Amber light
Reduced Power Warning (Turtle)
The hybrid or electric drive system is limiting power, usually because the battery is very low, too hot or too cold, or a fault was detected.
High risk
Drive carefully and avoid overtaking. Find out why power is limited and charge or have the car checked.
Short answer · Why is the turtle light on in my electric car?
The car is protecting its battery or drive system by limiting power. Common reasons are a very low battery, extreme battery temperature or a stored fault. Acceleration is weaker, so plan manoeuvres carefully and charge or have the car checked.
What to do
- Drive carefullyExpect weak acceleration and avoid overtaking.
- Check the charge levelIf the battery is very low, charge as soon as possible.
- Let temperatures settleAfter hard driving or in extreme weather, power may return once the battery temperature normalises.
- Have faults readIf the light stays on with a charged battery, a workshop reads the stored codes.
How is the light behaving?
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Steady | Power is limited | Drive carefully and find the cause |
| Flashing | Power limited because of a fault | Stop safely when possible and have it checked |
Possible causes
- Very low battery chargePower is limited to protect the battery.
- Battery too hot or too coldExtreme temperatures limit available power.
- Drive system faultA motor, inverter or battery fault was stored.
- Low 12-volt batteryCan cause several drive system warnings.
Don't confuse it with
Questions about Reduced Power Warning (Turtle)
Is the turtle light the same as limp mode?
It is similar: the car limits power to protect itself. On electric cars it is often shown as a turtle symbol.
Will the light go out after charging?
If low charge was the cause, yes. Otherwise the fault needs checking.