How To Tell When Your Car Needs Service

Sometimes it is very clear that your car is in trouble, if you find yourself with a flat tire or a dead battery, but there are other issues that are harder to spot. Wrench has put together a list of common car problems that could indicate that it is time to book an appointment with a Wrench mobile technician so you do not end up stranded on the side of the highway when your engine fails due to lack of maintenance. Knowing what to look for when it comes to vehicle maintenance is a great skill to have and can save you a lot of money down the road. Whether it be identifying an unusual sound or even just understanding when the maintenance light means, you will be better equipped to handle any issue you may encounter.

Here are some signs that your car most likely needs to be serviced:

• Engine warning light. The yellow check engine light indicates that something is wrong with your engine and you should schedule an appointment with a Wrench mobile technician immediately. If the maintenance light comes on, this may indicate a different issue with the car, and while it may not be as serious as an engine problem, you should still get your car checked out in the near future. For more information on what to do when the check engine light comes on, click here.
• Smoke under the hood. Different colors of smoke mean different things and it is important to know what to look for. If you are seeing steam coming from under the hood, this may be caused by overheating or an issue with the radiator. Your car is not in grave danger but a service appointment should be scheduled immediately. If you are seeing a blue-ish smoke, this may be an indication of burning oil and you should stop driving immediately. Smoke under the hood does not automatically indicate one of the two issues detailed above so it is best to air on the side of caution and get the car checked by a Wrench mobile technician.
• Excessive smoke from the exhaust. The exhaust pipe should only omit a minimal amount of exhaust, and anything more than this is a sign that another issue is at play. There could be a problem with the exhaust system as a whole or it may just be due to an oil leak, but either way should be appraised by a professional.
• Recurring or sudden transmission issue. If your car is having difficulty getting up to speed and seems to be working harder than usual, this is most likely a transmission issue. Other indicators of a transmission issue include weird noises or leaking fluid.
• Leaks. If your car has a leaky exhaust pipe every once in a while, this is probably nothing to worry about. However, if you notice it happening more frequently, or if there are leaks coming from the front of the car, you should get it checked out as soon as possible. Leaks in the front could engine oil, transmission fluid, or brake fluid, all of which are necessary for the engine to run smoothly.
• Strange noises. Pay attention to your car if it is trying to tell you something. Avoid driving with music playing at full blast all the time so you are able to monitor for unusual noises. These noises could include louder-than-usual exhaust sounds, metal scraping, brake squealing, or whining under the hood. Any of these could indicate a bigger issue going on and should not be ignored. Failing to recognize that something does not sound right could result in further damage in the long run.
• Poor gas mileage. If your car is not getting the gas mileage that you are used to, there could be an issue with the brake pads or tire pressure. Regularly check your tire pressure and monitor the gas mileage so that it does not get worse.

These are just a few indicators that your car needs service, but the bottom line is that it is important to constantly be on the lookout for abnormalities in your car. Not only will this protect you from a potentially dangerous situation on the road if problems are left untreated, but it could save you time and money in the future. The best thing you can do is familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s owner’s manual so that you stay up to date on the maintenance schedule and have a good idea of when it needs a check up. Take care of your car, and it will take care of you back! If you have further questions about our services or using Wrench during a global pandemic, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email, at hello@wrench.com, or by phone, at 844-997-3624.