The general rule of thumb dictates you should book your car in for a service at least once a year. Regularly taking your motor to the garage is important because it provides access to specialist mechanics who can evaluate your vehicle to diagnose any issues. This will make sure it runs safely and is working as efficiently as possible.
In some cases, you may have to take your car to the garage sooner than planned. It is important not to ignore any red flags your car may present, as this could put you at risk, and become extremely costly down the line. It will also enable you to uphold the value of your car. Nipping any problems in the bud as soon as they arise is key.
Here are four signs that a trip to the garage may be due.
#1 Unusual noises
If you have noticed a new noise coming from your car, perhaps a tick, click, squeak or hiss, it could be a sign that there is a problem with your vehicle. Take note of when the sound occurs (when you are driving or carrying out a particular manoeuvre) and see if you can figure out where it is coming from. With any new sound that does not sound right, it is important to take your vehicle to the garage to ensure it gets checked out.
#2 Warning lights
While it is easy to ignore the warning lights that come up on your dashboard, they are there for a reason. Some symbols are a sign that you are due a general service, while others are a sign of a fault. If a warning light comes on, it is vital to check the car manual to find out what the warning light is trying to tell you. This will help you understand if it is something minor you can fix, or if your vehicle needs to visit a garage.
#3 Loss of control
If you find that you are not in full control of your vehicle when you are driving, for example, it pulls to one side, it could mean that you need new brake calipers. This is a sign that should not be ignored, as this loss of control is extremely dangerous, especially in cold and icy conditions. If the brake calipers have failed, then it is also going to impact other areas of your car quite quickly, too. For example, it will begin to wear down your brake pads faster than normal.
#4 Puddles of liquid
With the great British weather, it is often hard to tell if there is a puddle of rain under your car, or liquid you should be concerned about. The key to understanding if there is a problem, is by identifying the colour of the liquid. On most occasions, the liquid is due to condensation. If there is a colour to the liquid, for example, brown, then you could have a problem with oil, steering fluid or brake fluid and you must seek a mechanic.
It is important to keep an eye out for anything that does not seem right in your vehicle and find a mechanic to check it out.
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