2 Signs That Your Car Needs Maintenance
Having car problems is not only annoying; it can be dangerous for everyone in the car. If you don't properly care for your vehicle, you could be endangering everyone on the road. Luckily, there are signs that your car is going out so that you can fix it before the problem becomes too severe. Here are a couple things to look for.
1. Trouble Shifting Gears
The transmission is primarily responsible for the gears of the car. This means that if you are having a problem with shifting gears, you should have it looked at. Some of the things to watch for are if the car grinds when you try to shift gears. If you can hear an audible sound, or if you can feel a grinding when you shift back and forth, this means that your transmission is failing.
In some cases the transmission won't grind, it will just be delayed as you try to shift from one gear to another. You may put the car in reverse, but it doesn't go quickly, or you have to try shifting again to actually get it to take. This is a problem. In addition, you should look for fluid leaking from the car. This is another sign that there is a problem. If the transmission drops while you are driving, it can be incredibly dangerous. Learn the signs early so that you can get the repairs done, before a dangerous situation occurs.
2. Overheating
Overheating may seem like a problem of it's own, but really it is a sign of something more serious going on. If your car is continually having problems regulating a safe temperature, there could be a couple possible reasons. It could be something simple like the cap on the coolant system is letting air escape and is not fully trapping the coolant. A new cap can fix that problem. It could also be that there is a problem with the engine. This would be a more serious repair. Other possible reasons could be low oil, a worn out belt, a plugged radiator, or even a collapsed radiator hose. The overheating is a sign that shouldn't be ignored. A mechanic can do a simple diagnostic test to see what the problem is. This will protect you so that the car doesn't have a serious problem while driving.
These are just a couple things to look for to ensure that your car is safe to drive. If you notice any of the signals, contact a professional auto repair service, like Monroe Transmissions, and schedule an appointment to get your car looked at.