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In many cases, it’s beneficial to fix car faults early. Even if they don’t seem that serious, they could get worse over time and have a knock-on effect on other parts of your car.
Of course, being able to repair problems early involves being able to detect these problems early. Sometimes the signs of a problem can be subtle at first. This post details just a few of the warning signs to look out for to help you stay on top of maintenance.
Warning lights
Warning lights are the most obvious sign that something is wrong with your car. These are the yellow and red lights that flash up on your dashboard.
Because these warning lights are universal, it’s easy to look up and learn a lot of them. For some warning lights such as ‘low tire pressure’, you may be able to easily solve the problem by checking your tire air pressure and filling up with air if needed. Others may require you to visit a mechanic to diagnose and fix.
Sometimes warning lights can malfunction. A mechanic will be able to tell if you have an electrical issue or if it’s a genuine problem. Just make sure that you don’t ignore warning lights under the assumption that they are an electrical glitch.
Fluid puddles
Got puddles collecting under your vehicle after you’ve parked? It’s actually quite normal for vehicles to drip water after a long drive – this is usually condensation from the exhaust pipe or air conditioning unit. You should however worry, if fluid seems to be coming from somewhere else and doesn’t look like water.
Puddles of brown, black or amber liquid are typically engine oil. If you spot this type of leak, it’s important to get your vehicle into a repair centre as soon as possible. Other fluids to watch out for are engine coolant, battery fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid and window washer fluid.
Strange noises
Cars produce all kinds of noises. As we get used to driving a certain car, we will quickly pick up on which sounds are normal and which are abnormal. It’s important to not ignore sounds that may seem unusual – as they could be a sign of a mechanical problem.
What types of sounds should you be listening out for? Squealing, grinding, clicking, rattling and hissing sounds are usually all signs of problems. You should be particularly wary of sounds when braking, steering, changing gear or reversing – don’t allow these noises to get worse, as you could be causing more damage.
Odd smells
Our sense of smell can also help us to pick up on potential car faults. If an unusual smell can’t be easily traced to anything inside or outside your car, consider whether it is the car itself producing that smell.
Burning smells are clearly the most serious smells – you should pull over as soon as you smell burning, turn off the engine, get out and call roadside assistance if this happens. Burning rubber could meanwhile be a tyre issue, while smells from air conditioning could be due to mould or bacteria. Other failing parts can produce other smells ranging from rotten egg smells to plastic burning smells. Don’t ignore these odours – they could be the first sign that something is wrong.
Steering issues
Cars can experience many different steering issues, which can affect the control that you have over your vehicle. It’s important to pay attention to how the car’s steering feels. If the vehicle is pulling over to the side, slipping or feeling very stiff, it could be time to take it into a repair centre.
Steering issues could be due to low power steering fluid, a damaged power steering belt or suspension/tire issues. A professional mechanic will be able to diagnose the problem and fix it before it potentially becomes dangerous. When driving a new car, be wary that responsiveness can vary from vehicle to vehicle – you may not always know if there is a steering problem, however it could be worth looking up a review of the car to see what others think of the car’s normal steering.
Unusual vibrations
All cars vibrate a little – but are they The Beach Boys type of vibrations, or are they bad vibrations? Changes in vibrations are usually a sign that something is wrong. If the steering wheel or gear stick is vibrating, it could be due to a lack of lubrication or worn parts. More general vibrations around the car could be the result of suspension issues. In either case, it’s worth getting these problems checked out.
Vibrations often cause knock-on damage by shaking parts loose or causing parts to rub. This is why it’s important not to ignore vibrations around your vehicle.
Servicing
Getting a professional to fully inspect your vehicle every year is one of the best ways to detect issues early. An MOT only looks at a few vital areas of your vehicle. A full car service on the other hand is much more detailed – plus you can usually get services like an oil change and fluid top up included.
Some repair centres are able to carry out servicing on a range of vehicles. Others specialise in servicing for certain vehicles such as Range Rover servicing – and may have extra niche tools and knowledge to help detect faults. Some people get a service done at the same time as their MOT, while others schedule it at a different time of the year to spread out the cost. One of the best times to do it could be before embarking on a very long journey, so that you can repair any faults before you set off.
Visual inspections
You may be able to spot certain problems simply by walking around the vehicle and occasionally checking under the bonnet. Most people never really take a close look at their tyres, but it can be worth doing occasionally to make sure that there’s no excessive wear or other damage. Similarly, you may be able to spot faults with components under the bonnet simply by looking at them (such as corrosion or leaks).
Try to do this every month if you can. It will help you to keep track of the condition of your vehicle and you’ll have a better idea as to when an issue may have occurred.
