8 Signs That Your Vehicle Is Going Bad

What is your vehicle trying to tell you?

Newer cars today feature high-tech diagnostic systems that monitor the health of the vehicle. However, many drivers still ignore these warnings because they don't have the time or to avoid expenses. While it's okay to prolong a few trips to the garage, some car troubles should never be overlooked. Here are eight signs that your car is in trouble and should never ignore, no matter how busy you are.

1. Your A/C is blowing hot air.
   

You know you're overdue for service by the time your air conditioning is blowing warmer air. When the airflow is strong, but the air is not cold, a leak usually causes this. It could also be caused by clogs or condenser, compressor or blower not working correctly.

Don't worry; this problem is easy to fix and not very expensive. The best way to keep your A/C healthy is to have it checked when you get an oil change or get car maintenance at Quality Tune-Up shop. If your A/C problem remained unrepaired for a long time, further damage could lead to costly repairs.

2. You have difficulty starting the engine.
   

Stalling or having difficulty starting your engine could be a symptom of many potential root causes ranging from lousy spark plugs to a clogged oil filter. Luckily, these problems can be prevented or treated with regular maintenance. Having a regularly scheduled tune-up can drastically improve the efficiency of your vehicle's engine. A tune-up will help you detect these problems early, so you never have to face the dread of an engine that won't start.

3. You hear loud slapping, squealing or knocking noises coming from the engine bay
   

The number one mechanical reason for roadside assistance is a broken serpentine belt. If you hear a high-pitched sound from the engine bay or even a barely audible squeaky sound that may also disappear once you start your engine, this means trouble. The squeaking sound is caused by the belt slipping over the pulleys. The only way to make these noises go away is to contact a professional mechanic and have them replace the serpentine/drive belt or diagnose the issue. Keeping your serpentine belt in good condition helps all of the components it drives work better and makes sure your belt does not break while driving.

4. You smell oil inside the vehicle
   

When you smell oil in the car, this often signifies an oil leak. Your vehicle is overheating the moment you smell gas or exhaust fumes. When you experience these problems, you must go for scheduled maintenance immediately. Regularly changing your oil is inexpensive and quite simple. Maintaining the right level and the quality of oil will prevent excessive wear and tear on your engine, ultimately resulting in fewer repairs down the road.

5. You're hearing squealing, squeaking or grinding noises while driving
   

Sometimes you hear vehicle noises that are harmless and do not require repairs. Other times you'll hear grinding sounds that put you in a dangerous situation. Over time, brake pads are worn out and need to be replaced before you get rotor damage. Without properly working brakes, typical driving situations would take a turn for the worst. Delaying brake maintenance service could put you and your passengers at unnecessary risk..

6. Your steering feels slow to respond or feels stiff
   

If your vehicle's wheels feel slow or stiff to turn, it usually indicates that your power steering is failing. Some potential problems include low levels of power steering fluid, a leak in the power steering rack, or a damaged power steering belt. Like most of the fluids in your car power steering fluid breaks down from constant use. Once it begins to break down, it leaves deposits in the components of your system. These deposits cause excessive wear and can result in expensive repairs when a significant part fails.

7. You get a whiff of burning transmission fluid
   

Our noses know when it comes to things being not quite right with our vehicles. If you get a whiff of burning transmission fluid, this usually indicates that your transmission is overheating. Your transmission fluid wears out over time. Since it lubricates one of your car's most essential parts, changing it regularly will help your transmission last longer with fewer repairs.

8. Your engine won't turn over or start
   

If you have a broken timing belt, your vehicle will not be able to turn over or start. You might hear the starter motor engage when you turn the key, but since the timing belt operates the crank and camshaft, it will not turn over. When this happens, you need to immediately call a mechanic to inspect the damage and know when your timing belt should be replaced.