A car breakdown is undoubtedly one of the most frustrating things that can happen in your day, which is why car issues should be dealt with as soon as possible. Detecting a car problem early on prevents it from developing into more serious issues that are harder to fix. Knowing the signs of when you should drop by an auto repair shop is one of the best ways to save you lots of time and costly repairs in the future. To help you with this, we’ve listed down eight warning signs that warrant you a visit to a car repair shop.
1. Unusual Noises
Avoid turning up your radio if you notice that your car is making some unusual new noises. A new noise may mean something has changed in the way your vehicle operates. So pay close attention to new grinding and rattling noises, and find where it’s coming from. Once you’ve located the source of the noise, immediately inform your mechanic about it and describe the sound to him as accurately as possible. Don’t worry if you sound foolish making the noise—an experienced technician will find it much more useful than funny.
Remember that most costly and serious mechanical problems start as small noises, so make sure you’re all ears while driving your car.
2. Motion Changes
Schedule a trip to your car servicing right away when you notice sudden changes in the way your car moves or functions. These changes often go with the unusual noises. Some of the motion changes to look out for include vibrations, wobbling, and shaking sensations as the vehicles moves along the road. I always repair my car at Merlin motor in Singapore because they have experienced technicians. Similar with the unusual noises, describe the motions changes as accurately as possible to your technician. Describe the site of the motion, as well as the speed at which it is most severe.
3. Check Engine Light Flashes
This is one of the clear signs that something is wrong within the systems monitored by your car’s computer. Although there’s no cause for alarm if your check engine light is lit normally, it’s still a major sign to have your engine checked. If the engine light is flashing, however, then that’s a sign that your engine needs some immediate checking. The source of this problem could an emissions system issue, which may cause serious damage to your car’s catalytic converter if you continue driving it without undergoing necessary repairs.
So make sure that you visit an auto repair shop near your area in Singapore as soon as you notice your check engine light flashing. Remember, the engine is your vehicle’s heart and if it fails, you definitely won’t be able to drive your car.
4. Odd Smells
If you notice a overheated or burning smell as you drive, the problem could lie on the brakes, transmissions, engine belts or wheel bearings. Other than that, the sticky-sweet smell might also indicate a leaking coolant. So simply get your vehicle checked as soon as you notice anything that smells burnt.
5. Noisy Breaks
This warning sign usually come in the form of a continuous squeaking noise that only stops when you step on the brake pedal. By purchasing built-in wear indicators, you’ll know when your pads are getting low and should be replaced—this would help you avoid costly and extensive brake repairs. Make sure to thoroughly check your brake pads on a regular basis, and have them checked by a technician as soon as you hear them making grinding and squealing noises when pressed.
6. Excessive Smoke Emission
Excessive smoke emission is an indication of oil leak, and is usually accompanied by a burning smell. Although white smoke emission shouldn’t trouble you when driving your car during cold months, it’s the other way around when an excessive and unusual amount of black smoke is coming out of your car’s exhaust pipe. Visit your car servicing shop and have a technician check your car as soon as you notice this warning sign.
7. Leaks
Unlike the other warning signs, car leaks doesn’t immediately warrant a trip to the auto repair shop. Instead, start by carefully examining the droplets to see whether or not the leak is just fresh water or an engine oil. When examining leaks, check for a bright green or a dark brown liquid at the front of the car to see if it’s an engine oil, a brake fluid, or a transmission oil.
Remember that during summer months when the air conditioning is in full blast, water usually drips from the front areas of the car. So carefully examine any leaks first, before taking your vehicle to the car repair shop for some checking and repairs.
8. Hard Starting or Stalling
Your engine should start as soon as you push the start button or turn the key. Any engine that has problems starting, or stops running when idle, should immediately be brought to an auto repair shop. There are a lot of possible causes of hard starting or stalling, such as a faulty starter, low battery, timing problems, broken engine belts, and so on.
Getting a proper car maintenance is the key to keep your car from experiencing the aforementioned problems. So save yourself some time and money by taking your car to an automotive mechanic shop every now and then. You definitely wouldn’t want your car breaking down when you’re on your way to an important appointment.
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