Cars will always develop issues over time. As they get older, serious issues become far more likely. This includes engine trouble, brake issues and even problems with the steering. While some of these problems will mean that cars are dangerous to drive, others will become more expensive, the longer you leave them. That’s why it’s important to know when you need a professional mechanic to get your car back on the road.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the biggest issues that you can have including the warning signs and the steps that a mechanic will take to get your car road ready once more.
Engine Trouble
There are various signs that your engine isn’t working correctly in your vehicle. The first is if your engine won’t start or if it takes a while to get your engine to start. Be aware this can also be as simple as a drained battery, particularly if you haven’t used the vehicle in quite some time. Older cars can drain their battery after just a few days of being left parked in a garage. Other signs include rough idling or more frequent stalling and even loss of power. You might also notice the check engine light flashing up on your dash. This is a clear sign that your car could benefit from a trip to the mechanics sooner rather than later.
The most common cause of a serious engine issue while driving is the engine overheating. This is going to occur if you have a low level of coolant. Most modern cars will warn if your coolant levels are getting low so you can correct the issue before it damages the engine. You could also have engine trouble due to lubricant issues. A build up of sludge in the oil is more than enough to bring your car’s engine to a grinding, clunking halt.
Brake Issues
Your brakes are an essential part of your vehicle. If your brakes stop working correctly, then it will mean the roads are far more dangerous for you, anyone in your car and any other drivers nearby your vehicle.
Arguably, the most common issue with your brakes is going to be worn down brake pads. As with other parts of your vehicle, these will always wear down overtime. Eventually they will reach the point where they become useless and start to damage your callipers. The difference between replacing your pads and replacing your callipers is the difference between a few hundred and a few thousand in repairs. That’s why you should get your brakes checked regularly by a professional. If your brakes start squeaking, this is always going to be a clear sign that they need a replacement part.
There are other causes of brake issues like brake fluid leaks. This will lead to your brakes becoming soft and spongy. They won’t feel as nearly as firm as they used to and it’s another warning sign that they have stopped working as they should. It may mean that your braking distance is far less than it should be.
Transmission Problems
There are lots of different signs that your transmission isn’t working correctly. This could include problems shifting gears or unusual noises. You might even find that your car is slipping in and out of gears, even while you are driving. In the worst case scenario, this could be a warning sign that your car needs a new gearbox. This becomes more likely if you are prone to missing gears when you driving, leading to the dreaded grinding noise that seasoned drivers absolutely hate.
As well as wear and tear, transmission issues are another problem that tend to be caused by leaks. If you catch an issue like this early enough, you can avoid it leading to more damage to your gearbox as well as all your other systems. Using the wrong type of transmission fluid can also lead to trouble here and that’s why you should always get a qualified mechanic to replace it for you.
Electrical Failures
Modern cars these days are always run using one big computer system. This means that if there’s an electrical fault with your vehicle, then the whole thing can stop running correctly and it can lead to a lot of problems on the road.
An electrical fault could be as simple as a dead or weak battery. If you have a spare battery or a charger in your garage, then you may be able to fix this issue yourself. However, do be aware that it could also be a bigger problem caused by something like frayed wires. This isn’t just difficult to repair, it's dangerous as it can be a fire hazard. That’s why if you notice any signs of electrical failures such as flickering lights or systems ceasing to function, you should always get your car checked out by an expert. Regular car maintenance or service will help you identify issues like this before they become a bigger headache.
Cooling System Malfunctions
If your engine overheats, then it can lead to serious damage to your vehicle. This could be caused due to damage to your engine’s radiator. Engine radiators are more fragile than most people realise. If you hit a pump or cause a stone to fly up under your car when you are driving at fast speeds, then it can leave a hole in your radiator. Eventually, this is going to cause all your cooling fluid to drain out of your vehicle. That means that your engine won’t be able to keep cool and it will lead to a series of warning lights across your dash.
Exhaust Problems
If you notice excessive levels of smoke flowing from your exhausts, then this is a sign of a significant exhaust problem with your vehicle. You might even notice an exhaust smell inside the vehicle. This is a serious health and safety issue and could even lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if left unchecked. This might be due to an exhaust leak or even an exhaust blockage. It’s unlikely to be something that you can fix yourself easily. Failure to repair this issue may also lead to more damage to your vehicle, even after a few hours of driving.
