Nobody likes car problems. We’d be much happier if we could drive our vehicles and never have any issues with them. Unfortunately, we’ll all encounter such. But some of them happen less than others. So, if you want to stay informed and understand you car better, so that you’re able to maintain it properly and drive it longer, check out the 7 most frequent car problems.
Low or Dirty Oil
If the oil of your car is low or dirty, engine components are subjected to higher friction and higher temperatures. That means that oil change and top-up is a must for any car owner. Over time oil gets dirty and loses its effectiveness or, if there are any leaks, its quantity may become lower.
It’s recommended that you change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, although if it’s synthetic it can last up to 7,500 or 10,000 miles.
Brake Issues
Brake issues are common, yet really dangerous. If you notice any braking problems or strange noises when braking or simply driving, you’d need to check those as soon as possible by going through a Brake and Light Inspection.
There are several main issues that may arise with the braking components, such as:
- Worn out brake pads which reduces stopping power
- Damaged brake rotors that cause vibrations and less stopping force
- Low brake fluid which then reduces the hydraulic pressure on the brakes
If there are any such issues, you’ll need a Brake and Light Inspection. The technicians can diagnose the problem, check all the components of your brakes system to make sure it’s in proper shape and repair it, if the inspection finds out something wrong.
Light Issues
Other common issues are those with the vehicle’s lights system which will require you to go through a Light Inspection. Those may include:
- A broken headlight
- Misaligned headlights or issues with their brightness, like them being not bright enough or too bright
- Brake lights that don’t go on when you’re stopping
- Broken turn signals that don’t blink when you turn them on
Those are also revealed through a Light Inspection. The technicians can diagnose any issues with the car’s light system and solve them, if they find such. That inspection is a vital part of making sure your vehicle is safe to drive – both for you, and for other drivers on the road.
Overheating Engine
Another common car issue which is usually caused by faulty radiators. This part dissipates the heat from the engine coolant to regulate the temperature. Yet, if it’s damaged, then the engine overheats.
The most common issue with radiators is leakage that leads to loss of coolant, causing the engine to overheat. Or the radiator may be dirty and clogged and the coolant cannot flow freely. Also, corrosion is a big issue if the radiator is exposed to the elements. Another frequently found problem is a broken fan that doesn’t allow the air to blow through the radiator. A professional radiator repair service can help you with inspection and solution to all those problems.
Check Engine Light On
The warning light Check Engine is one of the most scary for all drivers. If it goes on, you should stop the car so as to not damage the engine beyond repair. As much as we don’t like it, this is also one of the most common issues that may arise with your car.
It can be caused by an oxygen sensor failure, faulty spark plugs, problems with the catalytic converter, or many more potential issues. Here is when engine diagnostics and inspection by a professional auto repair service comes to help you.
Transmission issues
The transmission is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the wheels which then allows them to turn and move the vehicle. Most commonly found issues here are low transmission fluid, sometimes caused by leaking, slipping gears or difficulty shifting, or grinding and shaking noises when shifting gears.
One of the simplest kinds of transmission repair is replacing the transmission fluid. Yet, if the issue is more severe, the transmission may need to be disassembled for inspection and repair. The most expensive issue, on the other hand, arises with too extensive damages for which a full transmission replacement may be needed.
AC Car Issues
Now to the last most common issue that affects the comfort when driving. AC malfunction which leads to inefficient internal cooling or heating of the car.
Usually the issue lies with low refrigerant, caused by leaks. Here the AC repair service can simply top up the refrigerant or repair the leak.
A worse-case-scenario is if there are any problems with the compressor. This part circulates the refrigerant and if it fails, the AC will stop working entirely. Here the solution usually includes compressor replacement.
Another potential problem comes with faulty fans. If there is any issue with them, there will be poor air circulation or no airflow to the cabin at all. Also, the air filters may become clogged up and the airflow will be restricted. In that scenario you’d need to replace them. It’s usually best to do so once a year to prevent damage.
Lastly, there might be an electrical reason for your AC problems. This requires diagnostics and inspection by professional auto repair services to check where the problem is and repair it.
Of course, you cannot tell what the issues are by simply seeing an indicator go on or hearing a weird noise. This is why you’d need a professional auto repair service to diagnose the problem and solve it.