The Five Telltale Signs That Your Car Needs a Mechanic

How do you know if your car needs a mechanic visit? Aside from regularly scheduled tune-ups and top-offs, your car will periodically need to be checked out by a Greeley auto repair professional to fix certain issues and prevent irreparable damage. In most vehicles, a small problem can soon turn into a catastrophic one quickly, so visiting a mechanic as soon as possible is important.

Here are five symptoms you should pay attention to and seek the help of an auto repair professional if you see them in your car:

Smoke Coming From Under the Hood

You probably already know that smoke coming from under your hood is never a good sign. Sometimes, smoke coming from your exhaust pipes can also show potential damage to the engine or other problems.

If you notice that blue smoke is coming from your exhaust pipe or your hood, stop your car as soon as possible and get a tow to the garage. Blue smoke means engine oil is leaking. Low oil levels can lead to serious engine problems and could mean thousands of dollars in repairs.

If you notice white smoke coming from your hood or an excessive amount coming from your tailpipe, it’s probably steam. Your engine is overheated. While this isn’t as serious of a problem as leaking oil, you’ll need to wait for your engine to cool down before you can add coolant. Still, you should seek professional help to find out why your engine overheated in the first place.

Check out these tips on finding a trusted, professional mechanic.

Certain Bad Smells

No one’s car will smell like fresh alpine valleys or roses, but certain smells can mean engine trouble. If the inside of your vehicle ever smells like you’re standing right behind your car’s tailpipe you’re probably breathing carbon monoxide, a highly toxic and potentially deadly gas. Roll your windows down on your way to the mechanic.

If you smell burning rubber, it means you burnt out your tires (you’d know it if you did this) or your drive belts or accessory belts are worn out or damaged. It could also mean that a rubber hose is dislodged and melting.

Unsettling Noises

If you hear a tapping or popping sound, it could be a problem with your engine’s cylinders. If you hear a grinding noise when you start your car, it could be your starter motor. Grinding when you shift gears is a sign that you could need a transmission replacement.

Warning Lights

You can take warning lights on your dashboard with a grain of salt sometimes, but there are a few lights that you should take heed of immediately: Check Oil/Oil Level Low, Oil Pressure Low, and Check Engine. Oil levels and pressures are very important because your oil prevents your engine’s various moving parts from rubbing against each other, causing serious damage. If you’re unsure of how to ameliorate your oil warning light, take your car to a mechanic.

That pesky Check Engine light can mean any number of things, from not screwing your gas cap on properly the last time you re-fueled to your pistons are about to fly through your hood. After you’ve checked routine things like gas caps and oil levels, take your car in if the Check Engine light doesn’t turn off.

Jerky Driving

If your car seems to lurch and stop when you’re not applying the brake, it’s a good sign of engine trouble. Not having full control of the accelerator can cause serious driving problems, so it’s a good idea to have it checked out as soon as possible.

Watch for these telltale signs of engine trouble, and if you see these signs, don’t hesitate to contact a mechanic immediately. When your car needs a mechanic, waiting too long could further the damage.

Looking for a mechanic in Greeley? Call us today.