There’s nothing more terrifying than having your car break down on a main road or seeing a warning light flash up on your dashboard indicating a major problem with your engine.
Servicing should be part and parcel of car ownership because, unfortunately, no car is going to remain roadworthy for long. Most cars will need regular maintenance and upkeep, as well as the servicing and MOT that help keep the car on the road for longer.
With that being said, here are five warning signs that you need to take your car in for servicing.
Unusual noises
As a car owner, you become very attuned with your car’s behaviour from the sights, sounds and smells. Everything that you see typically is your norm, but when something doesn’t sound, look or smell right, that’s when you’ll want to get your car in for a service.
Unusual noises are something to be mindful of, especially when they’re louder than your car’s engine or are a part of your car’s engine’s typical sound.
These unusual noises aren’t something you should just ignore and hope they go away; in fact, they will likely be hard to ignore. If you hear them, then it’s better to get it seen too as quickly as possible.
Dashboard warning lights
Dashboard lights are certainly something to be mindful of, and it’s not something you can really avoid when the dashboard itself is right in front of you.
With that being said, be attentive to what your dashboard usually looks like and what lights are always on or off.
Whenever something flashes up, consult the car’s manual guidebook if you’re confused as to what the icon means. With a lot of cars nowadays, you’ll also get a message on the display of your dashboard which may give you a better idea of what the problem is.
Overdue servicing
Overdue servicing can be a cause of something wrong with your car, and it can also be a reminder to get your car serviced as soon as possible.
With overdue servicing, it can often prevent problems from being spotted earlier, and if you’re not spotting them in time, then that can lead to a potential break or car issue that ends up costing a lot more money as a result.
Regular servicing is key, and as such, getting reminders put into your calendar is a useful habit to have in place.
Fluid leaks
Fluid leaks can be a real problem and are a sign that your car needs to be seen by the professionals. You may notice these fluid leaks visually, you may smell them or notice them when you go to top up your tanks, depending on which fluid is leaking.
The dashboard might also indicate a problem with fluid, so it’s always good to be mindful of any visual, audible or scent warning signs you may get.
Braking problems
It’s no denying that brakes are perhaps the most important feature of your car, which is why you want to look after them at all times. If your brakes are making any unusual noises or vibrations, get it seen to immediately.
These warning signs are good to be mindful of when it comes to taking care of your car.
