The thought of your car breaking down may send you into a cold sweat, and it does for most drivers, especially if the car breaks down in a place where you could potentially be stranded. The problem is that you don’t often know that there is something wrong with your car in the first place until you get it checked out by a professional.After all, you’re not generally going to know what a code p0171 will mean. You’re not always going to know what a shaking steering wheel means, either!
To avoid calling a tow truck, it’s smart to get to know the signs that your car is in danger so that you can get it fixed before something goes completely wrong. Below, we’ve put together a list of signs that your car is sick and is in need of help.
- You can smell gas. The only time you should ever smell gas near your car is when you’re filling it up. A gas smell isn’t usually A cause for massive concern, especially if it’s because you’ve just been to the gas station. But if you’re dealing with a loose or a broken gas cap, you’re going to be able to smell the gas as you go. In a way, this is good news because caps are very cheap to replace, but if you have noticed the gas smell persisting for several days, there could be a more serious issue. A fuel injector line or filter leak, a leaking fuel tank, or even a defective component of the EVAP system can also cause a gas smell.
- Your steering wheel is shaking. After your car gets the mileage on it, you might find a slight difference to how it drives compared to when you very first drove it off the lot. A little shake in your car? Absolutely fine. A rough idle here and there? Absolutely fine. But if you’re noticing that the steering wheel is shaky and the whole car starts to shake, you could be looking at wheels being out of rotation, worn shocks or struts, or even worn spark plugs. If the check engine light has also flicked on, that’s the most likely cause.
- It’s yelling at you when you turn. Traditional wear and tear can make your car’s steering and suspension systems quite shaky. Your car will complain loudly when the wear and tear has gone too far though, so you have to pay attention to signs like clicking when turning or clunking when driving. If you’re hearing squealing noises or you’re having difficulty turning the steering wheel entirely, then you need to check your power steering fluid and you need to go to see a mechanic.
- The car no longer starts. It’s a sure sign that your car is sick in that it won’t start. The engine will crank when you turn the key, or it’s silent, or it makes a clicking noise, but it’s not going anywhere. You have to make a point of going to see somebody so that they can help you with this one. If your gas tank is empty or your fuel pump is failing, those are two main reasons that your car won’t start. But you do need to go and see a specialist.
