Checking Your Dashboard Lights
Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated May 28, 2010)
We can easily tell when our headlights or taillights stop working; after all it is pretty easy to see when they don't come on when they are supposed to. Fixing those lights is almost as easy as it is to check them. The lights that can actually be more problematic are those found on the dashboard.
The lights on the dashboard are designed to let us know when there is something wrong with the engine. From the engine's performance to the oil pressure, these lights are an important safety feature of your car. You can examine your lights by simply following this simple how-to. In the long run doing this is going to help you save some serious money, as well as any possible embarrassment.
- Owner's manual. Check your owner's manual to see what type of lights your dashboard should have. If you don't have your owner's manual, you can request one from the manufacturer. Many repair manuals can also provide this information.
- Turn on. Turn your car's engine on and make sure the lights that are supposed to come on actually do come on. Your owner's manual should have a list of what lights are supposed to come on and for how long.
- Run. Allow your car to run for a while to make sure that the lights that are supposed to turn off do so. All lights that are supposed to turn off, should within about five minutes.
- Turn off. Turn your car off, and make note of any and all lights that came on and refused to turn off when they were supposed to. At the same time make note of any lights that are still on after you have turned the car off.
- Repair. Take your car and list of problematic lights to your local mechanic. This repair job should not take very long, and will most likely not cost more than $100.00 for parts and labor.
Author Bio
Lee Wyatt
Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. Learn more about Lee...
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