We rely on
our vehicles for a number of reasons; to get to work, take the kids to school,
or to make it easier to get out and about exploring at the weekend. Car trouble
can be highly inconvenient (not to mention dangerous) and it can be difficult
to know how to identify the problem if you don’t have much experience.
Your vehicle
doesn’t have to be old to experience issues, whether it’s a flat tyre on the
road, a broken light or a flat battery, but whatever the issue is - it’s
important to get it seen to as soon as possible. It can help to be prepared and
have an idea of the warning signs to look out for, as well as what can be done
to fix the problem. With this in mind, see our guide to some of the most common
car problems and find out more about how the professionals can help.
Your car won’t start
A car can
fail to start for several reasons, including a dying or dead battery, loose or
worn connection cables, an issue with the starter, or a problem with the
alternator. If your car starts but then stalls soon afterwards, accompanied by
dimming lights and problems with the stereo, then a faulty alternator is likely
to be the culprit.
If the
vehicle is harder to start on cold mornings and there’s no noise or lights,
then the battery or connection cables are probably on their last legs. In an
emergency, you can jumpstart your car, but this isn’t a long term solution.
Take your car into a garage as soon as possible for a diagnostics test so that
a mechanic can identify the exact reason why your vehicle won’t start. In most cases,
they’ll be able to replace the battery or the faulty part in question without
the need to purchase a whole new vehicle.
Rattles or unusual noises
Unusual
noises shouldn’t be ignored and they can occur when your car is idling,
accelerating, turning or breaking. Pay attention to when the noises occur, as
this can narrow down the possible causes.
Idling
If you hear
a clicking noise when the car is idling, this indicates that the oil pressure
is low and will need to be looked at by a professional. A hissing noise,
however, is much more serious and suggests that the engine might be
overheating. It could also indicate a vacuum leak, but it’s best to take your
car to a garage asap to be on the safe side.
Accelerating
A grinding
noise when shifting gears suggests a problem with the clutch, while a
‘chirping’ noise often means that a wheel bearing or axle is loose. Again, this
is a serious issue so you shouldn’t drive your vehicle until it’s been taken to
a garage.
Turning
If your car
has power steering, then a grinding noise when turning suggests it’s low on
power steering fluid (caused by trapped air bubbles). Clicking or grinding
could also indicate a worn or damaged CV axle; this would need to be replaced
immediately so call your garage as soon as possible.
Breaking
Squeaking
breaks indicate worn-out brake pads; most have built-in indicators which alert
drivers to when they need to be replaced so keep an eye out. A grinding noise
suggests the brake pads are severely worn down and need to be replaced immediately,
whereas a clicking noise could mean something is trapped under your brake or a
component has worn down.
Car noises
can be alarming, especially if they occur while you’re out on the road, but in
most cases, they can be fixed relatively easily. If you’ve noticed a noise not
listed above, the RAC has a full guide to unusual noises on their website here.
Excess exhaust smoke
Excess
exhaust smoke is unpleasant for passers-by and it’s not great for the
environment, or the health of your car. If possible, take a look at the colour
of the exhaust as this indicates different issues. White smoke can be caused by
steam in the condensation pipe or an engine coolant leak, which is much more
serious.
Blue smoke
usually means that oil has leaked into the exhaust system, or you could have a
worn valve or piston ring. Thick, black smoke from a petrol car is usually
caused by too much fuel being burned or an air filter problem. In a diesel car,
it suggests a dirty particulate filter or a build-up of soot. Again, a
diagnostics test will be able to determine the source of the problem and
whether you need exhaust repair or maintenance in a different area.
A flat tyre
If your car
starts pulling to one side while driving and it’s more difficult to steer,
chances are that you have a puncture. Most drivers experience small punctures
that cause a tyre to steadily lose air over several miles and luckily, a sudden
fully blown tyre is relatively rare.
Pull over at
the nearest safe point as soon as you notice signs of a flat tyre; on the
motorway, you should stop at the nearest hard shoulder, don’t wait until you
reach a petrol station or services. The Highway Code advises drivers to only
change a flat tyre
if they can do so
without putting themselves or others at risk, so in the majority of cases, it’s
best to call a breakdown service.
You can
reduce the risk of getting a flat tyre by inspecting your tyres regularly
(around once a month). Examine the tyre tread to make sure it isn’t too worn
and look for any debris or foreign objects that might be stuck (such as nails).
If you suspect that your tyres might need replacing, it’s worth taking your car
into a garage for a second opinion. They’ll be able to check the tyre pressure
and assess the general condition to see whether you need a replacement or not.
The check engine light is on
The check
engine light is there to alert you to the fact that something is wrong, but
don’t panic, it doesn’t always mean that there’s a serious issue. That being
said, you shouldn’t ignore the warning sign either, so take your vehicle in for
a diagnostics test as soon as you can.
There are
several common problems which can cause your check engine light to turn on,
including a loose fuel cap, issues with your spark plug, a vacuum leak, a dead
battery or mass airflow sensor failure. Some of these issues are very minor and
some may require more serious attention or a replacement part, but your local
garage will be able to help you identify the issue.
Garage Services in Aylesbury - From Acorn Tyres
and Servicing
If you’ve
been having issues with your vehicle, get in touch with the experts at Acorn
Tyres and Servicing. Our mechanics have extensive experience working on a wide
range of issues, both big and small, and we’re proud to offer comprehensive
repair and maintenance services for your vehicle. Our local car service garage
in Aylesbury offers MOT testing, exhaust fitting, tyre fitting and sales, brake
repair, vehicle servicing
and more.
If you’re worried about exhaust replacement
cost, or the price of any of our other services, not to worry. Get in touch
with us for a free quote so you know exactly what to expect before you bring
your vehicle in. For more information about any of our services or to book an
appointment, give us a call today on 01296 612075 or
visit our website.
