Automotive Q&A.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Q. I just purchased a new car for my daughter, who will be taking it with her to college next fall. It has a full complement of gauges, unlike the car she has been driving (just red lights). Can you offer some advice on the importance of each gauge, and how often they should be checked?

_Pauline Garza, San Francisco

A. Like most car enthusiasts, I prefer gauges to warning lights, as one can often spot trouble before it becomes serious. The most common gauges supplementing one's speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauge are engine temperature, oil pressure and system voltage. Here's a look at those three:

_Engine temperature: Most engines are ...