You’ve had your car for a while and it runs like a champ. But, most of the 284.5 million cars registered in the US don’t tell you when they need maintenance.
But, If you know what to look for, you can tell when a trip to the mechanic is imminent. The sooner you catch issues, the cheaper it is to fix them.
We put together a quick list of our top 5 signs that you need to bring your car to the nearest auto mechanic. Keep reading to learn how to spot the warnings before your car breaks down.
- The Car Leaks Fluids
When you park your car for a while then move it, do you see any fluid puddles, that’s a problem. The color of the fluid tells you what’s leaking.
Black or dark brown is most often engine oil and needs a change when it gets that dark. If you see a neon green, that’s your anti-freeze fluid.
If you see a red puddle, don’t drive the car! That means your power steering or transmission fluid is leaking and you could lose control of the car.
- The Engine Doesn’t Want to Start
Over the last few weeks, you’ve noticed the car struggling to start. It’s even flat-out refused to start at all a couple of times!
A good mechanic can diagnose your ignition problems right away. Most of the time, it’s an easy fix too! But, ignoring the issue could result in you having to tow the car in because it won’t start at all anymore.
- If You Smell Anything Odd, Go to the Nearest Auto Mechanic ASAP
Let’s say you’re sitting in your car, driving down the road, and you smell something odd. There are tons of reasons you could catch a whiff of something unpleasant coming from your car. But, anything causing a foul odor needs immediate attention from a car mechanic.
- The Car Uses More Gas Than It Used To
You used to go a week or more on one tank of gas. Now you fill up at least twice a week and your driving habits haven’t changed.
When your car starts to use more gasoline than usual, there’s something wrong. Taking the car to an auto mechanic for a tune-up often fixes this and brings your gas usage back down.
- You Hear Strange Noises
Does your car make weird noises while you’re driving? Rattling, thumping, high-pitched squeals, or other odd noises need attention as soon as possible.
Don’t Let Car Troubles Crash Your Life
If you take care of your car, it takes care of you right back. Make sure you keep up on the maintenance though or you’ll end up stranded on the side of the road.
Keep these warning signs in mind any time you get into your car. If you notice anything unusual, make an appointment with the mechanic ASAP!
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that you learned when to take your car to the nearest auto mechanic. If you’re looking for more informative articles about cars, traveling, and more, check out the rest of our blog today!
Hemant Kumar is a project manager at Tridindia with more than nine years of commendable experience in writing about LMS, translation, and IT. His unmatched talent and passion for digital marketing gave him the opportunity to work as a multi-tasking project manager at TridIndia’s sister company, Link Building Corp. Today, he contributes to the world by imparting knowledge on SEO, link building and internet marketing etc., that helps business owners grow their online business.
