A tire pressure gauge measures the air pressure inside your car’s tires. Correct tire pressure ensures that your vehicle handles well and is safe to drive. It also helps to prolong the life of your tires and improve fuel efficiency. Finally, it can help you avoid costly repairs and replacements by detecting any issues with your tires early on.

Modern vehicles come equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that reads the tire pressure of all four tires of a vehicle. Starting in 2007, the TPMS has to report an under-inflation of 25 percent in any combination of all four tires. The TPMS light is illuminated once the TPMS reads a pressure lower than 25 percent of the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. If this light comes on in your vehicle, it means your tire pressure is low. You should find the nearest gas station to fill up your tires.

Under-inflated tires are the leading cause of tire failure, causing blowouts, tread separation, and premature wear. Blowouts can put the vehicle, passengers, and others on the road in harm’s way because of the debris and potential to lose control of the vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, thousands of injuries can be prevented every year if people would inflate their tires to the right pressure.

If you notice that your TPMS light is on, it is important to check the pressure on all four tires and fill them up with air right away.

A fuel gauge displays the amount of fuel remaining in a vehicle’s fuel tank. The fuel gauge helps drivers monitor their fuel consumption and plan their refueling stops accordingly. The fuel gauge works by constantly reading the level of reserve fuel remaining in the gas tank and sending that information to a readable gauge on the dashboard.

Your fuel gauge primarily helps you avoid running out of fuel while driving, which can be dangerous and inconvenient. It also helps drivers monitor fuel consumption and improve their driving habits to maximize fuel efficiency. A failing fuel gauge can cause drivers to run out of fuel unexpectedly, which can lead to accidents and other issues. If you notice erratic readings or a warning light on the dashboard, it may mean your fuel gauge is failing. Regular maintenance and inspection of the fuel gauge can help prevent these issues and ensure that your vehicle’s fuel system is functioning properly.

A tachometer measures the engine’s revolutions per minute (RPM). It is usually located on the dashboard of a vehicle and is important for data collection, shifting gears, fuel economy, and engine lifespan. The tachometer captures and relays data to the engine control unit (ECU) and impacts the operation of several independent systems. The RPM is displayed on a gauge, typically located in the driver dashboard instrument cluster and, in most cases, on the left-hand side.
The tachometer displays engine speed and measures the rotation of the engine’s crankshaft, which is responsible for rotating each connecting rod and piston through the combustion cycle. When the crankshaft spins 360-degrees, it completes a revolution. The total of crankshaft’s rotation speed is measured in revolutions per minute, or RPM. The RPM is displayed on the gauge, showing a series of numbers from 0 to 9 - the RPM is actually defined as 1,000 times that number. The final numbers displayed on the tachometer gauge are typically notated in red. As the engine accelerates, a needle will point to the number that equals the engine’s RPM.
The tachometer helps drivers capture and relay data to help shift the vehicle. It also helps manual transmission drivers know when to shift each gear while driving. The tachometer is beneficial for optimizing performance and protecting the engine from overheating, insufficient lubrication, and causing unnecessary wear and tear to components within the system.

A speedometer is an instrument that measures and displays the instantaneous speed of a vehicle. It is usually combined with a device known as an odometer that records the distance traveled. The speedometer helps drivers maintain safe speeds and monitor fuel efficiency. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the more difficult it is to control, so it’s important to keep an eye on the speedometer to avoid speeding fines and accidents.

A catalytic converter reduces harmful tailpipe emissions. It looks like a small casing that’s installed somewhere along the vehicle’s exhaust piping between the engine and the muffler. The catalytic converter plays an important role in a vehicle’s exhaust and emission system, federally mandated to be installed on most vehicles in the United States since 1975. Without it, a vehicle would spew out a lot more harmful pollutants. The catalytic converter reduces the amount of pollutants and transforms them into less toxic gases such as water vapor and carbon dioxide. These gases then exit through the other end and out of the vehicle’s tailpipe.
Catalytic converters work in tandem with a vehicle’s oxygen sensors and fuel injection system to monitor the air-to-fuel ratio, ensuring that there is enough oxygen in the exhaust to allow the oxidation catalyst to efficiently burn any unburned hydrocarbons. A well-maintained catalytic converter improves the efficiency of your car, directly affecting its overall health and performance.

