what is the shif gear

A gear shift lever is the mechanical arm (doesn't matter whether column or floor mounted) that, "when the foot brake (and/or clutch if applicable) is applied", allows the operator to "shift" the transmission of a piece of equipment (being tractor, lawn tractor, truck, car, van, crane, fork lift, moving van, etc.) from "P" (Park) or "N" (Neutral) into a gear (Drive, Low, Reverse, etc.) selected by the operator, that allows power from the engine to transfer thru the transmission into the drive axles to provide motion . ------ Car speeds up on its own, DO you have the cruise control turned on ? -------- "All dash lights come on", When ? The dash lights are suppose to "light up" when you turn the key to "Key On, Engine Off" and then go off when you either, "turn the car off" or turn the key to "Key On, Engine Start" or when you turn the dash lights on.