What Does Warning Light "Check Gauge" Mean?

An example of gauges on a dashboard.

Anyone who has driven an automobile has probably encountered the Check Gauge light at some time. The light alerts drivers to check surrounding gauges, such as oil, battery and gas.

Location

The Check Gauge light is located on the dashboard. This area is also known as the instrument panel. How the dashboard looks and what gauges are included will vary by the type and brand of vehicle you are driving. Gauges that usually make up the panel watch the amount of oil, gas and battery power, in addition to the engine.

What To Do

When you notice the Check Gauge light is on don't panic. Pull over to a safe spot, well lit at night, and look over the dashboard gauges. One of the other gauge lights should be lit. That will be what the Check Gauge light was warning you about. It could be as simple as you are running out of gas or as serious as your engine is having problems. Decide at this point based on the gauge type if it is something you can handle yourself like amount of gas. Serious problems might require a immediate towing and service.

False Warning

If no other gauge is lit, consider having your vehicle checked out by a certified mechanic to see if there is some sort of problem with wiring. There may also really be a problem with the car that is not showing up properly.

References

• Driver's Ed Guru : Yes, Those Gauges On Your Dash Are Important
• Family Car : Dashboard Gauges