Taking your car into the shop can be a big deal. But knowing a few tips can help you avoid some potentially costly repairs down the road. Pay attention to clunking or ticking sounds, which can indicate serious mechanical issues. Likewise, ask for an itemized estimate for a repair job.
The Warning Lights Are Illuminated
Your car’s dashboard has various indicator lights for different reasons. If multiple lights light up at once, it’s time to bring your vehicle in for a check-up to a mechanic Apopka FL, as soon as possible. The seat belt light, for example, indicates that someone in the car isn’t wearing a seat belt. It could be dangerous for you and your passengers. Another critical warning light, the engine temperature light, illuminates when your car is overheating. Pull over as soon as you can safely and shut off the engine. When more oil is needed for the car, a warning light that resembles an oil can turn on. It is a good sign; however, if the light remains on after adding more oil, it may indicate a bigger problem.
The Check Engine Light Comes On
If you’ve ever driven a car with its Check Engine light on, you know how intimidating it can be. It can trigger a sense of dread in drivers who equate the orange symbol with expensive repair bills. This dashboard indicator may point to several problems, such as a misfiring engine or a loose gas cap. Visiting a mechanic who can pull the trouble codes triggering the warning light and thoroughly test your vehicle is crucial. Most problems that can trigger the check engine light are relatively minor and will not cause significant damage to your car over time. However, they will likely decrease your fuel efficiency and produce more emissions, which could be better for the environment and your wallet.
The Engine Is Stalling
Suppose your car’s engine stalls while driving; it can be an embarrassing, scary, or even dangerous experience. Not only does this cause you to lose control of the vehicle, but it also makes it impossible to accelerate and apply brakes as you normally would. A stalled engine has many causes, but most often, it is due to airflow problems. Leaky air intake tubes, dirty air filters, and other airflow issues can disrupt the proper mix of fuel to air needed for your engine to combust correctly, leading to stalling. Other reasons for engine stalling can be electrical, including problems with fuses, faulty sensors, and wiring. Any electrical problem that is affecting the performance of your car’s engine should be investigated by a professional.
The Tires Are Guzzling Gas
Your car performs best when all of its parts are functioning correctly. So, if you notice any signs that something isn’t right, such as unusual sounds, a strange smell, leaking fluids, or a shaking steering wheel, a professional must look at the problem. For example, if the pressure in your tires is lower than what is recommended, this will result in increased rolling resistance and more effort to move your car along the road. According to some estimates, inflating your tires according to the manufacturer’s recommendation can improve fuel economy by up to 3%. Also, leaving your engine idling for too long wastes gas. Up to a quarter of a gallon of gas can be consumed when you run your car for a few minutes.
The Brakes Are Sticky
If you notice one of your car’s wheels lurching toward the side whenever you brake, that is usually a sign of a stuck or frozen brake caliper. This issue can be dangerous to your safety and lead to expensive damage if left untreated. Brake calipers are what squeeze the disc rotor to slow your car down. Usually, they can move and retract with ease. However, over time, various things can go wrong with these mechanical components, including deteriorating protective boots, main seals, and slider pins. These issues can cause the piston in a cylinder machined into the body of the brake caliper to stick and not return to its original position. When this happens, you’ll often notice your vehicle pulling to one side when braking or driving and even see excess heat on that wheel.