Modern vehicles always warn the driver about impending danger and can even take partial control in emergencies. ABS helps retain wheel traction during sudden braking, while cruise control allows you to easily maintain a constant speed.
The instrument panel is another very important safety system. It contains a series of lights and various other devices, which can tell you much about your vehicle’s current status. However, you need to know which gauge shows the information you need, and it can quickly become confusing if you’ve just got your license.
So, let’s dive in and find out exactly what your dashboard shows.
The instrument panel is the portion of the dashboard which sits behind the steering wheel. It houses various gauges and lights which update the driver on the vehicle’s status. As a driver, you should always pay attention to it to avoid dangerous situations.
The instrument panel warns you about traction control issues, low or high engine temperature, fuel reserves, and much more. It helps to react appropriately to any issues that arise, giving drive ample time to address them.
Explaining just what kind of nooks and crannies the panel has may take some time. So, we went ahead and picked the most common elements that you should always look at.
This particular gauge displays the rotation of the engine’s crankshaft in revolutions per minute (RPM). It can be dial analog or digital, depending on the vehicle. The numbers on the dial usually range from one to seven.
The tachometer’s job is to assist the driver of a manual vehicle in selecting the correct gear. Generally, you must shift up a gear when it reads 3,000 RPM and do the opposite when you see 1,000 RPM. Automatic vehicles don’t rely on the gauge, but some models still have it installed if the driver can switch to manual.
The top of the tachometer features a red section, which is the “danger zone”. If the needle is in the red constantly or frequently, your engine is in trouble and overheating.
Being the most common gauge, it is usually to the right or the left of your tachometer. As is evident from the name, it shows the vehicle’s speed in miles per hour (mph). You should frequently glance at your speedometer to comply with traffic laws and maintain control on difficult terrain or road segments.
The odometer is always near the speedometer. It shows you the total number of miles traveled since you started driving the car. While the main gauge can never be reset, there’s usually a separate one that allows you to do that and measure the miles and fuel use.
This gauge shows you how much fuel is left in your vehicle. Take note that it only works when your engine is running. Just as with the tachometer, there’s a red section at the bottom, and it’s a good practice to refuel each time the need enters this zone.
Persistently low fuel levels can cause troubles with the gas pump and fuel filter, or clog up fuel lines in older vehicles, causing unnecessary expenditures.
Not all vehicles have this particular gauge, but if yours does, know it indicates the current engine temperature. Alternatively, all panels should have a designated light to warn you about engine temperature issues.
The most common issue with engines is overheating, so if you notice that the needle moves into the red zone, stop driving and find a safe area to park. When you turn off the engine, don’t proceed to tinker with it or check coolant levels. You will risk getting sprayed with boiling coolant. Instead, shift into neutral and press the gas pedal to rev it. Turn off the air conditioner and switch the in-car heating on to draw away excess heat.
The last essential elements on your panel include turn indicators, gear display, and warning lights. The first come in the shape of arrows and light up whenever your turn signal is active. Gear Display shows the car's current gear and is commonly found in vehicles with automatic transmissions.
But when it comes to warning lights, things are not that simple. Modern vehicles have various features like ESC and ABS pre-installed, not to mention the more standard components or elements. The lights will warn you if something requires your attention when it comes to both these systems and things such as the engine, headlights, temperature, etc.
Not all the lights immediately spell trouble for the driver, but it never hurts to be careful. As there are too many of them to cover, it would be best for you to search for information yourself if you didn’t know what indicates what already.
As you’re likely to experience at least a couple of car issues throughout your lifetime, paying attention to your dashboard is an excellent idea. It shows you the speed, engine temperature, fuel level, and crankshaft rotation and indicates if something is wrong with the vehicle’s components or elements.
Be a responsible driver, and take care of your vehicle at all times, so as not to endanger anyone else on the road with you.
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