You may have teenagers in your household learning to drive. Along with all of your safety instructions, teaching them a few simple lessons about their car could easily save you thousands of dollars.

An oil warning light (or low pressure on the oil gauge) means get off the road and park the car now. Too often, new drivers have too much else to think about to worry much about all those warning lights. Too many think that just a few more miles home won't matter. Too often, that means a $3,000 engine job. It is one of those life lessons that most of us (including mom and dad) can live without.

An engine temperature light (or temperatures in the red on a gauge) means get off the road and park the car now. This is just as fatal to engines as running them without oil.

An alternator light (or high or low readings on the alternator gauge) should also be dealt with quickly. The negative consequences are not as severe as the other two gauges, usually only a stalled car or one that will not start. In some circumstances, however, thousand dollar computers can be ruined by an electrical system gone haywire.

Of course you don't want to forget the brake warning light. When it comes on, it is a sign that something is seriously wrong with your brakes. When your car doesn't go, it is an inconvenience. When it doesn't stop, it is a disaster.

In short, those warning lights and gauges are there for a reason. They give you a WARNING.

Is it better to repair my car, or lease a new one?
It may better to repair your car. Here's why.