A car axle connects the wheels of a car and delivers power from the engine to the wheels. It is a component of a car’s drivetrain and is responsible for transferring power and torque from the engine to the wheels. The axle must be able to sustain the entire weight of the vehicle, cargo, and passengers, making it a critical to the car’s overall performance.
There are two types of axles in a car: live axles and dead axles. Live axles rotate with the wheels and transfer engine power to them, while dead axles are simply load-bearing. The front axle and rear axle can both be live, as in the case of cars with four-wheel drive. However, many modern cars feature a front-wheel drive system. Front axles are typically built sturdier and with more sophistication, as they bear the responsibility of steering the car and absorbing shocks from uneven surfaces.
You should inspect your car’s axles regularly to prevent any issues from arising. A broken axle can cause the wheels to stop moving, leading to a loss of control of the vehicle. Any shimmying, shaking, or shuddering could point to signs of a degraded axle, and you should bring your car to a mechanic for inspection if you notice any of these signs .

A car muffler is a component of a vehicle’s exhaust system that reduces the noise produced by the engine. The muffler minimizes the sound generated during the combustion process in the engine, providing a quieter driving experience. The muffler’s interior is an intricate web of tubes and perforated metal that reflects and deflects the engine sound waves off of each other to eliminate noise. The muffler also helps regulate exhaust flow, which can impact the engine’s power output and overall efficiency. It also helps safely remove harmful gases from the engine, ensuring that the vehicle complies with emission standards.
If your muffler is failing, it can cause excessive noise, which can lead to fines and even accidents. Be on the lookout for signs of a failing muffler - loud noises, reduced fuel efficiency, or a warning light on the dashboard. Regular maintenance and inspection of the muffler can help prevent these issues and ensure that your vehicle’s exhaust system is functioning properly.

A car jack is a mechanical device used to lift vehicles off the ground, allowing for easy access to the underside of the car. It is an essential tool for car maintenance, tire changes, and emergency roadside assistance. A vehicle jack uses the power of hydraulics to lift up part of a car allowing the user access to change a tire or perform repairs or maintenance. Jacks come in a variety of types and weight ratings. Choosing the right kind of jack for the work being performed is key, not only for the safety of the mechanic, but the vehicle as well. Almost every new vehicle sold comes with a jack as a standard tool for changing a tire. While these jacks are certainly up to the task of lifting the vehicle a few inches off the ground to change a tire, for more in-depth work a second jack or jack stands are required.
Jacks and jack stands are extremely safe and reliable as long as they are used correctly. You must use the correct jack and stand for the weight of the vehicle you are working on. For example, if the vehicle to be lifted weighs 2 tons, use a jack that is rated for at least 2.5 tons. Never use a jack on a vehicle that is over its rated capacity. Jack stands are designed to support the weight of a raised vehicle. They should be placed under the vehicle axle or frame to provide additional support for an elevated car. Once a vehicle is jacked up the stands are put in place and the vehicle is lowered onto the stands.

A car alternator is a device that converts mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy. It is one of the three main components of a vehicle’s electric charging system, along with the battery and voltage regulator. The alternator’s primary function is to supply electricity to be stored in the vehicle’s battery. The alternator takes in mechanical power from a belt connected to the engine’s crankshaft pulley and then converts this energy into electricity. The alternator also powers the vehicle’s electrical systems when the engine is running.

A failing alternator can cause the battery to die, which can leave you stranded on the side of the road. It’s important to recognize the signs of a failing alternator, such as dimming headlights, a dead battery, or a warning light on the dashboard. Regular maintenance and inspection of the alternator can help prevent these issues and ensure that your vehicle’s electrical systems are functioning properly.