Some people treat their car like a child whom they shower with love and affection whenever they can. These car owners wouldn’t let a fly sit atop their car if they could do anything about it. On the other hand, some treat their cars as nothing more than a convenient means to travel from one place to another.
From this alone, you can gather that those who identify with the first type of car owners are not afraid to spend their money if it means keeping their baby in tiptop condition at all times. They would ensure that their car is free of dents, dirt, and damage by performing routine maintenance regularly.
This is not to say that the second type of car owners don’t care about their vehicles, but maybe they don’t show it as much as the first. It could be that they push back making any repairs or replacements until the last possible minute, especially if they are facing more pressing matters at hand.
Others might say that it’s more practical that way because as long as their cars are running, the problems can still be pushed aside without raising any alarms. However, what this can do is increase the pace at which the problems snowball until it gets out of hand.
This could not only put their lives in danger but also endanger the lives of other drivers and pedestrians on the road. Apart from that, the cost of repairs or replacements will be much bigger if the problems take a turn for the worse. That’s why you should never ignore the signs of potential car trouble, such as these three instances below:
1. Cracks in the Windshield
Your car’s windshield single-handedly protects you from the natural elements outside your car. This can include harsh winds, rain, hail, storm, and heat. The windshield also saves you from inhaling pollution and the airborne contaminants that combine with the air as you’re driving down the street.
Now imagine if there are cracks or chips in your windshield: you would still be able to see ahead of you, but the cracks could hinder you from seeing everything clearly. Keep in mind that if the cracks are large enough to be considered dangerous, you can get pulled over and fined by the police because there’s no telling when that minor issue will spiral out of control.
Before you endanger your life by driving with cracks in your windshield, consider having it fixed as soon as you can and no matter how small they may be. You can look into auto shops that offer a mobile service for windshield replacement so that you won’t have to drive down and put yourself at even more risk.
2. Smoke from the Hood or Tailpipe
Anyone who sees smoke coming from your hood or tailpipe can tell you that there’s something wrong with your car. The smoke may be signaling a minor issue, but it can also be a telltale sign of a more serious underlying problem. If you have no experience dealing with such problems, then you should have it checked by someone who does.
You should never ignore a sign of car trouble, especially if it’s smoke billowing from your hood or tailpipe. Most of the time, the white smoke is caused by motor fluids that accidentally spilled over or leaked onto the hot engine. Although the smoke is usually harmless, you should still have it checked for good measure.
However, if you notice that your car is emitting blue, gray, or black smoke combined with an unpleasant odor, this could be a sign that your car is burning raw fuel. This means that there could be an electrical failure, a leaking fuel injector, or even a defective transmission vacuum modulator in your midst.
3. Excessive Shaking and Vibrations
It’s normal to feel your car vibrating when you start the engine, but if it continues vibrating even if you’re not on a dirt road, this could be a sign of potential damage. You might think that it’s okay to ignore when your car is shaking because it doesn’t happen a lot, but doing so can put your life in danger.
These vibrations can be caused by incorrect tire pressure or wheel balance, separated tire tread, uneven tire wear, and loose lug nuts. It’s also possible that your steering wheel is excessively shaking because your suspension parts and joints are worn out. When this happens, you can experience shaking due to the looseness.
Most of these car troubles can be prevented by conducting routine maintenance and inspections. Just like human beings, cars also need to rest and be taken care of to preserve their healthy condition. So don’t skimp out on your car for practicality’s sake, especially if it means keeping yourself safe in the process.