When you own a car, you need to stay on top of maintenance and repairs. Part of that involves watching your dashboard warning lights. If you're like many people, you don't pay much attention to those lights. But, there are some lights that you shouldn't ignore. Read the list provided below. Here are three dashboard lights that shouldn't be ignored. If any of these lights come on, it's time to have your car serviced.
Temperature Gauge
When it comes to your vehicle warning lights, there's one that you need to really focus on. That's the temperature gauge. When the temperature gauge lights up, you need to act as fast as possible. That gauge only lights up when your car is overheating. Unfortunately, if your car overheats for too long, you can ruin the engine. If you see your temperature gauge light up, the first thing you need to do is turn the air conditioner off. Next, turn the heater on. Finally, pull to the side of the road, and call for assistance. If possible, have your car towed to the nearest repair shop for servicing.
Charging System
If you've never seen all the dashboard lights, it's time to read the owner's manual. There's one light that looks like a battery. That's the light that monitors your charging system. When your car is running properly, you'll only see that for a few seconds when you start the engine. But, if that icon lights up while you're driving, it's time to take your car in for servicing. The battery icon is a sign that there's a problem with your charging system. This includes the battery, wiring, or alternator. Don't drive your car until you can get the problem taken care of.
Pressure Lights
If you're like most people, you know you have a tire pressure light on your dashboard. But, you might not know that you also have an oil pressure light. Both of these lights should be taken seriously. If your tire pressure light comes on, visit a tire shop to have air put into your tires. If the oil pressure light comes on, it's time to have your engine serviced. You may need to have the oil level topped off. But, the oil pressure light could be a sign that there's something seriously wrong with your car.
Check Engine
If your check engine light is on, you might think that your car is on its last legs. Luckily, that's not necessarily the case. In fact, there are a few minor reasons why the check engine light is lit up. Your gas cap could be loose. Or, you might need to buy a new gas cap. Before you panic, take your car to a local service shop. They can identify the problem, and get you back on the road.
For more information, contact a local company like Cliff's Automotive Repair & Exhaust.