Suspension
There’s an easy way to check the suspension on your vehicle. This is known as the bounce test. To do this, put the car in park or the handbrake on and then push down on the back or the front of the car. If the vehicle takes a few bounces to stop moving, then this suggests that there is a problem with the suspension that you need to address. On the other hand, if the car barely moves at all when you bounce down on it, your suspension should be fine.
Issues with the suspension are worrisome because a problem here will mean that the car is more unpredictable on the road, particularly when you are turning down long, twisty roads or tight corners. Similar to issues with the steering, it will also mean that the car is more difficult to handle and manage overall and this is the last thing that you want.
There are a wide number of reasons why your suspension might stop working. For older vehicles, this could be a result of worn out components such as springs, shocks and struts.
Steering
There are lots of things that can go wrong with the steering on your vehicle. For instance, you could have low power steering fluid. If this occurs, then you’ll notice that the steering becomes far more stiff overall. Eventually, you might struggle to turn the wheel at all. This is another issue that is going to make your car far more difficult to maneuver overall. There could also be an issue with the power steering pump. This will result in a whining noise and once again cause stiffer steering, particularly at lower speeds.
Issues with steering may also relate to the wheels or the tyres of the vehicle. This will be the case if the steering wheel is shaking or if you are struggling to keep it steady when you are driving.
If you notice an issue with your steering then it is important to have it checked out by a qualified mechanic. A steering check is often included in the annual service of your vehicle. So, if you are getting your car checked regularly, you should be able to avoid a problem like this getting worse over time.
Tyres
You must ensure that you are changing your tyres as regularly as legally required. How frequently you need to change your tyres will depend on both the quality of the tyres you are using and your type of car. For instance, large cars with bigger tyres may require more frequent tire changes to keep them safe. You can check whether your tyres need changing with a tread measurer or even a coin. This will tell you whether the tread has worn down to dangerous levels and is no longer providing the right level of grip on the roads.
You may find that your tyres are wearing down unevenly. If that’s the case, then this suggests that your wheels need to be realigned. A telltale sign of this issue is if you feel the car pulling to the left or the right while you are driving. A professional mechanic can provide a wheel alignment service and this is often included as an extra during a tire replacement.
Be aware that some people change their tyres for different seasons. For instance, you may want to add winter tyres to your vehicle. These provide more grip and stability in winter conditions such as when there is snow or ice on the road.
Fuel Systems
Issues with the fuel system could include problems with the fuel pump, fuel injectors or fuel filters. In the best case scenario this is going to lead to slight issues with your engine. In the worst case, then you may find that it causes your engine to stop working completely. Fixing this will often require both special tools and expert knowledge. That’s why it’s always in your best interest to put your car in the hands of a qualified, reputable mechanic.
Oil Leaks
You could have a problem with an oil leak in your vehicle. This is often noticeable when the car is parked if there is a puddle underneath the car when it has been left for quite some time. Be aware that it’s natural for cars to drip excess water. The easiest way to determine whether it is an oil leak is to smell the liquid. Oil has a very noticeable scent that is virtually impossible to miss. The problem here is that while you might spot an oil leak it’s more difficult to identify the source. It often requires you to explore underneath the car and inside the engine. That’s why it’s worth speaking to a professional mechanic about a potential oil leak. They will be able to identify the cause of the leak and also ensure that it is repaired the right way.
If you leave an oil leak for too long then it is going to mean that you have a lower level of oil in the engine. Your engine needs oil to remain lubricated. Without oil, different parts will grind together. You might even notice a grinding noise while you are driving the vehicle if the oil levels are running low. You should also see a warning light on your dash if this is an issue.
As you can see, there are numerous times where you will need support from a professional mechanic to get your car back on the road and we’re here to help. Here at MB Motors, we have years of experience working on a long list of different models and makes of cars. As such, we are confident that we can fix any issue you might have in the right amount of time for the best possible cost.
