messages more quickly.
• Improves the understandability of symbols across different vehicle types.
• Provides a shared vocabulary aligned with the broader field of graphic symbols.

For road-vehicle design, this kind of standard is closely connected to ergonomics, instrument-panel layout, and human-machine communication. It serves as a visual reference framework for symbols rather than a description of the vehicle systems themselves.