How to Check Your Dash Lights

If any of your dashboard lights aren't working, you may be driving around with a problem and not know it - until you get stranded or do expensive damage to your car.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Car Mechanics
• Cars

1. Look at your dashboard before putting the key in the ignition.

2. Turn the key to the on position (not the start position) without taking your eyes off the dash lights. All the lights should light up for five or more seconds so you can check that they're working.

3. Note that the gauges (the gas gauge, temperature gauge, and possibly a charge indicator gauge instead of a battery light) can only be checked when the engine is running.

4. Visit your mechanic if you notice that one of the lights is no longer coming on.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the owner's manual to find out what dash lights your car has. Not every car has the same lights.

• There are some strange lights you may wonder about: SRS means air bag in some cars; ABS stands for anti-lock brakes; O2 stands for oxygen sensor (an emissions component); EGR stands for exhaust gas recirculation (also an emissions component); CHG stands for charge.

• Don't think, "It's just a bulb, it doesn't matter." If the oil light is not working, for example, and you unwittingly run out of oil, you will ruin your engine without any further warning.

• Never hold the key in the spring-loaded start position (when the engine goes rrr-rrr-rrr) for more than 10 to 15 seconds at a time. This could ruin the starter motor and cause your mechanic to look at you in a sad sort of way.