4 Warning Signs Your Car Badly Needs an Auto Repair Mechanic

To best enjoy safe travels, you need your car to provide a consistent driving experience mile after mile. You shouldn’t have to guess if your car will start up the first time around. Or if you’ll have to battle for control of the wheel as you go over a bumpy section of the roadway.

If you’re feeling stressed about how your car behaves or feels, it’s likely time to visit your auto repair mechanic. However, some problems are worse than others. 

To help you decide when it’s time for a quick auto repair visit, check out these four warning signs that your car badly needs an auto repair mechanic.

1. Fluid Leaks

Whether you see fluid pooling underneath your car or simply leaking at a slow drip, it’s never a good sign. Your car’s vital systems need their fluids to stay at the ideal levels for proper cooling, cleaning, and lubrication.

If enough fluid leaks out, your car’s parts could end up seriously damaged—and the issue could even put you in harm’s way, like if your car loses all its brake fluid. That’s why you should always report this problem to your trusted auto shop upon noticing any leaking fluids. Your car care team will advise you on how to safely get your vehicle to the shop for service.

2. Steering Difficulties

You should never have to fight the steering wheel for control of your car. Unfortunately, worn or damaged steering and suspension components can leave you struggling to keep your vehicle driving straight down the road.

Steering difficulties often start with strange squealing or whining noises. As the problem worsens, you may notice that your car pulls hard to the left or right while going over bumps. Eventually, the pulling will happen all the time and may also come with shaking or vibrations through the steering wheel.

3. Poor Stopping Power

When you hit the brakes, your car should slow down and come to a stop as expected. If your vehicle takes longer than usual to come to a stop, you may have a big problem developing.

Other signs of brake issues include:

• Squishy or hard brake pedal feel
• Squealing and grinding noises
• Vibrations while hitting the brakes
• Metallic burning odors while stopping
• Brake pedal goes all the way to the floor

Depending on the symptoms, your car may need new brake pads and rotors or could have a failing master cylinder.

4. Vehicle Fails to Start

When your car fails to start on demand, you’re certainly not going far. The inability to fire up your vehicle and head out on your way could seriously derail your day as a result. If your car stalls while on the road and then won’t start up again, you might end up in serious danger.

Many problems cause no-start conditions, such as a dead battery, faulty starter, and ignition switch failure. Your mechanic will need to complete vehicle diagnostic tests to find the cause and recommend the right level of repairs.