Your car is one of the most expensive assets that you could ever own in your lifetime. More than that, your car also plays a very important role in your daily life. For many, it can be considered an indispensable commodity. They need it to go to and from work, do errands, bring the kids to school, and perform other daily activities. Because of this, it’s highly important to keep your car in a very good condition. Never ignore any possible warning signs pointing to something potentially wrong with your car.
If you’re not an expert with cars, it can often be difficult to tell whether or not there is, in fact, an impending problem. To help you out, here are some of the common signs that an auto repair is necessary:
Starting Issues
Cars are supposed to start effortlessly. When you notice a change in the manner in which your car starts, take this seriously. Your car should never have to exert too much effort for it to start.
Starting issues can be a sign of a weak battery, but it can also mean any of the following:
- A Faulty Ignition Switch: This is a common car problem that can be inevitable as your car ages.
- A Fuel System Issue: Some of the common problems related to fuel include dirty fuel injectors, clogged fuel filters, and a rough idle.
- A Failed Starter: This means a bad starter motor, characterized by a single loud click when you try to start your vehicle.
Increase In Exhaust Smoke
When you’re on top of your maintenance and smoke test checks, your car shouldn’t give off an increase in exhaust smoke. The smoke color should also be clear, not gray or, worse, black. If you notice any change in your vehicle’s smoke emissions, this is a telltale sign of a problem.
Here’s what your car’s smoke is telling you depending on color:
- White smoke means a sign of leakage in the engine’s coolant.
- Blue smoke means there’s the presence of oil in the combustion chamber.
- Black smoke means your car is burning too much fuel.
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Stalling
Stalling refers to a situation wherein your engine starts to crank, and your car’s power steering ability is affected. As you start to pull over, the brakes also feel less responsive. This means that your engine has stalled or stopped turning.
Some of the common reasons why your car will stall include:
- Problems related to the ignition, such as loss of spark
- Empty gas tank
- Hot coolant sensor
- Faulty fuel pump
- Low fuel pressure
Bringing your car to an auto repair can avoid the likelihood of a car accident from happening.
Using More Fuel Than Usual
If you’ve been driving your car for a while now, you should already be familiar with its gas mileage. You should start to notice that something is off when you’re spending more than you normally would in a month on your fuel expense—even if your routine hasn’t changed at all.
When this happens, a tune-up at an auto repair service is necessary. The service would include cleaning the sensor, as well as changing the spark plugs and the air filter.
Engine Light Is Blinking
Modern cars have pilot lights that serve as a warning if there’s any problem with your engine. When the check engine light is flashing, take action immediately. The first thing you need to do as soon as possible is to pull over somewhere safe. Then, call for an auto repair service to check your car. The last thing you want is for your engine to die completely when you’re still on the road.
Strange Noises
Cars also shouldn’t make strange noises. Newer ones, in particular, are built to be quiet. It’s best to have your car checked any time you hear a foreign noise coming from your car when you’re driving. Some of the common strange noises that you should be mindful of would include:
- Knocking noise under the hood
- Grinding noise when braking
- Whining transmission
- Sound when you’re turning on a corner
- Clicking from near the engine department
These strange noises can also mean any of the following:
- A brake caliper is missing or damaged.
- The steering needs lubricating.
- The air-fuel mixture is too rich.
- The belt is starting to disintegrate.
- The transmission could be failing.
Conclusion
Now that you’re aware of these telltale signs, you can be more alert when it comes to your car’s health. One of the best ways to avoid road accidents is for you to address the problem when it’s still in its infancy. By paying attention to how your car is performing, you can immediately call for an auto repair Webster service before the problem gets worse and causes damages or accidents.
