One of the cool things about having any type of vehicle is that if you’re so inclined, you can learn how to fix a range of things. Part of good car or truck ownership is understanding how to run general maintenance on it – it helps with avoiding huge repairs, and it means that you can spot problems earlier.
But, even if you’re pretty skilled at fixing and maintaining, there are a couple of things that you are going to need to head to a professional auto repair & maintenance garage to take care of.
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Noises
Older engines tend to make a little noise anyway, but there is a difference between a healthy engine noise and the screech and squealing that you might experience. Any noises that sound like metal on metal, clanking, screeching, popping, or grinding are cause for concern.
If you hear something when the car starts, let it sit running for a few minutes and see if you can gauge the noise so you can describe it to the mechanic before you take it in.
Another noise that is awful but common is when the exhaust starts blowing; that is a noise that indicates there is something in the exhaust system that has a gap.
The exhaust ensures that all of the gases that your car makes are filtered away; when that is not working correctly, the gases can be blown into the cabin of the vehicle.
Dash Lights
There are a lot of people who will ignore the lights on the dashboard until a later date, but they are the best way for your car to tell you what is going wrong.
There are times when the dashboard diagnostic lights are also malfunctioning and showing you issues that aren’t there. But if your oil light is flashing or your battery light comes on every now and then – it is always worth getting it checked out.
Leaks
The problem with many leaks on vehicles is that unless they are large or oil, they often go unnoticed for a while. You’ll only be able to figure out (in most cases) that you have a leak because you find yourself topping up the fluids more often than the car manual says.
While most leaks can be fixed as and when a few liquids highlight a bigger problem, power steering fluid, brake fluid, coolant, oil, and transmission fluid are all causes for concern.
An oil leak is most likely going to be spotted when you move the car from its regular parking space; there is going to be a puddle or a mark on the floor. It is more noticeable in the rain, as the rainwater won’t settle on this patch.
Leaks on cars can start off relatively small and harmless and quickly turn into a much bigger problem – so before it becomes serious, book your car in to get it checked and repaired.
Juddering and Bumps
Over time, cars do become a little less smooth, but if you notice that there is a significant judder or the drive is more bumpy and uncomfortable than before, that is an issue that needs to be checked out. Wheel alignment is often the cause of vibrations and shudders at higher speeds, but this can happen at any time.
Although wheel alignment isn’t a difficult job, it is something that a professional should take care of.
There are other causes of judder or a bump when driving, though it could be a tire pressure issue, which you can solve yourself by adding air to the tires. Another cause could be that the wheel rims have been damaged and become warped, which can cause a serious incident.
A more expensive option, which can sometimes be the case, is that the suspension has an issue or the catalytic converter (a clogged one will cause a jerky movement when accelerating).
Steering
Anything that impacts how well you can control the vehicle means you need to speak to a professional. When it comes to steering, there could be several issues, but the most common one is low-power steering fluid or a malfunction. Power steering fluid can be topped up, but it is worth having this inspected just to be sure that is what it is. Anyone who drives a vehicle of any type should be able to make a few repairs when needed because you never know when you might break down. Still on the fence if it is a skill you need? Read this: Is It Worth Learning How To Do Your Own Car Repairs? – NEW YORK TRUCKSTOP.
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