Avoid Costly Auto Repair: Spot Common Car Problems

Posted by Charles Taylor on May 19, 2021

If you are like most of us, you use your car for everything. Driving to work, dropping the kids off at school, and running endless errands. If we are lucky, we can even use it for a recreational trip. And like most of us, you probably invested a pretty penny into your car when you bought it. So, what is the best way to keep it in tip-top-shape and avoid a costly auto repair down the road? The answer is simple, and is most likely still in your glove box. The Owner’s Manual that you got when you bought your car is loaded with excellent information about caring for your car. It can help you schedule the necessary routine maintenance that will help keep your car running smoothly. It is also a great resource to help you spot common car problems and offer possible solutions to fix them.

Routine Maintenance

Nothing is as simple and important for your car as keeping up with your routine maintenance. This includes having the oil changed every 30,000 miles or so. During a standard oil change, it is a good idea to also check all other fluid levels, do a visual check on hoses & gaskets and check for any obvious leaks. Checking the wear on your tires is also important. Uneven wear means it is past time to rotate your tires. Having them checked over for damages, slow leaks, proper balance and alignment is vital for driving performance and safety. Check your owner’s manual for details concerning your specific vehicle and driving style.

Common Car Problems

Cars require routine maintenance to keep them running at their peak. Sometimes a minor issue is an early indication that a larger problem is brewing. It is important to be aware of any changes in your car. Schedule service quickly if you see, hear, smell, or feel changes in your vehicle. Quick action can help avoid being on the side of the road with a major breakdown.

Leaking Fluids

Your vehicle has several different fluids that are all vital to the well being of your car. It’s fairly easy to tell them apart by color. If you start noticing puddles under your car, it is a good idea to identify what is leaking and bring your car in for service to diagnose why. Here is a quick breakdown of the possible culprits:

Coolant/Antifreeze – neon yellow-green, orange, pink or blue may indicate a coolant leak. Smells sweet. This fluid is toxic to animals and should be cleaned up immediately.
Brake Fluid – should be a golden yellow color, but can also be dark green, brown and black. Colors other than golden yellow should be inspected and possibly replaced.
Power Steering/Transmission Fluid – red spots may indicate a leak in the steering or transmission systems.
Oil – dark brown or black greasy spots may be a bad seal or gasket in the engine compartment.
Clear Water – may be condensation from the air conditioner, but if the puddles are large or your car is running hot, there may be an issue in the coolant system.

Vibrating or Shaking

Is your car driving more rough than usual? Is it pulling to one side or vibrating when accelerating or braking? There are several reasons that may cause your car to shake. It is important to figure out when it happens and where you feel it most. Is it the steering wheel in your hands that is vibrating or is the whole car shaking when at idle? A trained technician can take the info you supply and track down the issue before it turns into a major repair.

Unusual Noises

The purr of a happy engine is music to my ears. But if you start noticing knocking, pinging, grinding, popping, squealing, ticking, or gurgling sounds while driving, there is most likely an issue that needs attention. Take notes of when the noise occurs – is it constant? Or does it happen only when braking, or only when accelerating? The more information you can gather, the easier it will be for you or a trained technician to troubleshoot and repair quickly.

Unusual Smells

Many of the fluids in your vehicle have ‘chemical’ smells that you may notice while driving or once you park. If you are smelling something unusual, take a look under your hood for noticeable leaks and then get it in for service if you see something amiss. The best way to avoid costly repairs is to fix leaks immediately.

If it is more of a moldy or musty smell, it may be the cabin air filter. This is something relatively inexpensive that you can do yourself or bring it in for service.

The air conditioner may be the cause of a weird smell too. Run it for a minute or two with the windows open when you first turn it on. This will help air-out the stale smell that can overwhelm more sensitive noses.

Overheating

If your car is overheating regularly, you should schedule a service. It could be something simple, like low coolant. It could be something more involved, like needing a coolant flush. Or it could be something more serious, like a compromised coolant system that needs to be properly diagnosed and faulty parts replaced. This is one of those issues that should be addressed immediately, as it can quickly turn into a very expensive, major repair.

Costly Auto Repair

It is an unfortunate reality, that even if we do all the right things, schedule all our regular maintenance services and baby our car, major repairs may still need to be performed. Parts wear out, or fail unexpectedly. When you find yourself in a situation where you need to leave your car at the shop for a major repair, don’t panic. Fisher’s Auto Service provides a quality alternative to quick tune, tire shops and dealership service departments. We also offer a free shuttle service and discounted rental cars.

Choose a Qualified Repair Shop

Since 1979, we provide high-quality auto service and repairs in Kirkland, Redmond, Woodinville, Bellevue, Bothell and Surrounding Areas in King County, WA. We are proud to be both an ATI and ASE Certified Automotive Shop. Our technicians specialize in Imported & American SUV, truck and car models.