Check gauge’ warning lights exist to let you know when something is off with your vehicle, and that is why those pesky little lights are quite hard to ignore.
For an ideal family vehicle like the Ford F150, alerts like these can stir serious concern. Chances are that the “check gauges” message has been displayed and you’ve got only a little clue on its meaning and whether or not it demands urgent attention.
Going ahead to check the oil or changing the oil and oil filter may not fix the problem, to say the least. Virtually all modern cars and trucks are designed with gauges and lights to alert the driver of problems and keep them informed about issues like fuel level and speed.
It is normal to have the “check gauges” message even when you have a full tank, a good battery, and even a normal vehicle temperature.
Thankfully, you don’t necessarily need to take your car to auto parts to get the diagnostic test before knowing what the notification means and its causes.
In addition to addressing Check gauges ford f150 and its causes in this post, I have also gathered as much information as possible on what you should know including required technical care for solving the problem.
What does check gauges mean on a Ford F150?
Normally, the check gauges light on a vehicle implies that there is a malfunction in the vehicle that needs to be inspected and repaired. In most situations, check gauges light displays to point at the problem of loose fuel cap, low engine oil, or even an overheated engine temperature.
It is also a signal to inform the car owner about any malfunction in the engine or issues that might have emanated from the electrical system of the vehicle.
Looking at the manual, what check gauges mean for almost all models of Ford vehicles is that the gauge is out of the normal range. If this is not the case, then it could be that there is low oil pressure, too high temperature, or perhaps, improper voltage level.
Ford F150 is known for its economic gas mileage, impressive safety features, and smooth ride, but these do not go without mentioning the possibility of certain malfunctions that can trigger the “check gauges” signal.
The information in the manual will tell you just what the signal could mean, but if you are going to avoid it after repair or servicing, you need to know the actual causes of check gauges light display in your f150 truck.
What causes check gauges light on f150?
When you have the check gauges light on, there might be no symptoms to show where the actual problem is coming from, especially when the vehicle is idle.
I scoured a number of popular F150 online forum and I noticed that common problem drivers face with this problem is that the check Gauge’s light keep flashing and then the truck beeps when the door is opened.
The major issues that cause check gauges lights to come on in your truck are usually around the following areas:
- Oil pressure
- Fuel Level
- Coolant temperature.
So your attention should be drawn to these areas first. But if non fo these things fit the situation of your truck to cause the signal, then consider taking the vehicle for a diagnosis to discover where the problem is actually coming from.
Can you drive with the check gauges light on?
This depends on the issue that has caused the check gauges lights to be illuminated on your dashboard. In many cases, those who encounter the signal are able to drive some miles going about their daily journey and drive back home without issues.
But keep in mind that this warning indicates that the vehicle has a gauge reading outside normal operating parameters.
So, eventually, sooner or later, you won’t be able to drive the truck anymore. In other words, it shouldn’t be ignored.
It is a good thing that the Check Gauge warning is displayed in a hard-to-ignore area where it catches the driver’s eye. While you might be able to still drive your care with such warnings, make sure you have the instrument cluster inspected as soon as possible for a problem.
Is it easy to fix a check gauge’s light?
The short answer is No. Fixing the problems that can cause the check gauges light to come one might not be as easy as other DIY care maintenance you carry out by yourself because the telltale indicator can be pointing at the incorrect reading of any of your instrument panel gauges.
This can include but is not limited to the oil pressure, coolant temperature, fuel gauge, charge system, and even transmission temperature.
Other areas that may need attention are water, brake fluid level, engine oil level, and other related main emergency ones. If you are in doubt, it is best to take the car to a professional service shop. There, the error code(s) of your car’s computer will be read and the actual problem will be detected.
In some ford models, you can do this yourself by consistently switching the ignition on and off about 5 times. More information on this is contained in every F150 owner manual.
What to do when you get the check gauges light on your Ford f 150?
Well, the most crucial question in this regard is ‘what not to do when you get the check gauge light’. The first ideal approach is not to ignore it or take it trivial.
If it happens while you are driving, you want to first pull over to a convenient spot on the road, and if at night, well lit. Next, you want to make sure that the dashboard gauges are inspected.
Whatever the cases may be as explained in the above article, just have it in mind that the cause of the signal could be something as simple as running out of gas or as grave as problems with the engine.
All and above, when you notice the check gauges light on your F150, make sure it is inspected to know the actual problem that the error code is indicating, and then have it repaired or serviced.