Arrows in Message area
 

I have a 2005 X5, and have a question about the status message area on the instrument panel. I'm talking about the area under the mileage indicator in the instrument panel - the area that can display a number of things like time, date, etc based on the setting of the BC button. I tend to leave it displaying the time.

I noticed today that the area, while displaying the time, has two arrows at the far left and far right - I could have sworn those arrows were not there before - it would just show the time in the middle of the status area.

Any idea what the arrows are indicating? Were they there all along and I'm mistaken about them appearing all of a sudden?

it just indicates there is a fault, push one of the black knobs (the one opposite to the trip reset - I always confuse them) and hold and it will tell you what is wrong

there is a fault. you can do what mrkbbd said or when you start up your car or turn it off, the fault message will display briefly.

Yep, thats the "check control" which tells you when you have a fluid low or bulb out... that kind of stuff. The messages will always show when you turn the ignition off. It may just be low on washer fluid.

Winner! It was "Washer Fluid Low". Thanks guys.