Newbie here, and i gotta question. Went out to my car this morning to drive home hopped into the car, start 'er up and it "bings" at me. The "check gauges" light comes on (which, by the way seems to be one of the most useless things I know about), so I'm a little low on gas (just under a 1/4) and the temp is sitting on the low temp peg (cause its about 2 freaking degrees out), but the voltage gauge is a little above 14V (which seems a little bit high) and the oil pressure gauge is over 80 at idle (seems really high, which worries me). A drive nicely home. Later I go to fill it up and check the oil. Oil'* a little low and seems rather dark considering I just got this car. So, when the money from the gubment comes, she'* getting and oil change and probably a tune up. But, should I be worried, ignore it, top off the oil to be sure, or is this normal when its freakin' cold out <-- (couldn't find a shiver, can some one work on that?)

Anyway, any advice is appreciated

The "Check Gages" light WILL come on & Chime every time you are low on gas! It'* annoying as hell, I admit too!

yer oil pressure gauge is probably high because the oil is cold. this is normal when starting an engin in 2 degree weather. high oil pressure= good rings and compression.

your voltage will also vary a bit with most pontiacs. 15 is high normal. any more i might have a concern. 11 is low normal any less and i would check it out.

the higher voltage make'* my aftermarket stereo push more watts.

Sweet guys, thanks. I wondered later if it was acting as a low fuel light, but I thought there was one of those separately .

You've got an SE, right? I don't know if that has a separate low-fuel light or not, but the SSE will show both: Check Gauges for the bong-bong-bong-bong alarm (which should only chime four times and then quit; it isn't supposed to be going constantly as you drive), and a Low Fuel signal that remains lit. It should trigger at around 1/8 tank, although of course if you're parked on a slope, all bets are off.

...and if you need a tax refund just to finance your oil change, you really need to start doing those yourself...

Hey, I've got a great snowdrift for you to lie in under my car , plus with all the ice under there you won't need a creeper

i have a pontiac bonneville 1994 and the check gears light comes on whenever i take my foot off the gas and will completely shut down my car so the only thing on is the check gears and the music... it locks the steering wheel as well as the gas and the breaks. i have had 4 people look at it and use the connector to try find the problem and no one can figure out what is wrong... does anyone have any ideas of what may be causing this and how to fix it? all the fluids are full as well and as long as my foot stays on the gas it runs fine but massively burns fuel.

Your best bet is to start a new thread in the appropriate mechanical forum, instead of replying to a 13 year old thread. This will help minimize confusion and help us stay focused on your specific issues, because is is likely a different issue than was mentioned at the original post. Also be sure to include details, including how long it'* been happening, and what has been done to try and fix it.