Car problems you should never ignore

Nobody likes breaking down whilst on a road-trip. In fact, this is probably the worst thing that can happen to one. Having said this, it takes consistent habits of checking your car on a regular basis to minimise the risk of breakdown. Unfortunately, some people are under the impression that their vehicle won’t break down so they skip a check up here and then. And when a warning light comes on, they ignore it for as long as they can until the problem progressively gets bigger. This isn’t the right mindset to look after a car and if these are some of the things you have been doing, you should definitely try and avoid them in the future and address the problem rather than avoiding it for as long as you can.

Car problems can arise for everybody and whether small or big, they should certainly never be ignored. But of course, some problems may take higher priority due to the nature of the problem. Here are a few car problems that we think, you should never ignore:

1. Fluid Leaks

Fluid leaks are probably the most common issues with cars. A car should never be leaking fluid. If so, it should definitely be checked out as soon as possible. Some of the most common fluid leaks include oil leaks, which can result in major engine damage if not cared for urgently. In addition to this, we have transmission fluid leaks which can result in the need for a massive transmission repair.

2. Brake Noise

Grinding or squealing noise heard when hitting your break is normally a sign of some sort of damage associated with the break. If you ever hear such noise, be sure to visit your local garage right away. Grinding noise normally means your break pads are critically low and should never be ignored. If so, it could lead to a failure in break function which can easily lead to an accident.

3. Check Engine Light

Engine light is another common problem that you should never ignore. If you ever see this light, you should address the problem straightaway and get a diagnostic carried out as soon as possible. Having said this, most check engine light problems are relatively small but if not cared for in time, can turn into a huge issue e.g. failed oxygen sensor which may result in the need to replace the catalytic convertor – this can be a huge cost.

4. Burnt Out Lights

If a light is gone, whether it’s a headlight, tail light, reverse light, turn signal or any other light, you should try replacing it as soon as possible. Driving with a burnt light is not only illegal in the UK but it’s also very dangerous, especially at night and it will certainly put you at a greater risk of accidents.

5. Colored Exhaust Smoke

If the smoke of your engine is colourful, it normally means a problem. Blue smoke means oil is burning, white smoke represents leaking coolant, black smoke means too much gasoline is being used. It’s of course up to you to keep your vehicle safe and reliable, which you can do so by paying close attention to signs of trouble and to your local garage as soon as it is safe to do so.

That’s everything for this blog. I hope you enjoyed it and learned a few things.