According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, regularly serviced vehicles are less likely to break down and experience severe problems.
But when you do find yourself experiencing the issues enumerated below, don’t waste time in bringing your car to a reliable mechanic or shop. Act fast to avoid irreversible and long-term damage.
1. Damaged windshields
No matter how little a chip or crack is, the bottom line is that your windshield is already structurally compromised. A small crack can eventually become larger.
In the event of an accident, a weak and damaged windshield won’t keep you from being thrown forward if the airbags are not enough.
Seek out quality windshield repair services before little damages become more significant problems later on. If you act early enough, you might not need to replace the entire windshield. Doing so can cost you a lot of money.
On the other hand, immediately repairing a chipped or cracked windshield is significantly less expensive.
2. Tire misalignment
Over time, car tires will become improperly aligned due to wear and tear. When tires are not aligned correctly, this can result in several issues.
For instance, your vehicle could burn through its fuel supply inefficiently, as it would need to exert more effort to offset an uneven or bumpy ride.
If you observe your vehicle slightly veering off to either the left or right without your guidance, that’s a strong sign of tire misalignment. Another symptom of the latter is if you notice that your fuel tank empties faster than usual — despite just covering a small distance.
Make it a point to have your car regularly checked or tuned-up. A capable mechanic will be able to spot uneven tires and can use a car wheel balancing machine to address the problem.
3. Slugging starts
When vehicles are brand-new, you often find that they are swift to fire up when you turn the car key. Eventually, there will come a time when starting a vehicle will take a bit longer to start.
When this happens, it could be a sign that you need to replace car batteries or repair the alternator. Usually, it’s a battery problem. Act on this issue as soon as possible. Your battery could potentially die out while you’re in the middle of the road.
If you find yourself somewhere else other than your garage when the car battery runs out of juice, you can have a fresh battery delivered directly to your location. But don’t wait for that scenario to happen.
4. Leaks
Be wary of vehicle leaks. Oil or coolant can leak into the underside of the vehicle, compromising its overall performance. If it’s an oil leak, the vehicle’s engine gasket could be breaking down or the oil filter could be severely damaged.
If you frequently start seeing puddles at the bottom, double-check if the leaks are indeed coming from your car. Once you’ve confirmed that your vehicle is the source, visit the local auto shop as soon as you can to identify the underlying problem.