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Exploring Your Dashboard

Exploring Your DASHBOARD WHAT IS IT? The needle that separates you from a speeding ticket, the speedometer measures how fast your car is going. Traditionally, a small flexible wire was attached to the inside of the transmissic and used to gauge the speed vehicle. Today, almost all cars use an electronic sensor that measures wheel MPH speed and sends it to an electronic speedometer. Did You Know: Different-sized tires can affect the speed reading of digital speedometers. Bigger, wider tires will make the readout think you are going slower than you actually are. A simple diagnostic at a mechanic can correct for this. WHAT IS IT? That gauge that helpfully prevents you from becoming the star of an urban legend about running out of gas on a foggy country road. The fuel gauge tells you when it's time to head for the pumps. H Did You Know: Pushing your fuel tank to the very limit of E is not only risky in that you may get stranded, it also can be punishing on your fuel pump. Because the pump uses the gasoline it is submerged in to remain cool, letting your tank get under 1/4 can stress the pump and eventually even burn it out! WHAT IS IT? Engines need to stay at a certain temperature to function properly, and this handy gauge tells you what that range is. When the needle moves closer to hot, it may mean your cooling system is not working properly. If it jumps right up to hot on a normal (not scorching) day, it means your engine is over- heating. If that is the case, immediately pull over, as it can cause permanent damage to your engine. Did You Know: Tired of turning on your car in the winter and blasting frigid like it's set to AC? If you wait until your temperature gauge gets out of the cold zone and into the normal range before turning on your heat, you won't blow cold air in your face at six in the morning. WHAT IS IT? This unobtrusive light is actually one of the most important lights on your dash, as it monitors the pressure of your oil. Running a car on low oil pressure can do permanent damage to the engine, so if this light pops on, find a safe place to pull over, wait until the engine cools and check the oil level. If it seems to be at normal levels, immediately con- sult a mechanic to prevent engine failure. Did You Know: Changing your oil on time is one of the easiest ways to prevent more serious engine problems down the road. It's fast, doesn't cost much, and can save on some huge bills later. WHAT IS IT? The check engine light is the catch-all light of the car. It appears when the system senses there is a problem but doesn't have any other way to let the driver know. It could be anything from a loose gas cap to something catastrophic like immediate engine failure. Because the problem it represents is usually something minor, most people will drive with the light on for a while before addressing it. TOYOTA Did You Know: Many auto parts stores now sell a self-diagnostic tool that can tell you exactly what it is that you should be checking when this ominous light comes on. WHAT IS IT? The tachometer measures your car's revolutions per minute (RPM), or the number of times the crankshaft spins in a given minute. This is useful for manual drivers, as it helps them time their shift to get the best gas mileage. In automatic cars, the tachometer is a good way of telling if you're overworking your car's engine. Never let the needle get into the red RPM (or "danger") area, as this means your engine is really overworking itself. x1000 r/min Did You Know: Even though the numbers on the dial are usually single digits (1, 2, 3), the true RPM is measured by multiplying them by 1,000. So if your needle is on 2, your motor is actually spinning the crankshaft at 2,000 revolutions per minute! WHAT IS IT? Backing up can be a difficult proposition, as visibility is severely limited and it's hard to see what is directly behind your vehicle. The 2014 Toyota Corolla S helps by giving you a view of what's behind you. This feature is especially useful when you're parking in a tight spot. 1 WHAT IS IT? Bluetooth technology allows you to take a call from your friends or stream your entire music library without taking your hands off the wheel. With Corolla's available voice recognition, you can even access your address book verbally: Just say your friend's full name, and you're done. To take an incoming call, simply push the off-hook button. Corolla's technology was designed to adapt to you, not the other way around.2 WHAT IS IT? The antilock brake system is a safety system designed to keep people from slamming on their brakes and locking them up, sending a car into a skid. ABS Hitting the brakes with an ABS system makes them release at regular, short intervals, lessening the chance for a full-on skid. When the ABS light turns on (it usually only flashes when starting up, then goes off), it means that there is something wrong with the brake system. Did You Know: When the ABS light goes on, it doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with the brakes themselves, instead it is merely the system that is stopping them from locking up. Your brakes should still be perfectly fine. WHAT IS IT? Most new cars have an arrow pointing to the right or the left of the gas icon. This indicates which side of the car your gas cap is on and can save you from having to back out of the gas station and try again. Did You Know: Contrary to popular belief, the side of the fuel nozzle on older cars does not indicate which side your gas cap is on. If it does tine up, it is merely coincidence. (1) WHAT IS IT? The tire pressure indicator light usually goes on when one of the car's tires gets below 25% of the manufacturer's recommended PSI (pounds per square inch). When this light turns on, you should check each tire with a pressure indicator and fill them up to the appropriate levels. Did You Know: Every car from 2008 onward will have a tire pressure indicator thanks to the 2008 TREAD Act (Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation). WHAT IS IT? Unlike the ABS warning light, the brake system light comes on when the parking brake is engaged. However, it also is used to indicate low brake fluid levels. If the brake fluid is too low and the pedal travels farther than normal, the hydraulic brake circuits may have broken which is a much more serious problem requiring professional assistance. Did You Know: If both the ABS system light and the brake system light come on simultaneously while driving, immediately reduce speed and park the car in a safe location. Do not step on the brakes abruptly, but use them carefully. Contact a mechanic immediately. 1. Backup Camera Legal Disclosure: The backup camera does not provide a comprehensive view of the rear area of the vehicle. You should also look around outside your vehicle and use your mirrors to confirm rearward clearance. Cold weather will limit effectiveness and view may become cloudy. 2. Bluetooth Legal Disclosure: The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Toyota is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners. The phones on toyota.com have been tested for Bluetooth wireless technology compatibility with Toyota vehicles. Performance will vary based on phone software version, coverage and your wireless carrier. Phones are warranted by their manufacturer, not Toyota. THE visual ly HUFFINGTON POST SOURCES: http://www.carparts.com/classroom/dashboard.htm http://thehappycar.com/5-undeniable-benefits-of-regular-oil-changes http://www.driversedguru.com/driving-articles/car-auto-maint nance/yes-those-gauges-on-your-dash-are-important/ http://www.carrsmith.com/car_tips/abs_lights.htm http://www.carsdirect.com/car-safety/advantages-of-traction-control http://blog.allstate.com/is-your-gas-cap-on-the-left-or-the-right/ http://jalopnik.com/5973322/why-the-tire-pressure-light-is-the-most-useless-warning-light http://www.precisiontune.com/OurServices/WarningLightsDiagnosticServices/DashboardWarningLights.aspx 200 DO

Exploring Your Dashboard

shared by adamclement on Nov 11
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Exploring Your DashBoard. This infographic explains all the lights and symbols found on your dashboard. You'll never be confused again.

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Huffington Post

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Transportation
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