Top 8 Common Car Problems and How to Fix Them
We have all more likely than not experienced a very frustrating car problem. From different warning lights to flat tyres – we appreciate that there’s a load of issues that can cause headaches at best and nightmares at worse when on the road. We have created this guide to discuss all of the possible issues that you may encounter with your vehicle. There are some issues that can be easily rectified at home but some may require a visit to your local garage.
As we have covered severe issues such as tyres in our previous articles – you will know that these issues will need to be urgently looked at by a professional. This means that you will need to visit a qualified car garage to help you with your issues. If you are facing any issue in our local areas then we highly recommend that you arrange to visit our garage. For tyre issues, for example, we offer a wide range of Tyres in Newport to ensure that you are covered in case of a severe issue with your tyres.
So read on to find out more about the top 8 car problems that you may experience as a motorist and how to fix them! If you have an issue that is causing you stress or that you cannot fix yourself then get in touch with our team today and we will be able to help you. Either use an online contact form on our website or telephone our team of experts now.
1. Confusing Warning Lights
There are common warning lights that you can easily identify and ones that are… not so easy to work out. Luckily – your vehicle owners manual will come equipped with a section that will inform you about all of the warning lights that may appear. Some are worse than others – with some warning lights advising to stop driving whereas others may tell you to immediately seek a garage. It’s therefore important to learn the serious warning lights from the less serious ones. Some vehicles may experience sensor problems which can cause lights to turn on where there is no actual issue with the vehicle. This is why it’s important to probably arrange for a vehicle check if a warning light appears.
2. Car Battery is Dead – Car Not Starting
We wrote an article which covered issues with car batteries as you have likely not been using your vehicle recently. Car batteries should last around 3 years and newer batteries should be conditioned to last even further. Batteries naturally will lose their charge with use over time but other issues can cause batteries to die such as inactivity. If you want to avoid dead batteries due to wear and tear, you may want to consider a replacement every 50,000 miles or every 3 years. This can help to protect you from the natural damage that is caused to batteries and can save you a nasty surprise when getting into your car.
3. Steering Wheel or Steering Pulling / Drifting to the Left or Right
There are a variety of factors that can cause your vehicle to pull to one side. Wheel alignment should be the first thing that you check but if your wheel alignment is correct then you may be suffering from an issue such as incorrect tyre pressure, worn out suspension/steering or uneven wear on the breaks. When driving your vehicle, if you suspect that your car is drifting you can briefly take your hands off of the steering wheel and you will see if the car is drifting to the left or right. If you suspect that your vehicle is drifting to the left or right then it’s highly recommended to take your car to the garage for an inspection. This is very important as if it is a wheel alignment issue then this can be repaired at the garage. If it is actually another issue then this can also be diagnosed.
4. Squeaking or Grinding of Your Brakes
This issue can actually be quite hard to hear when you are driving around with your windows closed as the sound of the engine can drown out sounds from outside. Brakes are one of the most vital part of your vehicle as well as your tyres so it’s important to keep an ear out for squeaking or grinding of your brakes. You may want to stop and ensure that there isn’t a more serious issue as your brakes keep you and your family safe on the road. If you have serious concerns with your brakes – always get to a garage if you have major concerns. If you suspect a severe issue, call ahead and see if your vehicle can be picked up.
5. Worn Brake Pads
While we are the subject of brakes, worn brake pads are another issue that can cause major safety issues. It’s really important to keep on top of the maintenance of brake pads. There can sometimes be faults in the manufacturing process that may cause brake pads to wear unevenly so it’s important to have brakes checked regularly or carry out checks yourself.
6. Uneven Tyre Pressure or Tyre Pressure Keeps Decreasing
A lack of tyre pressure can cause some of the other issues that we have mentioned earlier and can also cause a range of other issues. The biggest risk is that a tyre may burst when on the road at speed, which could cause a loss of control of the car. If you have uneven tyre pressure – it’s firstly important to regularly check your tyres and ensure that your tyres are to the recommended manufacturer pressure limit. If your pressure keeps decreasing at fast rates, this may mean that you have a puncture. In some cases – a bulge in a tyre may cause a decrease in pressure or a visible irregularity of the tyre. If the pressure keeps decreasing, get to the garage for a tyre check.
7. Windscreen Has Become Chipped or Cracked
If you detect a small chip in your windscreen then this can develop into a more serious issue. As your windscreen is subject to various different weather conditions – where it can turn hot to cold in some cases. This can cause the chip to become bigger or develop into a crack. Dust and debris can also form in the chip which can penetrate the inner levels of the glass which in turn may cause a crack. It’s generally recommended to seek a windscreen repair specialist if you detect a crack as you can fix it before it becomes a more serious issue.
8. Combating Rust
Rust isn’t a huge issue on the bodywork of a car as this is purely cosmetic but rust underneath the vehicle can cause larger issues. Rust tends to form in humidity and areas such as seaside towns tend to cause an increased risk of rust forming. You may want to carry out your own checks to your vehicle if you are at an area that may cause rust because of humidity. Luckily – regular washing of your car is a great way to keep rust at bay and should keep your vehicle in top physical condition.
Any issues that you know the solution to that didn’t make our list? Why not let us know in the comments below. If you do require further tips or require help for your vehicle – get in touch today using an online contact form on our website or telephone now.