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.

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[Lydia73]

on 10/13/2008 what dose it mean when the Trac Active sometimes gos on and trac off keeps blinkung? what do I need to fix? Please help me!

[Glory]

on 10/7/2006 What does a snowflake symbol with HOLD next to it light mean on the dashboard of a subaru legacy TSR? It's just come on in my car!

on 6/30/2006 I was only young and decided to ignore my oil light for a day. By the time I got home, my engine was ruined beyond repair.

Oh how i missed my MR2

on 11/22/2005 Peter is exactly right. By the time that little light comes on, it's usually too late. That means there is little or no oil pressure. If you keep driving for more that a few minutes like that, you risk major engine damage. Best thing to do is pull over and turn off the engine until you can have the cause checked.

on 11/22/2005 The dash light for oil is really only an indicator of low oil pressure and not of a low oil level. Check your oil with the dipstick as frequently as every gas fill-up.