ISO 4040:2009

Road vehicles — Location of hand controls, indicators and tell-tales in motor vehicles

ISO 4040:2009 specifies the location of controls in motor vehicles by subdividing the space within reach of drivers into specific zones, to which certain controls essential to the safe operation of vehicles are assigned. It also specifies certain combinations of functions for multifunction controls and the degree to which certain indicators and tell-tales are to be visible. ISO 4040:2009 is applicable to hand-operated controls, to indicators and to tell-tales in all motor vehicles, excluding motorcycles and mopeds, as defined in ISO 3833.

Véhicules routiers — Emplacement des commandes manuelles, des indicateurs et des témoins sur les véhicules à moteur

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Jan-2009
• ICS: 43.040.30 - Indicating and control devices
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 22/SC 39 - Ergonomics
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 22/SC 39 - Ergonomics
• Current Stage: 9060 - Close of review
• Completion Date: 03-Mar-2028

Relations

• Revises: ISO 4040:2001 - Road vehicles — Location of hand controls, indicators and tell-tales in motor vehicles
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2008

Overview

ISO 4040:2009 - Road vehicles - Location of hand controls, indicators and tell‑tales in motor vehicles - defines ergonomic requirements for the location and visibility of hand controls, indicators and tell‑tales in motor vehicles (excluding motorcycles and mopeds). The standard subdivides the driver’s reachable space into zones and assigns essential safety controls to those zones, specifies allowed multifunction control combinations, and sets visibility requirements for critical displays and tell‑tales.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Zone-based control locations: The driver’s reach is divided into Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 3 (relative to a reference plane and steering‑wheel axis). Specific functions (e.g., headlamp switching, optical warning, turn signals) are assigned preferred zones to reduce selection errors.
• Operational areas: Defines the operational area and operational surface for hand‑operated controls and requirements for placement within the driver’s restrained/unrestrained reach (ISO 3958 referenced).
• Multifunction controls: Specifies permitted and prohibited function combinations. For example:
  • Windscreen wipe & wash (if power‑operated) must be on the same control.
  • Optical warning and headlamp beam switching must be combined.
  • Master light control must not be combined with horn, wipers, washer or turn‑signal functions (with limited exceptions).
• Display and tell‑tale visibility: Certain instruments and tell‑tales must be visible without head movement, including:
  • Speedometer display area
  • Fuel level when indicating ≤25% capacity
  • Critical indicators (engine oil pressure, coolant temperature, air brake pressure)
  • Specific tell‑tales (brake, parking brake, high beam, turn signals, seat‑belt warning, etc.)
• Stalk control modes: Preferred and to‑be‑avoided modes of operation for stalks mounted near the steering column (e.g., push vs. rotation, direction of actuation).

Practical applications

• Vehicle OEMs and interior designers use ISO 4040:2009 to design ergonomic control layouts that improve safety and reduce driver error.
• Human factors and ergonomics engineers apply the zone definitions and visibility rules when validating instrument panels and steering‑column controls.
• Test labs and certification bodies use the standard to assess compliance for hand controls, indicators and tell‑tales.
• Aftermarket and commercial‑vehicle integrators use the guidance to ensure retrofit controls meet ergonomic and visibility expectations.

Who should use this standard

• Automotive manufacturers (passenger cars, commercial vehicles, buses)
• Human factors specialists and ergonomics consultants
• Regulatory agencies, compliance testers and safety auditors
• Instrumentation and controls suppliers

Related standards

• ISO 2575 (symbols for controls, indicators and tell‑tales)
• ISO 3958 (driver hand‑control reach)
• ISO 6549 (H‑ and R‑point determination)
• ISO 3833 (vehicle type definitions)
• ISO 4513 (eyellipse/driver eye location)

Keywords: ISO 4040:2009, hand controls location, indicators and tell‑tales, vehicle ergonomics, driver controls zones, multifunction controls, display visibility.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 4040
Fifth edition
2009-02-01
Road vehicles — Location of hand
controls, indicators and tell-tales in motor
vehicles
Véhicules routiers — Emplacement des commandes manuelles, des
indicateurs et des témoins sur les véhicules à moteur

Reference number
©
ISO 2009
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©  ISO 2009
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ii © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 4040 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 22, Road vehicles, Subcommittee SC 13,
Ergonomics applicable to road vehicles.
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition (ISO 4040:2001), which has been technically revised.
Introduction
There is a recognized potential for errors in the selection of controls essential to the safe operation of a
vehicle if these controls are not found in similar locations in all vehicles. The standardization of these control
locations is therefore considered to be a logical and beneficial design objective, especially in view of the fact
that drivers have more and more opportunities to use a variety of vehicles.
iv © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 4040:2009(E)

