Your vehicle is one of the most important assets you own. It gets you from place to place and provides you a method of private transportation. That’s why it’s important to keep your vehicle running at optimum performance and to understand when to take it to a repair shop. You never want to be going somewhere important and have your vehicle fail you during the trip. There are early signs you can be aware of that may indicate serious problems that will only become worse and costlier to fix if left unaddressed. If you find your vehicle sending any of these signals, then it’s a good idea for you to have it looked at by a professional as soon as you can.
Check Engine Light
If your check engine light comes on, then it’s a strong indicator that you need to get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible. The engine is one of the most valuable and expensive parts of your vehicle, so if the check engine light comes on it’s nothing to take lightly. The quicker you get a problem looked at involving your engine, the easier and less costly it’ll be to fix it. If you wait too long, then it could lead to other complications that might even be unfixable.
Stalling
If you drive an automatic vehicle and you find it to be stalling randomly while the transmission is set to drive or park, then you should take it to a mechanic immediately. Not only is it good to get it looked at so it can be fixed, but it also will decrease the chances of getting in an accident because your car died on the road and you lost control of it. Stalling can happen at anytime for a variety of different reasons, and it can be very dangerous. It’s best to get your vehicle to a repair shop where a certified mechanic can diagnose the underlying issue.
Fluid Leaks
Typically, if you see any type of fluid leaking from your vehicle, then you’ll want to get it to a repair shop as quickly as possible. You might notice it in the form of a small drip coming from the bottom of your car or a large puddle that accumulates underneath your car. You’ll know it’s a fluid leak if either of these are present when it’s not raining outside. The truth is, no matter what fluid is leaking from your car, it’ll eventually lead to a major issue. It could be fluid from your air conditioning system, brakes or another part of your vehicle. All of these issues will eventually require you to have a major repair done on your vehicle, so it’s best to get it looked at as soon as you notice the leaking fluid.
Exhaust Smoke
Excessive smoke coming from your exhaust pipe could mean a variety of different things for your car, and none of them are good news. Usually, it means your engine is struggling in some way and producing a lot of smoke as a result of a serious problem. It could be a variety of reasons from burning oil to too much gasoline being used, but it’s best to get your vehicle to a repair shop as soon as you can and get the problem diagnosed and fixed.
Don’t Ignore the Signs
While major vehicle repairs are something nobody wants to deal with, knowing what signs to look out for could mean the difference between a small fix and a totaled vehicle. If you catch a problem and have it looked at before it gets out of hand, you can potentially save yourself a whole lot of grief and money. Don’t ignore your vehicle when it’s trying to tell you something’s wrong—it’s too important an investment to neglect!
