How to Know When You Should Service Your Car?

Your car should be serviced on a regular basis; this will vary from car to car, but a recommended time or mileage can be found in your manufacturer’s book.

However, we’re all guilty of ignoring certain warning lights on our dashboard. This blog is about the ones you need to pay attention to if you want to keep a safe car on the road.

Below are the five top warnings you should look out;

Engine Light

If your ‘check engine’ light appears on your dashboard, then you need to get your car looked as ASAP! There are a number of things that this light could mean. Some example of what causes your ‘check engine’ light to suddenly illuminate are the; catalytic converter, spark plugs, oxygen sensor or the airflow sensor.

Unusual Noises

If you start to hear odd noises coming from your car then it’s important to get them checked before they develop into a bigger problem (and therefore a bigger bill!)

Below are some examples of noises you should keep an ear out for and what they mean;

• Wailing from the bonnet: This is caused by a loose or worn belt which will cause further problems like overheating and damaging your battery.

• Louder exhaust noises: If your exhaust is being louder than usual then this could mean that there is a crack or hole in your exhaust pipe. This is something that can be easily fixed, but, if left there is a chance your pipe will just fall off and create more problems.

• Irregular Engine Noises: You’ll notice these noises when you’re stationary but your engine is still running. It could be something simple like your spark plugs or something more critical with your engine and how it is handling the air and fuel.

• Screeching Brakes: This is a clear visual that your brakes need to be checked. You may need a new brake pad or perhaps something small like a bit of gravel has worked its way into your braking system. Either way, it’s worth taking your car in for a quick check.

• Squealing Noises When You Move: If you are moving your car and you notice strange noises then this could mean that your power steering fluid needs to be replaced or even that you could need to tyres. Check out our blog post “How Much Does it Cost for New Tyres?” and then “How to Know What Tyre Rating is Required for Your Car” for more information on your tyres.

• Crunching Gears: It’s no surprise that your gearbox might need to be replaced as it’s subject to a lot of wear and tear. This causes it to be weaker and fluids or parts will need to be replaced occasionally. If you are driving and you hear a crunching noise as you change gear, then you will need to get your car checked.

Steamy Bonnet

Smoke coming from your bonnet is usually a result of overheating. If you notice this, then you should check your temperature gauge.If it’s reading as the maximum, then you will need to pull over and allow your car to cool off before you start driving again.

If the steam is white, then you should get your car checked ASAP, however, you aren’t in immediate danger. If the steam is blue then you need to stop somewhere safe and get your car towed to the garage. Blue smoke is a result of burning oil and can be a hefty bill if left unfixed.

Abnormal Braking Experience

It’s really important that you pay attention to the performance of your brakes because they are responsible for keeping you and others safe. It’s not unexpected that this will happen to your brakes as they are used constantly and prone to wear and tear.

When you press down on your brakes you should feel a clean response that is smooth and easy. If you experience anything different such as vibrating or pulling under the brake, or even something that is more sensitive or resistance, then it’s time for your car to get serviced.

Ignition Problems

If you are trying to start your car and you notice it keeps ‘coughing’ and fluttering and it takes you serval times to turn that key to start your car, then it’s time for you to book a car check-up. But, before you rush into the garage complaining your car won’t start, double-check you have fuel in your tank as this could be a simple reason why your car refuses to start.

Ignition problems can be from a wide range of things such as a dying battery, faulty motor, clogged fuel filter.

If you think that you might need to get your car serviced, then why not get quotes from MyCarNeedsA.com, we want you to get the best value for money. We send you quotes from trusted service providers in your local area to find the best suitable deal for you! All you need to do is fill in a few detailed and pick the quote that suits you best.

GET QUOTES