Have you ever heard your car make a strange noise while you’re behind the wheel? Has a light on your dashboard ever blinked on and off? If you don’t know much about cars, it can be hard to tell when the problem you’re experiencing is serious enough to bring your vehicle into a Denver auto repair shop. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s best to bring it in for an inspection. But in general, here are some of the signs your vehicle is in need of service:
Smoke
Smoke billowing out from under your car’s hood is never a good sign—in fact, it means your car could be overheating and continuing to drive it will cause serious damage. Pull over right away and take a closer look at the temperature gauge in your dashboard. It’s best to seek roadside assistance if there is smoke coming from your hood so you don’t have to risk driving the vehicle any further.
Squeaky Brakes
Do you hear grinding or a squeaky noise when you press on the brakes? This means your car is in need of an inspection. There are a number of reasons why your brakes could be making noise, but it’s likely that it’s a sign your brake pads are wearing down and need to be replaced soon. It’s not safe to drive your car without your brakes in optimal condition, so schedule a repair appointment as soon as possible. Learn how to fix squeaky brakes here.
Check Engine Light
There are countless lights that may start to blink on your dashboard, and you may not be familiar with what each one of them means. But, one light that you should know is the check engine light. If you see an outline of an engine accompanied by the word “check,” this is your check engine light. If it turns on and stays on, it’s recommended you schedule an appointment with an auto repair specialist as soon as possible. But, if the check engine light turns on and begins to blink on and off, you have a more serious problem that needs your immediate attention. Don’t ignore this light—continuing to drive your car when the check engine light is blinking could cause a great deal of damage.
Leaks
If you notice your car dripping liquid whenever it’s parked, you might have a problem that needs to be fixed. But, pay attention to what type of liquid is dripping from your vehicle. If it’s water, this is from your air conditioner and does indicate a problem. But, if your vehicle is dripping green fluid, this could be coolant, and if it’s dripping dark brown or red fluid, this is either your brake fluid or engine oil. These issues will need to be addressed by a professional right away.
If it’s time for you to bring your car in for maintenance, contact the experts at Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center today. You can request an auto repair appointment with Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center online, or you can also text us.