There are certain signs of minor malfunctions that you can ignore while driving your car. However, the signs we are going 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? We suggest you familiarize yourself with five signs that your car needs repairs.
1. Check engine light
Most modern cars provide timely signals which part of the car’s device requires attention. If the yellow CHECK ENGINE light appears on your dashboard, you should take your car to the 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 maintenance light that comes on when you need to have your next inspection. This small light – usually shaped like a wrench – shouldn’t worry 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 develop into serious problems. Here are some of the sounds you might hear from your car and what they could mean:
- Squealing (squealing) noise 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 exhaust pipe. These are usually easy to fix, but they 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 could mean that the engine is running rough and needs immediate repair. This can be easily fixed by replacing the spark plugs or it may indicate a more serious problem with your engine and the way it handles the air and fuel mixture.
- Metal-on-Metal Sound – Any scraping metallic sound coming from your car needs to be checked. It could be a broken metal part of your car, which can lead to further damage.
- Squealing When You Apply the Brake – This could be a sign of worn brake pads.
- Gear Crunching Sounds – This indicates natural wear and tear on certain transmission parts and means they need to be replaced. If you hear a grinding sound when you shift gears, it might be time to take your car to a mechanic.
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 check your car 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 the maximum, stop and wait for your car to cool down before continuing. When your car is running, the needle should be in the middle of the gauge.
If you notice blue smoke coming from your car, pull over to 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 a rather expensive problem if left unattended. Excessive smoke from the exhaust may also indicate an oil leak.
This can be caused by a number of problems, including:
- worn piston;
- worn valve seals;
- worn piston rings;
- gas leak from the intake manifold;
- worn engine seals;
- worn head gasket.
4. Vibration or pulling when braking
This could be due to worn brake discs or pads, a suspension problem, or a steering problem. Driving in these conditions is unsafe, so get your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
These symptoms could also be a sign of worn tires, so make sure your tires meet the minimum pitch requirement of 1.6mm and that they wear evenly.
5. Do you feel a decrease in ride comfort?
If you suddenly notice that speed bumps are becoming a problem, your car is driving somehow heavily, or you hear a tire beating in the wheel arch of your car, it’s time to pull over and get it checked.
Any of these symptoms could signal a problem with your car.
These are just some of the signs that your car needs repairs, but to keep your car in great condition, you should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and have regular scheduled maintenance.
REMEMBER: You can always contact our auto service center, where we will be happy to provide professional technical assistance for your car. You can also sign up for a scheduled technical inspection with us! Please check out our car repair and diagnostic services.
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VEBER-AUTO Car Service
194044, St. Petersburg
Neyshlotsky Lane, Building 5, Block 3
District: Vyborgsky
Metro: Vyborgskaya – 800 m.
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Seven days a week, from 9:00 to 21:00.
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sto@veberauto.ru
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8 (812) 321-00-00
