Reasons To Take Your Car To A Repair Shop

Taking your car to an auto repair shop may not be high on the list of things you want to do, but there are some times that it is better to take the car in for service than to risk something going wrong with it. You may notice some common things that could be important clues that your vehicle needs some work and should prompt you to take the car to an auto repair shop.

Fluid Leaks

If you see something leaking from your car, it is essential to determine what it is and where it is coming from. Fluid should never be leaking from any part of your vehicle, and if something is, there could be a significant problem that needs to be check by the auto repair shop. 

The primary fluids in your car include engine oil, anti-freeze or coolant, transmission fluid, and gear oil. If any of these are leaking, you may have a seal or gasket that needs attention, and if the coolant is leaking, there is a bigger issue because the cooling system is a closed loop and should be sealed.

Leaking oil is common as the car ages, but you should not ignore it because low oil levels can damage parts inside the engine. If the transmission is leaking, the fluid level will eventually get low enough that the transmission will not shift properly and could be damaged. 

Strange Odors 

When you drive your car every day, you may start to recognize strange odors coming from the vehicle. Several things can cause these odors, and often they are indicators of a potential problem, so they should be checked by an auto repair shop. 

The brakes in your car or truck can produce a burning smell when they get hot. If you just came down a large hill, you might expect that, but if you suddenly start smelling a hot or burning odor after using the brakes, you could have a brake caliper that is handing up and dragging on the caliper.

Dragging brakes can cause premature wear of the pads and reduced gas mileage, and if the brake pads get hot enough, it can cause a fire. Any odor that starts suddenly and does not go away needs to be investigated, and the tech at the auto repair shop is the best person to do that. 

Sudden Vibrations

If you notice a vibration in your car that was not there before, it may be essential to have the vehicle checked at an auto repair shop. Vibrations can be related to tire damage, worn suspension parts, shocks or structs needing replacement and driveline issues like u-joints or CV joints. Unidentified vibrations that do not go away can be a sign of a bigger problem and should not be neglected. 

Visit an auto repair shop near you if you notice any of these issues.