Is your car having difficulty starting up? Is it chugging and blowing out smoke? Which kind of problem can you do yourself and which ones should alert you it’s time to visit a mechanic ship?
Knowing when to get your car checked by auto repair services can make it cheaper for you. After all, if you put it off, the damage might take a turn for the worse and make you spend more.
Take note that automotive repair costs United States drivers $50 billion a year, so if you want to save as much money as possible, you need to care for your car properly.
Here are ten signs your car needs a tune-up:
1. Check Engine Light is On:
A check engine light isn’t a cause for concern when it’s lit–a flashing one is a major indicator of a problem. It could mean that there’s something wrong within any components and systems monitored by your car’s computer. However, as long as the light is on, you must have the engine checked sometime soon.
If you want to know more about scheduled Subaru maintenance, you can read more here. Otherwise, when an engine-like symbol glows in your dash, you need to get the engine checked as soon as possible. It might be an issue with the emissions system, which can give serious damage to your catalytic converter.
2. Smoke Out of the Hood:
Vehicles must never have any type of smoke coming out from under their hood. If you see this, it’s a sure sign of overheating. This can give serious damage to your car’s engine if you continue driving without addressing the issue.
Look at the dash and make sure to check the temperature gauge on a regular basis. Make sure that it isn’t giving way for whatever reason. It’s important that you pull over when you’re driving since it allows you to let it cool down and call an automotive repair service for assistance.
Another reason is that you’re leaking coolant liquids from the radiator, hose, or gasket. This is especially true when the white smoke comes from the car’s engine compartment.
3. Transmission Issues:
When you’re driving, take note of the way your car operates in a normal situation. Ask yourself these questions: Is it difficult for the car to achieve speed? Does it surge or give off odd sounds when operating?
If you answer yes to these questions, you need to get car repair services. Without professional service repairs, you could get into an accident while on the road. This creates a dangerous situation for you and your kids.
There might be a recurring transmission problem with your vehicle. Taking it to an automotive repair shop fixes the problem with the use of the latest technologies available. It’s necessary for you to do this as soon as you can to avoid spending more in the future.
4. Excessive Smoke and Noise from Exhaust:
Pay attention to the sounds your car makes when you’re driving. The type of noise you hear will dictate the kind of possible problem. For example, if you hear hissing sounds from the exhaust, it’s possible that its manifold or pipe has a crack.
As for excessive smoke, one possible reason is that you have an oil leak, especially when a burning smell accompanies it. In cold winter months, you might notice that there’s more white smoke when you first start your car. This isn’t a cause for alarm because it’s only water vapor coming out of the exhaust system–they’ll disappear once the temperature of the engine increases.
But when you’re driving and see too much smoke from the exhaust, it’s best to go to a repair shop first. The same is true if you check your car’s bumper area and notice a black residue near the area of the exhaust pipe.
5. Gas Mileage Decreases:
If your car experiences a sudden drop in its gas mileage, you need to schedule routine maintenance as soon as you can. This could mean that you’ll need to fill up its gas tank more often. The reason why this is urgent is due to the fact that you want to save as much money as possible for the gas, especially now that a barrel of oil is at $70.
One of the main reasons behind this might be a bad fuel injector or a dirty fuel filter. It might also mean that there’s a problem with the spark plugs. Either way, it requires your utmost attention and the help of professionals.
6. Difficulty Starting Vehicle:
When getting into trips, do you find it difficult to make your vehicle startup? If your answer is yes, then it might be a good time for you to visit a repair shop for a tune-up. You need to do this as soon as possible especially when you’re having a difficult time turning over right when you’re trying to make it start.
Another possible reason is that you’re trying to start it while the engine is hot from the outside weather. It’s related to the car’s fuel, especially since a hot engine makes it harder for fuel to circulate because of the blocking vapor. In a worst-case scenario, the car won’t even start.
Remember, even after you shut the engine, it will still get hot for a short while. During this time, water vapor will spread around, obstructing the engine from circulating fuel.
7. Excessive Leaks:
Noises and leaks are two of the most common problems for 2017 car models. You need to take your car to the nearest mechanic if it has major leaks underneath. If you’re checking for leaks, the most common location is toward the car’s front, where you might see different-colored liquids.
If the liquid is bright green, it’s the coolant leaking. Otherwise, dark red or brown liquids can either be transmission oil, brake fluid, or engine oil. But if it’s only plain water, don’t worry–it’s the normal result of the air conditioner running during warm summer months.
8. Signs of Rust:
When you see rust on your car, you need to remove it fast regardless of whether you do it on your own or let professionals help you. When left alone, a single rust spot can grow fast and cause a structural problem if it reaches a certain size.
Deal with it fast since most states will never pass inspections if they have rust holes in the body. It’s especially needed if you bought a secondhand car.
It doesn’t matter if the spot is small or it’s located in an unimportant part of the car body. You need to eliminate it as soon as you see it. To do this in an effective manner, you need to understand the most problematic areas in your car as well as the methods you need to address the problem.
9. Vehicle Shakes or Jumps :
When you experience this, it’s a sign of a performance issue. It might be a good time for you to take your car for a tune-up. Take it for a test drive on a shop or make an appointment so you don’t end up stalling in a place you’d rather not be in.
Always remember that a driving experience should be free from shaking or jumping. After all, the probable cause of this problem is within the car’s engine. It might be due to clogged fuel lines or filters, as well as bad spark plugs.
Again, you need to fix this problem as soon as possible since it hinders your vehicle’s acceleration most of the time. It might even give out in the most unpleasant situations, like merging onto a highway while fast-going vehicles are behind you. You can prevent it by changing the oil regularly as well as replacing the belts at certain intervals.
10. Squealing When Turning:
Experiencing this while driving is another good reason to visit an auto shop and get a tune-up for your car. It’s possible that some of the important fluids your car needs are approaching dangerously low levels that need urgent refills. Another reason for the squeals is that the car might have a leak, meaning that replacing the liquids isn’t a definite way to fix your problem.
Aside from squealing, your vehicle might emit a jerking feeling when you’re shifting. It’s especially noticeable when you’re shifting into drive. If this happens, you might need to get a new transmission filter and liquid to fix this problem.
Failing to do this early, you might need to spend more money on a new transmission system.
Discover More Auto Repair Tips Today:
With these auto repair tips, you’ll know when you have to bring your car in for a checkup. It’s always safer to hire professionals when getting a tune-up or when it’s time to replace old car parts.
But don’t stop here. There are more great car service tips for you to discover. Visit us today and read some of our other guides to ensure you drive safely, like this post about the safety of self-driving cars.
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