Most people are able to identify glaringly obvious signs of a bad car part. From shaky rides to black exhaust smoke, different parts present their issues in various ways. A good car owner’s responsibility is to take care of those problems before they grow into a more expensive repair. To help you with some of those symptoms, these are some warning signs that indicate damage to your car.
Increased Fuel Usage
As most people get familiar with the amount of gas their car needs to get to a certain destination like work, it’s not good when your car uses more than usual. Increased fuel usage normally affects the engine, but the engine itself is not always the cause. A bad oil filter causes your oil to be sludgy, while a bad air filter suffocates the engine and hinders its ability to make full use of the oil.
Rough Rides
The smoother the journey, the better your rides become. Different things factor into your ride’s smoothness but come from different parts despite showing similar signs. For example, the shock absorbers likely need a check when you feel like you are experiencing more bumps on the road. Alternatively, it’s good to know the different types of driveshaft vibrations to indicate what is wrong with it.
Fluid Leakage
Sometimes, you can find certain liquids leaking from your car. However, it is difficult to tell the seriousness of the situation from that alone. The fluid is the most important factor in dealing with the issue. Water is typically a result of excess condensation from your air conditioning system. However, if oil is leaking out of your car, it’s a good idea to check for any holes or breakage around the seals by the gasket or oil pan.
Taking care of your car means knowing what to do when certain issues are discovered. By considering a few warning signs that indicate damage in your car, you can better keep it well-maintained. The longer your car lasts, the more value you get from your original purchase, and the more familiar you get with it to deal with similar incidents in the future.