Actually, I was just being a wisea$$.
I do like both. When I added gauges to older cars, I always made sure the idiot lights stayed connected.
What would be better is an idiot light that came on before you were in trouble. For instance, a yellow overheating light that came on before you actually overheated. It could turn red if you actually overheated. And chimes to catch your attention when they came on. The problem with the lights are that they come on pretty much after the damage is done. A gauge gives you an idea that trouble may be in your future as you watch the temp. climp or the oil pressure drop. Both is even better. But few car companies are going to spend the $ for both indications.
), but many times I'm so engrossed in watching the road in front of me that I don't bother to look at the smaller gauges like temperature. A light in the dash would certainly catch my eye much quicker than a needle in the dash. 
