No doubt, a car is a huge purchase, regardless of the model. Therefore, when you buy one, you want to take good care of it so that it can serve you for an extended period. Every car owner knows the importance of car care and maintenance, including safety and dependability. Additionally, when you’re driving, you must pay close attention to your vehicle, including how it moves, the sound the engine makes, how the tires move, and more. But how exactly do you know that your vehicle needs repair? This article explains the common red flags for car repair. If you notice any of the signs below, you might want to consider trusted automotive services.
Unusual Noises
It’s normal for a car to produce sound and vibrations when moving—for instance, engine vibrations or sounds of auxiliary fans in some vehicles. However, you must learn to differentiate between normal noises and unwanted vibrations. Ideally, if your vehicle produces unusual noises, you should get it checked right away.
Your car could have different issues depending on the intensity, location, and timing of the noise it produces. Each sound is a unique language that conveys a message about potential issues with your car. Here are common noises you should watch out for.
Rattling or Clanking Noise
Your vehicle will produce a rattling noise if your suspension system has a problem. Mostly, you’ll hear the noise when you drive over bumps or rough roads. The main culprits for these annoying sounds are worn-out or damaged suspension components such as sway bar links, ball joints, control arms, or a broken transmission.
Remember, your vehicle’s suspension components are essential to your car’s handling, comfort, and overall performance. Therefore, if you have a problem with your vehicle’s suspension system, seek trusted automotive repair services.
Grinding Noise
If your car makes a grinding noise, it could indicate different issues. The noise mainly occurs when braking, indicating that your brake pads are worn down, and the metal backing plates are making contact with the brake rotors. For this case, you must replace the brake pads and resurface or replace the rotors. If not, your braking system will be compromised due to the damaged pads and rotors.
The grinding noise could also indicate a wearing-out alternator. The alternator helps power your vehicle’s electrical system. Modern alternators have a decoupler pulley system that enables you to save fuel. However, if it’s not working correctly, it will produce a grinding noise.
Additionally, a grinding noise may indicate a problem with the water pump. The water pump helps cool your engine and prevents it from overheating. If damaged, your vehicle will produce a grinding noise. Seek automotive repair services to have it replaced immediately.
Your vehicle’s AC compressor could also be the reason behind the grinding noise your vehicle produces. Though it might not guarantee an urgent repair, you just want to give your vehicle an auto AC service to maintain your comfort.
Hissing or Sizzling Noise
Your car will produce a sizzling sound if there’s a leak beneath the hood. You won’t hear the noise when your engine is running, but when it stops. So when a liquid drips on the hot engine, it will produce a sizzling sound, indicating a coolant or oil leak. There could also be a leak in the vacuum lines. Moreover, the hissing sound could also mean your car engine is overheating and needs to be checked. So if your car produces a hissing or sizzling sound, your car needs a trusted automotive repair.
Vibrations or Shaking
If you notice strange vibrations while driving your car, you should consider a trusted automotive repair service. Vibrations in your car could indicate various issues that need immediate attention.
For instance, imbalanced wheels, uneven tire wear, or damaged tires could lead to vibrations or shaking, especially when driving at high speeds. You can visit an alignment shop for tire rotations, wheel balancing, and proper tire inflation to prevent vibrations and shaking.
Dashboard Warning Lights
If you own a modern car, you might have noticed it has various dashboard warning lights, including the engine light, battery light, and ABS light. So when your vehicle has an issue, the respective lights will illuminate to indicate potential issues within the vehicle’s system.
Therefore, when driving your vehicle, pay attention to the warning lights and have your vehicle checked by a professional, if necessary. Each dashboard light has a symbol indicating the source of the issue.
Check Engine Light
The check engine light is represented by the engine symbol or the words (check engine.’ So whenever your vehicle detects a problem with the engine, it will turn on the check engine light on the dashboard to alert you about the issue. The light can also be triggered by various issues, including a loose gas cap or a malfunctioning sensor.
Battery Light
If there’s a problem with your vehicle’s charging system, the battery light (depicted by a battery-powered symbol) will turn on on the dashboard. This light often signals that your vehicle’s battery is receiving insufficient charge.
It could also indicate a problem with your alternator. Remember, a failing charging system leads to a dead battery and potential breakdown. Therefore, do not ignore the battery warning light on your dashboard.
Oil Pressure Light
The oil pressure light, often represented by an oil symbol, signals low engine oil pressure. So, if your engine oil pressure drops below a safe level, the oil pressure light will illuminate the dashboard.
This usually stems from a malfunctioning oil pump, oil leaks, or low oil levels. If the oil pressure light illuminates on your dashboard, check your engine oil level or address any related issue to prevent engine damage.
Brake System Warning Light
This is often symbolized by an exclamation mark within a circle or the word ‘Brake.’ When the light turns on, it indicates a problem with your braking system. The brake system warning light can illuminate due to worn brake pads, low brake fluid levels, or a malfunction in the anti-locking braking system. If the lights come on, have your braking system inspected and repaired immediately to maintain your vehicle’s safety.
Low-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light
The TPMS light indicates a low tire pressure in one or more tires. This means that the tire pressure has fallen below the recommended level and compromises tire performance and safety. It could also mean damage to your vehicle tires, causing the tire pressure to lower. Therefore, if the light illuminates on your dashboard, check your tire pressure and inflate appropriately. If there’s any damage to the tires, have them repaired or replaced immediately.
