Signs that your car is having problems

Engine warning light

As soon as you see the check engine light come on, think about it immediately that it is time to take your car to the service shop. In most cases, when it comes on, your car may have a serious problem.

When the engine warning light comes on, you must take your car in for service. (Illustration photo)

Difficulty starting the car

If you are having trouble starting your car, it is time to take it to a repair shop. This could be a sign of a number of different problems including the battery, the starter, etc. If you ignore this sign for a long time, the problem will get worse and you may end up stranded on the road if the car “dies”.

The car accelerates slowly.

When you notice that the time it takes your car to accelerate from 0 to 60km/h is slower than before, it is a sign that the car is in bad condition.

A common cause of slow acceleration is a problem with the spark plugs, fuel delivery or air intake. These are all relatively easy and inexpensive problems to fix, so you should get your car checked if you notice this happening.

Another possibility is that your car's transmission is slipping. This is a more serious problem that will require the help of a professional mechanic to diagnose and fix.

Fluid leakage

There are many fluids inside your car. These include: Engine oil, brake fluid, engine coolant, windshield washer fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid...

If you see any of these fluids leaking, it's a sign your car is in bad condition. (Illustration photo)

If you see any of these fluids leaking, it is a sign that your car is in bad condition. You should take it to a repair shop as soon as possible to have it checked.

Fluid leaks are dangerous because they can cause your car to overheat or not have proper braking power.

If you catch a fluid leak early, it will be easier to fix. But if you let it go too long, it can cause major damage to your car and cost you a lot of money to fix.

Abnormal vibration

When driving on rough roads, it is normal to feel vibrations in the steering wheel and chassis. This is caused by the wheels contacting the rough surface. However, pay attention to this phenomenon when it occurs on smooth roads. The cause of this phenomenon can be a sign of internal damage such as from the engine or suspension system.

A poorly performing car engine can cause the car to lose power when accelerating or going uphill. This could be due to a faulty spark plug.

Car owners should listen for unusual signs to promptly take their cars for maintenance. (Illustration photo)

Suspicious noise

As soon as you hear some unusual noises like rattling, grinding coming from your car, it is a suspicious sign and you should check your car. These noises usually come from the brakes, engine or suspension system and this condition can put your car in danger. If you do not want your car to die on the road, take it to a mechanic and have it checked as soon as possible.

Another suspicious noise is a humming sound coming from the fuel tank. It is likely that there is a leak in the fuel line and it can easily lead to an explosion. So if you hear sounds like this, don’t waste your time and take your car to a garage immediately.

The car emits too much smoke.

It's always a bad thing when you see your car emitting a lot of smoke. Your car may have an oil leak or worse, engine damage.

It is dangerous to continue driving a car that is smoking this much, so take it to a repair shop and have a professional diagnose the problem and tell you what to do. In some cases, excessive smoke can even be a sign that your car is about to catch fire.

Frequent engine failure

Stalling is common in manual transmission vehicles and is not a good sign, especially when it happens in automatic transmission vehicles. It is a sign of a serious internal problem.

Any of the following can lead to a stalling problem, such as a dead battery, faulty spark plugs, faulty ignition, improper clutch application, a faulty fuel pump... Therefore, you must adjust and fix most of these small problems to prevent larger problems from occurring.