Five signs that your car needs repairs
There are certain signs of minor problems that you can ignore while driving your car. However, the signs that we want to tell you about require your increased attention if you do not want to get into an accident.
Everyone knows that a car should be regularly serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, usually after a certain period of time or mileage. Want to know the warning signs that your car is in dire need of a visit to the auto repair shop? Here are five signs that your car needs repairs.
1. Engine warning lamp
Most modern cars promptly signal which part of the car requires attention. If a yellow “CHECK ENGINE” light appears on your dashboard, you should take your vehicle to your nearest auto repair shop as soon as possible as this light can indicate a number of problems with your car’s engine.
Many cars also have a service light that will light up when you need your next service. inspection. This little indicator – usually shaped like a wrench – shouldn’t bother you too much, but it’s best not to ignore it for too long.
2. Strange noises in the car
Any new noises coming from your car should be checked before they become serious problems. Here are some of the sounds you may hear from your car and what they might mean:
- Squealing (squealing) from under the hood – usually caused by a loose drive belt, which in turn can cause all sorts of problems from overheating to battery problems.
- Exhaust noise is louder than usual – this could be a hole or crack in the blower. These are usually easy to fix but are worth paying attention to as there is a risk that your exhaust pipe could fall off.
- Uneven engine noise – you usually hear this when the car is idling. This may mean that the engine is running rough and requires immediate repair. This can be easily fixed by replacing the spark plugs or may indicate a more serious problem with your engine and the way it handles the air/fuel mixture.
- Metal-on-metal sound – Any scratching metallic sound coming from your car needs to be checked. This could be a broken metal part of your car, which could cause further damage.
- Squealing sound when pressing the brake – This may be a sign of worn brake pads.
- Crunching sounds of gears – indicates the natural wear and tear of certain gearbox parts and therefore requires replacement. If you hear a wheezing sound when shifting gears, it may be time to take it to your auto repair shop.
3. Smoke or steam coming from under the hood
Steam, usually white in color – usually caused by overheating and radiator problems. Of course you should have your car checked as soon as possible, but you are not in serious danger if you see steam coming from under the hood.
Look at your car’s temperature gauge. If it is at maximum, stop and wait for your car to cool down before continuing. When your machine is running, the needle should be in the middle of the pressure gauge.
If you notice blue smoke coming from your car, stop in a safe place and have someone tow your car to a garage or auto repair shop. Blue smoke is caused by burning oil and can become quite a costly problem if left unattended. Excess smoke from the exhaust may also indicate an oil leak.
This can be caused by a number of problems, including:
- piston wear;
- worn valve seals;
- worn piston rings;
- gas leak from the intake manifold;
- worn engine seals;
- head gasket wear.
4. Vibration or traction when braking
This could be due to worn brake rotors or pads, a suspension problem, or a steering problem. Driving in these conditions is unsafe, so get your vehicle repaired as soon as possible.
These symptoms can also be a sign of tire wear, so make sure your tires have the minimum tire pitch requirement of 1.6mm and that they wear evenly.
5. Feel a decrease in riding comfort
If you suddenly find that speed bumps are becoming a problem, your car is driving a little hard, or you hear a tire squealing in your car’s wheel well, it’s time to stop and check.
Any of these symptoms could indicate a problem with your car.
These are just some of the signs that your car is in need of repairs, but to keep your car in top condition, you should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and undergo regularly scheduled maintenance.
REMEMBER: You can always contact our car service center, where your car will be happy to receive professional technical assistance. You can also make an appointment with us for a scheduled technical inspection! Please familiarize yourself with our car repair and diagnostic services.