Dashboard Trouble Shooters
What does that light mean, really?
You find yourself sitting in your car, stranded on the side of the road or dead in the driveway and late for an appointment. Such hassle may have been avoidable if we had shown you how to read the warning signs your car was sending you. The gauge panel in your car can tell you a lot more than how fast you are going and when you need to fill the gas tank. Here’s a roundup of what those gauges are trying to say and, in some cases, what you could have done to keep them quiet in the first place.
Battery Light
According to AAA, more than half its service calls are for cars that won’t start. That could be caused by a couple of things but usually means your battery has died, something you would have known was going to happen if you’d paid attention to that beacon of trouble to come: the battery light. It’s supposed to flash when you start the car. But the battery could be on its last legs if it remains lit when the engine is running. A couple of other battery warning signs: The engine is slow to turn over or your headlights dim when the engine is idling. A battery’s life expectancy depends on where you live and how you drive, but you can help prolong it by cleaning the terminals every so often with a wire brush and a solution of baking soda and water, which removes corrosion to enhance the contact between the posts and the cable.
Oil Pressure Light
If this comes on, it means you probably need oil — now! The light tells you that your engine’s out of oil pressure, which usually means there’s very little oil in the crankcase. And if your car runs for even less than a minute with the oil pressure light on, it could quickly destroy the engine — don’t even think about trying to make it to the next gas station. One of the major reasons this happens is the owner isn’t checking and changing oil. Check it every time you refill; change it every 7,500 miles.
Temperature Gauge
Two kinds of indicators measure the temperature of the engine coolant: a dial version and a warning light version. The dial version has a needle that will read from cold to hot and has a normal range in between. The good thing about the dial version is that you can see an overheating situation coming if the needle starts moving from its normal position (from the one-quarter to the half mark) to the hot zone at the extreme right. The problem with the warning light version is you won’t know you’re in trouble until it flashes. The most common reasons for overheating: You don’t have enough antifreeze or there’s a leak in the cooling system. But if you reach critical mass, don’t make a run for the gas station — that can cause big engine damage. It’s best to call for a tow, but you could try to let it cool down, then pour antifreeze (from a winter survival kit you could keep in the trunk) into the coolant reservoir — not directly into the radiator — and drive to the nearest certified repair facility, keeping a keen eye on the temperature gauge as you go.
Brake Light
It’s telling you there has been a change in brake pressure. Most likely, the car has lost the ability to get power to the brakes. The good news is the front and rear brakes rarely fail simultaneously, but even if one set goes, your ability to stop is going to change dramatically for the worse. If you see the brake light, get off the road as quickly — and safely — as possible. Then call for help. It’s recommended you have the brakes checked every time you change oil.
ABS Light
This anti-lock brake system indicator is supposed to flash when you start the car, but if it stays on, it means you need to make a service stop. This is not as threatening as the brake light illuminating, but the brakes could lock up in a quick-stop situation.
Charging System Gauge or Warning light
This gauge/lamp monitors the health of the electrical system. When it lights up, it means something in the electrical system is malfunctioning. It could be something as minor as a loose wiring connection or something as severe as a complete electrical failure. Get it checked out by a certified mechanic quickly. You might avoid being stranded by regularly checking the serpentine belt to make sure it’s not frayed or cracked.
Check Engine Light
Unfortunately, the appearance of this light doesn’t flag a specific problem, and you’re not going to know the gravity of the situation until you get it checked out by a technician. It could be as simple as failing to properly seal your gas cap after a fill-up. The emissions system works as a closed loop to trap evaporative emissions as well as the ones coming from your tailpipe. If you fail to properly seal the cap, the light will come on. Of course, it could be something terminal, so get it checked as soon as possible.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Many new cars come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system. Most systems add a light to the gauge panel that warns the driver when he or she has an underinflated tire. Flat tires are second on AAA’s most frequent calls list. Most premature flats occur from driving on underinflated tires. Keep them at the recommended pressure, which should be listed on the driver’s side doorjamb or on the door itself. Underinflated tires can knock off a quarter of the tires’ life expectancy, not to mention cut into your gas mileage as much as 20 percent.
