Checking Your Dashboard Lights

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Time Management Tools

Time management tools are supposed to help us organize and utilize the hours of our days a little better. How can we properly ...

Discover More

Hanging Blinds

Hanging blinds can often be a frustrating experience, but it doesn't have to be. There are actually several methods a person ...

Discover More

Stains vs. Sealers

Stains vs. sealers has long been a debate among those who work with wood. The truth of the matter is that both have their ...

Discover More
More Car Tips

Car Lights Don't Work

What do you do if you get in the car one day and find out that the headlights or taillights aren't working? This tip can help ...

Discover More

Replacing a Tail Light

Replacing a tail light is one of the easiest electrical jobs that you can perform on your own car. Here is how you can ...

Discover More

Fixing Brake Lights

Are you a nervous novice when it comes to automotive repair? Never fear! Develop a little confidence and you can soon be the ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is six more than 8?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Videos

Subscribe to the Tips.Net channel:

Visit the Tips.Net channel on YouTube

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2017 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.