Caring your car
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Tips and Advice so You Can Depend on Your Car
A car is an expensive investment, so knowing how to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape can save you tons of
money. Overall, the cost of owning a car is a lot higher than many might think – there is the cost of car insurance,
taxes, interest on the car loan, repairs, fuel costs, and the cost of the vehicle itself. By implementing all or some of
these car care tips, you can begin to save a significant amount of time and money.
Just a little time spent on research can save you future repairs and tons of money. You don’t need to be
mechanically savvy to detect common vehicle problems. You just need to be able to use your sense of smell and
sight.
Take a Look Around
Are there stains under your vehicle? Do you see drips? They may not be a problem but if you see wet spots, it can
be a symptom of something far more serious. What color is the liquid you are seeing? Is it blue, orange, yellowish
green? Then it could indicate a radiator leak, damage from an overheated engine, or a water pump that needs
repairs. Leaks such as these should be addressed quickly.
Black oily fluid or dark brown could indicate an oil leak on the engine. A bad gasket or seal can cause this type of
leak. These types of repairs can quickly run into a lot of money so it’s a good idea to take your vehicle to a
mechanic you trust.
A red oily spot could indicate power steering fluid leak or transmission leak. Sometimes you will see clear liquid,
which is usually just condensation and nothing to worry about. If you see light smoke coming from your wheel
while you are driving it could mean you have a brake that’s stuck and you should pull over. Any type of smoke
means you need to see a mechanic regarding a vehicle repair.
Put Your Nose to Work
Don’t be afraid to sniff around and see if you can detect a problem with your vehicle. If you smell burned toast it
may be burning insulation or an electrical short. Don’t risk driving it. If you have a rotten egg smell it’s likely the
catalytic converter and it will need to be repaired.
A thick sharp odor is often a symptom of burning oil. Have a look under the car to see if you can spot a leak. You
may also see a bluish smoke coming from your vehicles tailpipe – you need to have this looked at as soon as
possible.
If you smell gas after your vehicle fails to start the engine may have become flooded. Wait a few minutes and try
again. If you continue to notice a gas odor you may have a leak somewhere in your fuel system, which can be
dangerous, so have your vehicle taken to a mechanic as soon as possible.
These simple tips will help to alert you of a potential problem with your vehicle that should be addressed.
