Signs it’s time to fix your car

Fixing your car can be costly, but it’s even more costly if you leave the problem to get worse. It’s important to drive a well-maintained car because you put not only yourself but others in danger if there’s a problem.  There are some signs you can look out for to know when a problem is starting to form. The most obvious sign is the lights on your dashboard – make sure you brush up on what each light means. However, not all of your problems will be so obvious.

One easily spotted problem is with the windscreen wipers. If they’re leaving behind streaky marks and sound like they’re dragging across the windscreen, it’s time to replace them. If your steering doesn’t feel right, it could be a number of issues. It might just be because your tyres are underinflated, or it could be a problem with the steering wheel.

Burning smell in your car? This could be a problem with the clutch. If it slips out of gear then this is an issue that you’ll want to get fixed straight away. Any weird smells are probably a bad sign, so best to get it checked.

Listen to your car – are your brakes screeching when you slow down? If they are, this could be a problem with the brake pads. Consider how they feel too, because springy brake pads could be a sign of an issue. It’s not easy to know for yourself exactly what’s wrong, so if you hear any rattles or knocks again it’s best to get it checked.

Another sign of an issue is a jerky car. If you feel like you’re chugging along on a train, you might have an issue with the engine. This is natural when you stall the car, but if it’s happening when you accelerate then there’s most likely an issue. This can be down to a blockage in the fuel line, moisture in the distributor cap or a mucky air filter.

Remember, if your car smells, sounds or feels different to usual, this could be an early warning of a problem. If you suspect there’s a problem that you can’t put your finger on, take it to your local garage. Not only can you save money in the long run, but it also ensures the safety of your car. Don’t leave it too late – you’ll spend more money than you need to, and end up with a car that’s out of commission.