Reduced Performance and Power
Over time, your vehicle’s engine will lose power, leading to a drop in performance and efficiency. While age is the main culprit, there are other factors that could lead to declined engine power and performance. Here is why your car may lose power;
Clogged Fuel Filter
As the name suggests, a fuel filter sifts the fuel before making its way into the engine and combustion. Its primary function is to prevent particles and deposits from entering your vehicle’s fuel system. However, over time, these deposits can accumulate and clog the fuel injectors. As a result, the combustion chamber won’t receive the right quantity of fuel to power the engine, leading to reduced engine power and performance. Therefore, your car engine won’t perform optimally when the fuel filters are clogged.
Bad/Clogged Air Filter
Your engine’s internal combustion chamber mixes gasoline and air to generate power to run your vehicle. However, the air filter must screen the air to remove debris, bugs, and other impurities before it enters the combustion chamber. The impurities could cause severe damage if they find their way into your vehicle’s engine.
Over time, the air filters get clogged, preventing it from filtering air and potentially limiting the amount of air getting into the combustion chamber. As a result, your engine won’t generate enough power to run your vehicle. Replacing your air filter will address this issue. If you don’t know how to replace an air filter, take your vehicle to a trusted automotive repair service provider.
Dirty Exhaust Pipe
A clogged air filter, fuel injector, or a similar issue could cause your vehicle to burn inefficiently. This could affect your car’s exhaust system, sometimes clogging it. A clogged exhaust could cause a significant drop in power output.
Symptoms of reduced power and performance include difficulty shifting gears, sluggish acceleration, and reduced fuel efficiency. This usually indicates problems with your transmission, fuel system, or engine. Therefore, you should take your car to a trusted automotive service repair provider if your vehicle loses power or performance.
Fluid Leaks
Your car depends on various fluids to run smoothly, including oil, coolant, and transmission fluids. If any of these fluids are leaking, your car might need to take your car for auto repairs. This is because your car is designed not to leak any fluid.
If your car leaves pools of liquid behind, you should have it inspected. But first, you should study the liquid—is it oil, gas, or water? Water leaks are sometimes considered normal in vehicles. It often comes from the air conditioning systems as condensation. However, if the leak is not water, your vehicle might need repair.
Take note of the color of the liquid. Oil or transmission fluid often appears brown or red; coolant can either be yellow, blue, or green, while the brake fluid or the power steering fluid is often thick but clear. If you spot these fluids under your parked car, get the leak fixed and the fluids replaced. If not, the leak will grow and affect your vehicle’s overall performance.
Electrical Issues
Your vehicle’s electrical system plays an essential role in powering and controlling key functions like starting your car engine, powering accessories, operating lights, and controlling various electronic systems. If your vehicle develops an electrical issue, it will alert you in many ways.
For instance, flickering interior lights, malfunctioning headlights, or a faulty charging system indicate an electrical problem. These issues often stem from a failing battery, alternator, faulty switches, or wiring problems.
Electrical issues can sometimes be hard to diagnose and resolve. Therefore, you may want to seek help from a trusted automotive repair professional with the necessary knowledge and tools. However, you can prevent major electrical issues through regular vehicle maintenance, including inspecting the wiring and checking battery connections.
Physical Damage to Any Part of the Vehicle
Generally, you can tell if your car needs a repair service just by looking at it. There could be visible signs of damage on the vehicle’s body, such as broken glass, dented or crushed body panels, and frame damage.
Common causes of physical damage to vehicles include;
- Accidents and collisions—Collisions with trucks or stationary objects could significantly damage your vehicle. This could lead to an urgent need for an auto repair service. Sometimes, you might need a new body for your damaged vehicle from a collision body shop
- Wear and tear—Vehicle components such as brakes, tires, and suspension systems are prone to wear and tear. Take your vehicle to an auto repair shop for vehicle component replacements
- Hail, storms, and falling debris—natural disasters and severe weather can cause physical damage to your vehicle. You can minimize this type of damage by parking your vehicle in a covered area, such as a garage, during severe weather
- Animal damage—Collisions with large animals, such as elephants, can damage your vehicle’s front end. Smaller animals like rodents can chew on wiring leading to electrical problems
Other minor damages to your vehicle’s body, such as dents, may require auto detailing to cover the spots.
Hiring Auto Repair Services to Conduct Maintenance Work
While these signs will tell you if your vehicle has a problem and needs repair, you should not wait for the red flags. Experts recommend regular maintenance and repair from a trusted automotive service provider to ensure the safety, reliability, and longevity of your vehicle.
Some regular maintenance and repair tasks include;
- Regular oil changes
- Filter replacements
- Fluid checks and changes
- Tire maintenance
- Brake system inspection
- Belt and hose inspection
- Suspension and steering system check
Even washing your vehicle is an essential maintenance routine that can save you a lot of money and enhance your vehicle’s overall performance. Remember, you should always hire auto repair services from a trusted automotive repair professional for your vehicle maintenance and repair.
Take Care of Your Vehicle
If you really understand the value of your vehicle, then you’ll always take good care of it. Regular vehicle maintenance and repair enhances your vehicle’s safety, performance, efficiency, and reliability. So you should never ignore the signs above or any other that we might not have mentioned. Also, ensure you take your vehicle to a trusted automotive service repair provider for maintenance and repairs.