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Dashboards have been around as long as vehicles have been on the road. In fact, the term “dashboard” dates back to horse and buggy days! The first dashboards were wooden slabs placed on the front of carriages. They were positioned between the horse and the passengers, and acted as a barrier for dirt and debris. There’s no doubt dashboards have evolved a lot over the years. The panels found in today’s cars are full of gauges, controls, lights, and buttons that help you become a more informed, safe, and comfortable driver. 

We’ll be the first to admit that all those components can be confusing, and even a little intimidating. We get it – there's a lot to take in! Think of the dashboard as a communication center. Everything you see, from the RPM gauge to the TPMS warning light, contains valuable information that you should be aware of as a car-owner. For your safety and the health of your vehicle, it is important to pay attention to the dashboard and understand what it’s telling you. Check out our blog and graphic below (and the new All About The Car podcast episode) for helpful tips from our team of automotive industry veterans!

• Milage – how many miles has your car traveled? 
• Speedometer – how fast is your vehicle traveling? 
• Fuel Guage – how much gas is in your tank? 
• Temperature Guage – is your vehicle running at an optimal temperature? 
• Tachometer – how many RPMs (revolutions per minute) are taking place in the engine? 
• Dashboard Warning Lights – does a particular system/component require attention or maintenance?   
• Turn signal indicator 
• Hazard indicator 
• Gear select indicator – is your vehicle in park, drive, neutral or reverse? 
• Radio and audio controls 
• Heat and air conditioning settings 
• Some new models even have touch screens and built-in navigation features!