Neglecting Warning Lights: Advice from Your Mechanic
It is a common mistake for drivers to disregard the check engine light, assuming it’s merely related to emissions. While it’s true that early On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) engine computers in the 1980s primarily monitored emissions systems, a significant change occurred in 1996 with the introduction of OBD II.
For vehicles manufactured after that year, a “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light, along with other warning lights, can indicate issues with various components, such as the oil, cooling system, engine, transmission, brakes, electrical accessories, and even the entertainment system.
By ignoring these warning lights or dashboard messages, you run the risk of causing severe damage to your engine or transmission, which can result in costly repairs amounting to thousands of dollars. Therefore, it is crucial to address any warning light or message promptly by taking your vehicle to a qualified mechanic for inspection.
Timely Maintenance and Attending to Unusual Noises: Essential Auto Care Tips
Modern cars and trucks are meticulously engineered, emphasizing the significance of regular maintenance. If you believe that recommended oil changes, fluid replacements, and inspections are merely a ploy to generate revenue for mechanics, think again! These routine maintenance tasks are vital for prolonging the lifespan of your vehicle.
Consider engine coolant as an example. Besides preventing engine overheating, coolant additives also inhibit internal corrosion. However, these additives gradually deplete over time. Conducting a simple coolant test using an inexpensive tester and a digital multimeter can help assess its condition. Neglecting routine coolant changes, on the other hand, exposes you to the risk of early failure of crucial components like the water pump, heater core, and radiator.
If the cost of maintenance seems burdensome, ponder how you would manage the exorbitant repair expenses if issues arise. Consult your vehicle’s owner’s maintenance manual to identify all factory-recommended maintenance services. Yes, you can even perform tasks like brake fluid and transmission fluid changes.
Furthermore, it is important not to ignore unusual noises coming from your vehicle. A well-maintained vehicle should not produce sounds like squealing, screeching, grinding, rumbling, clicking, or clunking. Squealing may indicate a drive belt problem, while a metallic screeching sound might signal a failing pump or engine bearing. Grinding noises while braking could be indicative of a severe brake issue, and clunking sounds may imply suspension problems. Clicking sounds during sharp turns are often associated with failing constant velocity joints, whereas rumbling might result from worn wheel bearings or tire issues.
Should you hear any of these sounds or any other unusual noises, it is crucial to have your vehicle inspected promptly. Remember, components that produce squeals, screeches, grinds, rumbles, clicks, or clunks do not resolve themselves. Neglecting these warning signs can lead to costly damage to other critical components.
One common mistake drivers make is ignoring unusual smells coming from their vehicles. An oily burning smell indicates oil or fluids leaking onto hot engine and exhaust components. By the time you notice the smell, it’s likely that you’re already experiencing low fluid levels, which can lead to significant damage to the engine, transmission, or power steering system. Furthermore, the burning fluid poses the risk of an under-hood fire that can result in the complete destruction of your vehicle.
Conversely, a burning rubber smell may be a warning sign of imminent drive-belt system failure, leading to engine overheating, damage, and potential breakdowns. Additionally, a burning smell emanating from your brakes indicates malfunctioning. None of these smells should be ignored, as doing so will only result in higher repair costs. Trust your sense of smell and address any unusual odors promptly.
When purchasing a used car, many individuals rely solely on its appearance, which is a significant mistake. Even if you take the time to check the dipstick, inspect the engine compartment, and go for a test drive, these superficial checks may not uncover hidden problems that could emerge after the sale, ultimately costing you a considerable amount.
A more prudent approach is to have the vehicle professionally inspected before making the purchase. While a pre-purchase inspection may incur an expense of approximately $200, it can reveal issues that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Here’s how to buy a used car with a pre-purchase inspection:
- Agree with the seller on a price contingent upon a clean bill of health from the chosen shop.
- Schedule an appointment with your mechanic and arrange for the seller to drop off the vehicle at the designated time.
- The shop will scan the vehicle’s computers to identify any recently erased trouble codes, pending trouble codes, or history codes. The presence of recently erased codes is a cause for concern as it suggests an attempt to conceal an underlying problem.
- Next, the vehicle will be test-driven while monitoring computer data from various systems, including fuel, ignition, engine, emissions, and transmission. Similar to a doctor interpreting a CAT scan or EKG, a skilled technician can identify out-of-range sensor values indicative of more serious issues.
- The shop will then conduct physical checks to assess the condition of belts, suspension, tires, and steering components. Finally, they will test the charging, cooling, HVAC, and braking systems.
- You will receive a comprehensive report detailing the inspection results, along with estimated costs for any recommended repairs.
- Armed with the inspection report, you can proceed with the purchase, negotiate the price based on the findings, or opt not to proceed with the transaction.
By prioritizing professional inspections when buying a used car, you can make a more informed decision and potentially avoid costly surprises down the road.
