Top 11 common car problems and causes you should endeavor to know as a Driver. It will be good you know some likely problems your car could be developing with time. Being posted about it will help you not to have hard feeling or panic when they begin to surface. Rather be aware and look for the solution on how to solve it. Failure to know these problems could result to a major issue in your car. Here are some of those problems.
1. Noisy engine
A normal engine should be quiet. However, if you notice that your engine is producing a splattering, knocking or rattling sound it could be a signal for trouble. Internal combustion engines require the right mixture of air/fuel. If you have more or less of one of the components then you may experience an engine running lean or rich. It also misfires. This is one of the common car problems.
2. Smoke from the exhaust
A functioning car produces some smoke in terms of exhaust gases. This is often colorless unless when you are starting your car during winter. However, excessive smoke is a signal of serious engine trouble. This could be as a result of bad engine, or rings etc. The color and smell of the smoke will offer clues as to what is wrong.
If the smoke is white in color then it may be your coolant that could be leaking while if you have a thick blue colored smoke it could be oil getting into the combustion chambers.
3. Poor fuel efficiency
Poorly serviced engines consume more fuel. Mass airflow sensors, fuel filters, air filters, and O2 sensors all contribute to efficient fuel usage. However, with time these components become clogged with dirt forcing them to produce more fuel. Routine servicing of these components will restore your car engine to good working condition.
4. Worn out brake pads
It is dangerous to drive a car with worn out break pad. The brake pads wear out due to constant friction. When they wear out you will notice a squeaking sound. In addition, you will need to hard press the brakes for them to be effective. This can be disastrous during emergency braking. Have your mechanic inspect your brake pads and fluid during the next service time.
5. Stalling
This can cause new motorists alarm. You are driving smoothly then all of a sudden the car comes to a complete halt in the middle of the road. If this happens on a highway you may find yourself causing serious accidents. The main reason for the car stalling includes faulty filter, fuel line or defective spark plugs.
6. Overheating
Overheating is one of the problems a car could have. It could be a signal for serious engine trouble. The internal combustion system produces a lot of heat. The coolant plays the vital role of cooling the engine block by dissipating excess heat to the radiator. However, coolant leaks could mean that less coolant is reaching the engine block. This can cause overheating which when not contained can lead to further engine problems.
7. Shaky steering wheel
The steering wheel for a well-maintained car should be stable and be easy to turn around. However, if your wheel bearings or suspensions are worn out then the steering wheel will shake even on smooth roads. At higher speeds, this can be dangerous to drive and can cause serious accidents.
8. Oil pressure problems
Oil plays a vital role in lubricating all the moving parts in the car. When your oil is old it will form a sludge that makes it hard to operate efficiently. This will cause unnecessary friction amongst the movable parts leading to overheating and wear. You need to change your oil during your next service change. Also, identify the right type of oil that has offers good viscosity. Nowadays many motorists prefer using synthetic oils.
9. Oil Leak from Valve Cover Gasket
The valves in your engine are covered by valve covers and gaskets. These covers prevent the leakage of oil. If they get damaged, you guessed it, you get an oil leak. You might smell burning oil or see oil on the ground after your car is parked for a while.
10. Transmission Hesitation
You might feel the automatic transmission lag upon acceleration. This could be a computer problem, and updating the vehicle’s software might fix it. On cars with higher mileage, it could be a worn transmission part. Once parts are replaced, it’s important to update the software again. Transmission repairs are typically expensive depending on the severity of the problem.
11. Excessive Oil Consumption
It’s a fact of life: Your car will need fresh oil to stay functioning. However, if you’re finding its needing changes and top-ups more frequently than it should, there might be a problem. Early signs you need to check your oil include a minor dip in performance and the ever-dreaded oil light on your dashboard. When your car is in a particularly dire need of an oil change, you may even start to see corrosion in its engine. Another oil-related complaint is the clogged oil filter. You’ll probably see this problem if you’ve waited too long to change the oil. While modern cars come with systems that are equipped with filter bypasses, it’s a good rule of thumb to change the filter whenever you change the oil.
Read more: 12 Tips that can help you buy a good used car.
