It can be difficult knowing what’s going on under the hood of your car when you’ve had little to no mechanical training. Still, understanding where to look can help you identify problems with your car before they grow into something serious.
Sometimes we’re driving our cars to the breaking point without realising it. Early signs of car problems aren’t always super noticeable, but the longer you push that service aside, the more that issue snowballs.
When something goes haywire, and you don’t get repairs quickly, the repairs are often more expensive and more problematic than they would have been if you acted sooner.
Read on for tips on how to spot minor issues with your car early. Once you notice any of these signs, it’s important that you pull over quickly and book in a car service at your soonest convenience. Read to the bottom to learn about a great discount that can save you thousands off your next three services.
Clear Visual Signs
Any of the Service Lights Are On
A clear and obvious sign that your car needs repairs is when any of the warning lights on your dashboard are on. Your car has an internal computer which monitors all systems. When it detects that something is experiencing complications, it lets you know via one of these lights.
If you’re confused as to what a light means, refer to this handy guide.
The most concerning symbol is your check engine light. When this is on steadily, it means you have a minor issue that should be checked out soon. When it’s flashing, that’s an urgent reminder that you need to pull over immediately and call for assistance. A flashing light says that your engine is misfiring, which can raise its temperature to potentially dangerous levels.
Tyres Look Flat
If your tyres are drooping or not looking as full as they were a week ago, you may need to pump them up with air. Most service stations have an easy air pump that stops when you enter the desired PSI. To find your recommended tyre pressure, check the inside of the driver-side door, there should be a sticker there that states it. If not, check your owner’s manual.
If they droop down soon after, you probably have tyre damage and need to replace them.
Liquid Puddles Are Forming Underneath
Large puddles are a bad sign, no matter what fluid it is. If you’ve parked for a while and come back to a pool under your vehicle, you should call for a service now. Brake fluid, steering fluid, coolant, or oil leaks should be addressed immediately. However, small puddles of water shouldn’t cause alarm. This is often condensation from the aircon or exhaust.
Feel If It’s Handling Differently Than Usual
Our instincts are a strong tool when it comes to identifying car issues. We drive our cars almost daily, so there’s an innate connection to the way it moves. When something feels off, chances are something is off.
Excessive vibrations, sluggish acceleration, stiff brakes and turning difficulties are all early signs that a part of your car may need a touch-up.
If you drive a manual and your car is jerking between gears or is struggling to shift, it’s a sign your transmission may be having trouble. Transmission issues are some of the most costly car repairs, and the longer you put it off, the more extensive the bill will be.
Other things to look out for are:
Vibrations or wobbling.
Vibration can be caused by many different things – and the older your car, the harder it is to differentiate problem wobbles from the regular ones that happen with age. An off wheel alignment may give your car the shakes, but also a plethora of other underbody issues can as well
It can be like finding a needle in a haystack to the amateur eye, so it’s best to let the pros have a look. You may have a loose bolt, warped brake rotors or even axel damages. These causes can be a simple fix or a potentially dangerous fault. Whatever the reason, it isn’t worth risking your safety.
Shaking and swinging out after bumps.
If you’ve noticed your car shaking but only after going over a hole in the road or speedbumps, it’s a sign your suspension could be worn out. Suspension is a part of the car many people forget about. In bad cases, it can cause your car to swing out and lose control while it tries to distribute the shock. This puts unneeded pressure on the rest of your vehicle.
Difficulty steering or uncontrolled drifting.
If your car pulls to one direction while you’re on the road it’s often an issue with the wheels, steering systems or suspension. The clearest sign is failed shocks which can leave your bar tilting oddly to one side, even when stationary. The others are a little more difficult to identify.
If your car is struggling to turn or the turning circle is drastically wider, you may not be in full control of your vehicle anymore. This may be because of a lack of power steering fluid in the system or from the attached steering systems.
Not being in control of your car can be intimidating while you’re zipping along at high speeds. If you feel unsafe, it’s always recommended to get your car serviced.
Tough and unresponsive brakes.
When you brake, your car should stop smoothly and quickly – it’s as simple as that. If your car continues to move longer than you’re comfortable with, or you’re getting just that bit too close to the car in front of you at the lights, your pads may be ready for a replacement. If your brakes are still relatively fresh and are still acting up, you may have spongy brakes which don’t perform as well because of air pockets in the brake lines or low brake fluid. Both have cheaper repair costs than a pad replacement.
Brakes are one of the most important safety features in your car, so any issues need to be remedied instantly.
Odd Noises and Smells
Your daily commute should be pretty quiet and odourless. When something is making noise, it’s an alert that something isn’t in the right place or is rubbing against something.
For a quick breakdown of noise causes, check out these dot points:
- Screeching or fast ticking under the hood means the serpentine belt is scraping or worn out.
- Rattling under the body of your car could mean your exhaust is loose or some other feature is not fixed correctly.
- Squeaking is often a sign your brakes are worn out or things are rubbing together.
- Grinding is most commonly caused by gears meshing together. If it clunks after a gear shift, it’s likely your gearbox. If it happens while you brake, it could be an issue with your pads or simply a piece of debris that has been wedged between the pad and rotor. Take a mental note to see if the sound persists.
- Gurgling occurs when liquid interacts with air or heat. It could mean you have a leak in one of your tanks.
If you notice any unexpected smells while driving, it is crucial to seek assistance quickly. Chemical, petrol or burning smells need to be treated with urgency. Whenever this happens, pull over quickly and call for roadside assistance or assess the situation carefully. It could mean you have a leak or your engine is burning out.
Service Your Car Once Every 6 Months
The best way to avoid an emergency situation and costly repairs is to have a regular service routine every six months. Your trusted mechanic should be able to notice early signs of these issues and let you know when the proactive time to replace parts is. This means the other parts of your car never need to suffer the consequences because of a worn out or faulty feature.
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