What Gauges Should I Put in My Car?

Want to make your vehicle feel like a race-car? You don’t have to drive at high speeds to make that happen. A little renovation to your car’s interior can make the entire vehicle feel sleeker, sportier, and more fun. A good place to begin is with mounting performance gauges.

Gauges, which are often called racing gauges—can be mounted on the dashboard, the A-pillar, or the console. They’re great for customizing the interior of the vehicle, but that’s not the only reason to have them installed. They can also lend functionality by always keeping your vehicle’s vital signs within eyeshot.

But which gauges are best for your car? To a large extent, that boils down to your own personal style. There are many gauges to choose from so the best thing you can do is look at several models before you make your final decision.

Fuel Gauges

One category of racing gauges are the varying types of fuel gauges. These are any gauges that pertain to your gasoline use—fuel pressure, fuel level, you name it. There are several specific types of fuel gauges to choose from, as well:

• Air/fuel ratio gauges
• Fuel level gauges
• Fuel pressure gauges
• Knock gauges

Tachs and Speedos

Another category of gauges to consider is one that involves the speed of the vehicle. In short, these are advanced speedometers and tachometers. You already have a factory speedometer in your car, but a stylish aftermarket speedometer can lend a whole new look to your interior.

Meanwhile, a tachometer (sometimes just called a tach) will show you how many revolutions per minute your engine is making. This can help you keep from over-revving and blowing your motor, which is good for those who like to drive fast.

Temperature Gauges

There are also a variety of gauges you can use to ensure your car doesn’t overheat by identifying temperature problems at the first sign of trouble. Again, there are several gauges within this subcategory, all of them worth considering:

• Amplifier temperature gauges
• Cylinder head temp gauges
• Differential temperature gauges
• Oil temperature gauges
• Transmission temperature gauges
• Water temperature gauges

Pressure Gauges

Different types of pressure gauges are another way to keep tabs on your vehicle’s performance. Some specifics types to look for include:

• Air pressure gauges
• Blower pressure gauges
• Boost gauges
• Brake pressure gauges
• Nitrous pressure gauges
• Vacuum gauges
• Water pressure gauges
• Pressure gauges

Electrical Gauges

Another category to mention is the one encompassing electrical gauges. A few you might consider include:

• Ammeters
• Voltmeters
• Amp current gauges

The possibilities for your new gauges can also include various clocks, timers, and beyond. Something to keep in mind is to make sure to get gauges that will work with your car’s existing system. It’s recommended that you consult with a professional, who can ensure all of your vehicle’s parts will work together in tandem.