3 Signs That Your Car Needs Immediate Service
The complex designs and technological features of modern automobiles make them vulnerable to a wide range of mechanical problems. Many of these problems may cause annoyance without actually presenting an immediate threat to your safety or your car's well-being. However, other issues may require immediate service.
If you're not a professional mechanic, you may struggle to tell an automotive emergency from a common, non-urgent mechanical gremlin. As a general rule, pay careful attention to the following three trouble signs, any of which might prompt you to have your car towed to a trusted automotive repair shop.
1. Urgent Dashboard Indicator Warnings
Your car dashboard can alert you to potential trouble through a variety of illuminated symbols. Some of these warnings may simply mean that you forgot to fasten your seat belt, while others may warn you that you have a problem with your anti-lock brakes, traction control system, or some other non-essential system worthy of eventual evaluation.
Other warning lights indicate a serious problem that requires your attention immediately. For example, if your oil pressure light comes on, a dangerous loss of oil could cause your engine to seize up at any moment. A high engine temperature warning often means that you've lost coolant, another problem that can seriously damage the engine.
Still other indicator lights lie between these two extremes, describing problems that require attention as soon as you reach a reasonable stopping point in your journey. Examples include transmission temperature and battery malfunction warnings. Take a detour to your automotive shop to get these issues diagnosed.
A solid check engine light may not tell you much except that some system in your car needs evaluation and repair. However, a rapidly-blinking check engine light signifies immediate, serious trouble that could lead to more damage if you keep driving. Pull over safely and call for roadside assistance instead of driving any farther.
2. Exhaust Smoke and Odors
Smoke may or may not indicate a problem calling for urgent mechanical care. (Water vapor may resemble smoke, but this condensation occurs as a normal byproduct of exhaust system operation.) Black smoke, a sign of excessive gas consumption, often indicates a part failure that will hurt your fuel economy more than anything else.
Watch out for white, blue, or grey smoke. White smoke accompanied by a sweet odor may tell you that coolant has found its way into the engine's combustion chamber. This problem often occurs right before the engine overheats and develops even more serious issues. Stop the car and don't drive it again until it has received repairs.
A gasoline odor may stem from a harmless cause such as a few drops of gasoline on your hand or shoe from your last refueling stop. However, if you smell a strong gasoline odor when you start your car, you may have a leaky fuel line, fuel injector, or fuel tank. These leaks can fill the cabin with toxic gases, so get them fixed immediately.
3. Puddles of Colored Fluid
If you see a puddle of fluid underneath your car, check its color. Clear fluid usually means simple condensation. Coolant may appear yellow or orange, refrigerant looks green, power steering fluid looks pink, wiper fluid is often blue, and transmission fluid may look orange or pinkish-red. Brake fluid and oil may look brown or black.
Any puddle of colored fluid merits attention from an automotive technician. Even a wiper fluid leak can cause trouble if you can't clean your windshield while driving. Low brake or power steering fluid can also threaten your safety, while leaking transmission fluid or engine oil can cause these systems to fail unexpectedly.
Don't let obvious trouble signs go unaddressed. Play it safe by paying a visit to Letcher Bros. Auto Repair, where our technicians know how to diagnose and fix all kinds of automotive issues. We also provide free towing if you can't safely drive your vehicle.
Contact us today.
