How to Read Car Gauges

Many modern cars come equipped with warning lights, instead of gauge systems, so we have come to rely on the flashing lights to warn us of problems with our vehicles. But knowing how to properly read your car's gauges can help prevent major engine problems. These steps are a primer for reading your gauges.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Prevent speeding tickets by keeping an eye on the most used gauge, the speedometer. Remember that if tire size is different from the original tires, the speedometer will not read accurately. Replacing a transmission can also affect speedometer readings, however most shops are aware of this issue and correct the problem in the new transmission.
2. Watch your gas gauge carefully, as most carmakers manipulate the gauge to drop slowly until it passes 3/4 of a tank and then progressively faster up to the final quarter tank. Carmakers do this to give the impression that the car has better gas mileage than it actually does.
3. Monitor your temperature gauge carefully to prevent your engine from overheating. If you notice the gauge move into the red section of the gauge, the engine is overheating. Pullover to the side of the road and turn the engine off to let it cool. Overheating can cause serious damage to your engine.
4. Get the best fuel economy and best acceleration in a standard transmission by reading your tachometer, which measures how fast the engine turns in RPMs, or Revolutions Per Minute. Whether manual or automatic transmission, never run the engine so fast that the tachometer enters the red area.
5. Check the oil pressure gauge regularly, as an engine running with no oil pressure, even for less than one minute, can easily be destroyed. Ideally, the pressure will always read in the mid-range of the gauge, neither high nor low. If the pressure reads high while driving, or begins dropping below mid-line, stop the vehicle as soon as possible, turn off the engine and check the oil level.

Tips & Warnings

• The best source of information about your car's gauges is the owner's manual.