The 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo has an electronic sensor or system for nearly every part of the vehicle. The headlights, turn signals, engine diagnostic computer, anti-lock brake computer and traction control monitor system are just some examples of the indicators that appear on your dashboard instrument cluster. The indicator lights are on the dashboard to let you know if something is wrong, as well as to indicate several installed safety features of the car.
The far left round gauge on your instrument cluster is a tachometer, which tells you the rpm speed of the engine. The center round gauge is the speedometer, that tells you how fast you are going. The far right round gauge on the cluster is the fuel gauge, with the engine temperature gauge.
The gear indicator gives you a heads-up display of what gear you have selected with your gear lever. The gear indicator has letters such as "P" for park, "N" for neutral, "R" for reverse, and "D" "3" "2" and "1" for your forward driving gears.
When your traction control is turned off or malfunctioning, a light will come on underneath the tachometer. This light looks is triangular and has a picture of a swerving car inside it. This light will also activate if your traction control module or one of the wheel speed sensors is malfunctioning.
Your turn signals are indicated by a flashing light below the tachometer for the left turn signal, and below the fuel gauge for the right turn signal. The cruise control light looks like a dial with an arrow pointing off of the dial and is located above the fuel gauge. The cruise control light will activate anytime the cruise control is set.
Low tire pressure is indicated by an upside down horseshoe shape light with an exclamation mark in the middle. Low oil level is indicated by a light resembling an oil can, with a drop of oil coming out of the spout. The temperature light is just above the temperature gauge and will light up if the engine temperature sensors sense the vehicle is overheating. This light looks like a thermometer floating vertically on a wavy water line. The low fuel light looks like a gasoline pump and nozzle, with an arrow pointing to your gas gauge.
Under the tachometer is a light that will activate if you have daytime running lights or fog lamps turned on. The indicator is a "D" shaped indicator with three hash marks through a vertical line. High-beam lights activate a blue light on the dashboard that is a "D" shaped symbol with five hash marks to the left of the symbol.
An amber light that resembles a sideways engine will activate if your engine is in need of repairs. A battery shaped light with a "+" and "_" symbol on it means your battery or charging system is malfunctioning. The word "Brake" will appear if you have your parking brake set, or if the brake fluid is low in the fluid reservoir. A circle with the letters "ABS" in the middle indicates that there is an issue with one of your anti-lock brake sensors or the system.
The seat belt light will come on and sometimes flash if you or passenger are not wearing your seat belts. The seat belt light resembles a person sitting in a chair, with a shoulder belt across the body. An air bag light or SRS system light indicates there is a malfunction with your air bag system. This light resembles a person sitting in a car seat from the side, with the circular air bag deployed.
The anti-theft light flashes when the key is removed from the ignition, and the doors are locked. This light resembles a padlock wrapped around the side of a car.
Just below the speedometer you will notice the odometer and information indicator. This rectangular indicator can indicate you your total miles, trip miles, and information like when you are due for an oil change or service. The information center heads-up display will also show you short stationary or scrolling messages if there is an issue with your vehicle, such as "Service Engine Soon," "Door Ajar," or "Tire Pressure Low."
