Can You Drive Car Without Dashboard?

Does your car have a working dashboard? If your car doesn’t have a working dashboard, the question possible lingering in your mind is, can you drive a car without a dashboard?

The answer to this question is no. It is unconvincing that you can drive without a dashboard. Cars dashboard contains elements and symbols of components within the car’s system. In case of any malfunctioning of any car element, signals get sent to the dashboard.

Moreover, foggy, rainy, or slippery roads can also be indicated on the car’s dashboard, helping the driver know the conditions outside the car.

Fortunately, this article outlines dashboard components, the causes of the faulty dashboard, and the possible steps to prevent it.

What Is a Car Dashboard?

Your car dashboard is a vital element in the car’s system that plays a significant role. It carries indicators of different components of the car’s system.

Dashboards come in different designs depending on the manufacturing companies. However, when the applications are more sophisticated, the more in quality of the dashboard.

What Are the Components of a Car Dashboard?

Speedometer

A speedometer is a mainly used indicator. It shows how fast you are moving. In the past, the speedometer worked together with the gear.

The cable joining the gear to the speedometer transferred signals that shifted the pointer of the speedometer. However, currently, electric sensors are the most used instead.

Fuel Gauge

A fuel gauge is a car’s component showing the amount of fuel present at that moment in a fuel tank. The fuel gauge comprises two relating systems. There is an indicator and sensing system.

The amount of fuel present gets indicated when the sensing system’s readings across the variables resistors are taken and interpreted. Information gets transferred to the dashboard, where the driver can read.

Car Battery Gauge

Unlike the fuel gauge, the charging gauge indicates if the car’s battery is dead or going dead.

Mostly, passenger vehicle prefers the 12-volt battery system. Under a full charge, it should read 12.5 volts in the voltmeter.

When the engine is on, the voltmeter reads 14 or 14.5 volts. To know whether you have a problem with the charging system or alternator, the readings on the voltmeter read below 12.5 volts.

The Oil Pressure Gauge

The Oil pressure gauge plays a vital role in early warnings about any adverse condition of the car’s engine. When the problem is detected earlier, you can save on extra expenses that could occur after a complete breakdown of the engine system.

Oil pressure gauges determine the pressure around the oilways near the filter and the pump. There is a sensor screwed into the engine block to perform the work.

Engine block uses this sensor to give out variable resistance, which affects the current amount flowing within the sensor and gauge circuit.

Temperature Gauge

Temperature gauge, as the name suggests, is used to measure the temperature of the engine coolant and will produce alerting signals on the dashboard in case of an overheating. There are different lights signals on the dashboard indicating the temperature of the engine coolant to the wearing of the seatbelt.

These light signals depend on the type of manufacturer of your car. Additionally, the arrangement of the light signals also varies depending on the car brand. It is, however, advisable to clarify with your manufacturer the meaning of different light signals on the dashboard.

Causes of Faulty Dashboard

Rough Roads

The main reason for a faulty dashboard is the vibration of the car. The vibration of the car can result from driving on rough terrain.

Unfortunately, the different components of the dashboard can shake and cause a problem in their system. Total prevention can be difficult, but you can reduce it by not driving on bumpy roads.

Loose Trim Parts

When driving, you may be experiencing a rattling sound from the dashboard. The leading cause of the sound is the different components making up the dashboard, from the speedometer to all gauges.

When such sounds happen, they are not in their fixed position. Possibly, the parts holding them in place are tampered with. As a good driver, perform diagnostics on your car now and then to reduce vibration intensity on the dashboard.

 How to Prevent Dashboard Vibration

1. Determine the Location of the Loose Part

Identifying the noise source is difficult when on the wheel; however, you are recommended to let another driver take action while you take a position and identify the faulty location. As the drive proceeds, take a temporary hold of the dashboard.

If the noise subsides on hold, the problem is with the dashboard. If the problem is on the surface of the dashboard, identify cracks or gaps and fill them with sticks or papers. You can use tapes where possible.

2. Open the Dashboard Casing and Secure Components

The possible cause of the noise can be the components present inside the trim panel. Unplug the trim panel, take an in-depth analysis, and identify the problem to prevent noise.

Most car manufacturers don’t secure the dashboard with screws. Therefore, opening the trim panel can be easy.

Conclusion

Car dashboards come in different designs depending on the car brand. The dashboard plays a vital role in the overall performance of the vehicle.

The dashboard contains components that give information about what is happening within the car. Conditions like fog, rainy and slippery roads are also detected, and data get transferred to the dashboard.

When the dashboard is faulty, it means the performance of the components inside the dashboard is not working well. Dashboard faults result from the car’s vibration.

However, the vibration is not only caused by poor roads but also loose parts of the vehicle. To minimise vibration, try to tighten the parts of the vehicle. As a responsible driver of your car, avoid bumpy parts of the road and drive smoothly.