Often Overlooked Signs of Car Trouble That Should Warrant a Visit to a Mechanic
Not every single problem you have with your car means that you need to rush out to a mechanic, but you never want to overlook needed vehicle repairs either. Unfortunately many car owners ignore all but the most serious signs of trouble, and may assume that if they can still drive and control the vehicle, then it doesn't actually need service. Note a few often overlooked signs of car trouble that should warrant a visit to your local mechanic.
1. Noise from the exhaust
Your car's exhaust system shouldn't make noise, and if a pipe has rusted through or the muffler has come loose, two common problems that create noise from the exhaust, you should have these addressed by a mechanic. They may not interfere with your ability to drive your car, but exhaust fumes coming out of a leaky pipe can actually make their way into the passenger cab, and this can be very unhealthy.
A loose muffler or other part can also fall off while you're on the road and cause damage to the underbody of your car, or to other cars if they drive over it. Other drivers can even cause an accident if they try to drive around your fallen muffler, so take your car to a mechanic as soon as you hear noticeable noise from the exhaust.
2. Warning lights
It's never good to ignore the warning lights on your dashboard, even if your car seems to be driving fine. If the oil light comes on, chances are you've lost a tremendous amount of oil pressure and driving your car even a short distance can be damaging. If the temperature warning light comes on, your engine is probably overheating and this too can cause damage if you continue to drive.
Many drivers ignore the "check engine" light, but this often signals a problem with your emission system and in turn, you can be losing fuel economy. Your engine may be working harder than it should when this happens, putting more wear and tear on the car.
3. Severe pulling
Very often severe pulling to one side means that a car needs an alignment, and drivers often overlook this as they assume it has nothing to do with the car's drivability. However, this pulling can also mean that there is a problem with certain steering components, or the brakes may be sticking in one wheel. These can cause severe damage and lead to costly repairs down the road, so visit mechanics like Surefix Mechanical as soon as you notice any severe pulling with your car.