4 Warning Signs That Your Car Needs Service

Regular maintenance and servicing are required if you want your vehicle to be healthy and serve your needs for a longer period of time.
Check engine light

The evolution of automobiles and cars has been rapid throughout time. Similar to how our bodies require a lot of care and upkeep, so do cars. Continuous use and improper maintenance can harm them, resulting in high repair costs.

Avoiding unnecessary costs can be accomplished by sticking to a schedule for car maintenance and monitoring the vehicle’s performance. The first step to take is to find a local service that is right for you. You will need a service that is familiar with the roads on which you drive your car and also a service that is in the vicinity of which you live in. So if you live in North Vancouver for example, you will want to look for the best auto body repair shop North Vancouver has to offer, in order to get the ideal services for your car needs. 

Of course, it’s never harmful to just schedule an inspection of your car every now and then, but there are some warning signs that indicate a need for immediate service on your car.

Check engine light turns on

Many vehicles now have a helpful check engine light or indicator thanks to technological advancements in the automotive sector. Several of your car’s internal systems are linked to the check engine light, so it’s important to pay close attention to this indicator. When there is a problem with your car, these lights come on.

It would be best to go to an auto shop and have it checked out by car service experts or auto mechanics if you notice this light on. The majority of these lights have a typical flashing pattern.

When your check engine light starts blinking, it means there is a serious problem with your car, so getting it checked out should be your top priority. You will still need to take your car to a mechanic to have the engine checked if the light is constantly on, as well.

When you feel vibrations coming from your car

Any time a car vibrates while being driven is a bad sign, and you should have a mechanic look it over right away. This issue can be caused by a variety of factors, including worn brake pads, flat tires, a lack of oil, or a malfunctioning engine joint which will probably lead to two or more engine components colliding and scraping against one another.

Vibrations can result in serious issues with your car. Furthermore, driving in a car that vibrates can be uncomfortable, especially if you’re on the steering wheel. An engine inspection is the best course of action if you’re having these problems.

A knocking sound is another vibration-related issue that requires prompt professional assistance. Lack of oil in your engine is one of the common causes of this knocking sound, which may cause internal component damage and eventually result in an engine breakdown.

You sense a bad smell 

A smelly car can mean a number of things. It might be an engine oil smell, or in the worst-case scenario, a smell that indicates that your car needs repairing. Although many odors point to minor issues, some may indicate serious problems that call for immediate professional help.

The smells that emanate from your car are very diverse. For instance, a catalytic converter issue that may require replacement or repair is indicated by a smell similar to rotten eggs. If your car emits a burning odor, it likely has an electrical issue that needs professional attention and car service because it could be fatal to the health of your vehicle.

Smoke

In any circumstance, seeing smoke coming from your car is never a good sign. You need to take care of this problem right away. Your car emitting smoke could be due to a number of factors. This is perhaps the most critical sign of the four essential indicators that your car needs maintenance.

One cause might be the engine overheating, which typically causes smoke to come from your hood. Many contemporary cars have temperature needles or indicators that show engine overheating and let you know when something is wrong with your vehicle. If you don’t fix these problems right away, your entire engine might be affected. As a result, you might need to substitute it, which could take more time and money.

You can also identify the issue by looking at the color of the smoke. For instance, white smoke may result from poor coolant in your car while black smoke may be an indication of a gasoline issue. A blue-tinted smoke denotes an oil leak, which is unquestionably a significant problem to address.

Final Thoughts 

Regular maintenance and servicing are required if you want your vehicle to be healthy and serve your needs for a longer period of time. Whether you feel vibrations from your car or sense a bad smell you will need professional assistance from qualified mechanics.

Robert Cooke
Rob is a certified mechanic and long-time automotive enthusiast who has worked on everyday passenger vehicles, race and rally cars, and derby cars.