Telltale Signs That Your Car Needs Maintenance
The number of car accidents and fires is concerning especially when modern cars these days have many sensors and signals which will alert the driver of any operational problem, many of which are often ignored or dealt with at a later date. Accident cases could be avoided if car owners notice the telltale signs, and prioritize and act upon them as soon as possible.
Below are some signs that your car gives you when it needs service maintenance:
1. Flashing Dashboard
The first thing about car malfunctions is that they typically will show up on your dashboard. The most common one is the check engine light. This one’s tricky because it could range from a minor issue to a significant problem like cylinder misfires, a failing ignition coil, a broken alternator, fuel pump issues, and so on.
When that happens, it’s best to send your car to the workshop right away for a fast car repair before the fault escalates further.
2. Smoke
Seeing unusual amounts of smoke in places they shouldn’t be is a bad sign. Smoke presents an overheated car engine that stems from many issues. Or if it occurs in your exhaust pipe, it points to problems in the combustion chamber.
For instance, if your car is smoking under the hood, the issue can be anything from problems in your coolant system, leaky brake fluids, faulty wiring, and more.
Or, if your exhaust pipe is blowing out blue smoke, it means your car is burning seeping engine oil instead of fuel, which is usually also accompanied by a distinct aroma. If you see thick white exhaust smoke that doesn’t fade, it’s a symptom of a leaking coolant. If your car isn’t cooling the way it should, it risks engine overheating and severe damage.
Detecting these problems early can save you costs. But because these signs can mean many things, or result from a combination of issues in your car, get a proper diagnosis from a mobile car service repair shop in Singapore.
3. Strange Sounds
So far, we’ve identified car issues using sight and smell. But every good car mechanic will tell you a good ear is a key to determining the health of your car.
There are plenty of reasons for unusual noises coming from beneath the hood. If you hear unusual rattling or metal clanking noises in your car, it can be a problem with the timing belt or timing chain.
Another type of sound you should pay close attention to is the cranking, clicking, or popping noise when turning—a sign of steering system problems. It can be the sway bars, a steering column, or another component of the steering system. This type of fault can lead to severe damage to the steering assembly, and it can make your car unsafe to drive.
Another common area you can tell from sound is the car brakes. If you have squeaky car breaks, it means either your brake disks or brake plates are worn out.
If you hear strange noises in your car, have them checked out by a fast car repair shop with skilled mechanics.
4. Unusual Leakages
Last of the telltale signs is paying attention to the color of leaks found beneath your car can indicate different issues with your vehicle. If you have an oil leak or leak in your brake fluids, you should see dark black, brown, or even yellowish spills on the ground. These are serious problems that you shouldn’t continue to drive with, and it requires immediate car towing services in Singapore.
A coolant leak is commonly green, but it can also come in pink or orange, and it tends to be more viscous and slimy. These are less threatening, but you should still get the problem looked at and fixed by a mobile car repair service in Singapore before it leads to something more severe.
If you’re excited to begin taking greater charge of the care and maintenance of your car and want to learn more in-depth knowledge, take a look at our Basic Car Maintenance for Everyone course.