Road vehicles — Location of hand controls, indicators and tell-
tales in motor vehicles
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies the location of controls in motor vehicles by subdividing the space within
reach of drivers into specific zones, to which certain controls essential to the safe operation of vehicles are
assigned. It also specifies certain combinations of functions for multifunction controls and the degree to which
certain indicators and tell-tales are to be visible.
This International Standard is applicable to hand-operated controls, to indicators and to tell-tales in all motor
vehicles, excluding motorcycles and mopeds, as defined in ISO 3833.
NOTE A specification for a control indicator or tell-tale does not imply that the item needs to be fitted.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 2575, Road vehicles — Symbols for controls, indicators and tell-tales
ISO 3958, Passenger cars — Driver hand-control reach
ISO 6549, Road vehicles — Procedure for H- and R-point determination
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
reference plane
vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, passing through the steering wheel axis and
within a zone 50 mm to either side of the centre of the designated seating position for the driver at the R-point
as defined in ISO 6549
3.2
operational area of control
area swept by those parts of a control activated by the hand while the possible modes or positions are
selected in the manner intended by the designer
EXAMPLE See Figure 1.
Key
1 extreme location of the control
2 operational area of the control
Figure 1 — Example of operational area of a control
3.3
display area of indicator or tell-tale
area including the identification of the quantity displayed and those portions required to determine its level at
any point within the usable capacity of the instrumentation
EXAMPLE See Figure 2.
NOTE It need not include, for example, bezels or the manufacturer's type number.

Key
1 display area used by pointer
2 display area for other information
Figure 2 — Example of display area of indicators
2 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

3.4
steering-wheel plane
plane tangential to the upper surface of the steering-wheel rim in the design condition, as designated by the
vehicle manufacturer, and with the vehicle wheels in the straight-ahead position
3.5
steering-wheel axis
line at right angles to the steering-wheel plane, passing through the centre of rotation of the steering-wheel rim
3.6
zone 1
volume to the left of the reference plane bounded by the following surfaces:
⎯ a plane parallel to the steering-wheel plane and 20 mm above it;
⎯ a plane parallel to the steering-wheel plane and 170 mm below it;
⎯ a cylinder extending 100 mm beyond the periphery of the steering-wheel rim whose axis is on the
steering-wheel axis;
⎯ a cylinder lying 130 mm inside the periphery of the steering-wheel rim whose axis is on the steering-
wheel axis;
⎯ two planes intersecting along the steering-wheel axis, at 40° and 130° from the reference plane
NOTE See Figure 3.
3.7
zone 2
volume bounded by the following surfaces:
⎯ a plane parallel to the steering-wheel plane and 20 mm above it;
⎯ a plane parallel to the steering-wheel plane and 170 mm below it;
⎯ a cylinder of 50 mm radius whose axis is on the steering-wheel axis
NOTE See Figure 3.
3.8
zone 3
volume to the right of the reference plane bounded by the following surfaces:
⎯ a plane parallel to the steering-wheel plane and 20 mm above it;
⎯ a plane parallel to the steering-wheel plane and 170 mm below it;
⎯ a cylinder extending 100 mm beyond the periphery of the steering-wheel rim whose axis is on the
steering-wheel axis;
⎯ a cylinder lying 130 mm inside the periphery of the steering-wheel rim whose axis is on the steering-
wheel axis;
⎯ two planes intersecting along the steering-wheel axis at 40° and 130° from the reference plane
NOTE See Figure 3.
Dimensions in millimetres
a
Steering-wheel axis.
b
Steering-wheel plane.
Figure 3 — Location of zones
3.9
visible
seen with either eye, not necessarily with both eyes simultaneously, from all positions within the 95th
percentile eyellipses, with the gear selector in top gear or drive position and the steering wheel in the straight-
ahead position adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer's specification
NOTE See ISO 4513.
3.10
head movement
movement required to overcome a geometric obstruction
NOTE For the purposes of this International Standard, this does not include movement when the target is more than
30° from the line of sight.
4 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

3.11
identification
symbol in accordance with ISO 2575, written label or some portion of the pointer and scale by which a driver
can distinguish the characteristic displayed by the control, indicator or tell-tale
3.12
passive restraint readiness indicator
tell-tale or indicator indicating a malfunction that will prevent or impede the operation of a passive restraint in
the
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