6 Signs Your Car Needs A Professional Mechanic

Your car is a costly investment, so you want to be sure to take care of it properly. Whether it’s the check engine light, strange noises, or even something as simple as a sputtering engine, there are some common signs that your car needs to be taken to a professional mechanic right away.

1. Check Engine Light

You may have heard the expression, “The check engine light is on and/or flashing.” While it’s scary, the truth is that the light is a warning that something isn’t right with your car. That may mean a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, or it could be a much more serious problem, such as a misfiring engine. If the check engine light is on and steady, you can keep driving as long as nothing else is wrong with your vehicle. However, if the light is flashing, it’s time to pull over and bring your car in for service.

2. Unusual Noises

If you notice unusual noises coming from the engine, don’t let them go without getting them looked at. They might be something as simple as a belt issue or a bigger problem that will cost you a lot of money to fix. Whenever your car makes a certain noise when you’re accelerating, it’s usually a sign of something faulty in the engine. This means it could be a spark plug issue, a fuel pump or an ignition problem, among other things.

3. Difficulty Starting The Engine

Every engine needs four basic ingredients to start: sufficient cranking speed, good compression, adequate ignition voltage (with correct timing), and fuel. If your car is not starting, it may have a problem with one or more of these components. This can make diagnosing the problem very difficult for a non-professional technician, but it’s important to get your car back on the road as quickly as possible.

4. Exhaust Smoke

Smoke coming from your engine can be a symptom of many different issues, but the color of the emissions is one of the most important clues as to what the problem is. If you notice blue or grey exhaust smoke, it indicates that your engine is burning oil inside the combustion chambers. If you see a thick stream of exhaust smoke coming from your engine, you may need to get it checked out by a professional. This is not something you want to ignore, as it can be a sign of a serious problem that could cause costly damage if ignored.

5. Sputters While Driving

The sputtering sound you hear when your car’s engine is struggling could be the result of an issue with its exhaust system, fuel or dirty or worn out parts. It should be addressed by a professional as soon as possible to avoid irreversible damage and costly repairs in the future. A reputable mechanic will thoroughly inspect your car’s exhaust system, including its oxygen sensors, exhaust seals and gaskets, and exhaust manifold. He or she may also crank up your engine to diagnose the sputtering noise and find the source of the problem. Other common causes of engine sputtering include improper air-fuel mixture and spark plug misfires. These issues are often resolved by simply replacing the spark plugs or ignition coil.

6. Regular Oil Changes

Getting your oil changed regularly is a relatively quick and painless process. However, there are many drives who simply ignore doing it. Changing your oil is an important part of maintaining the integrity of your car and engine. This is because oil keeps the various parts of your engine lubricated, preventing them from rubbing together and overheating. This helps keep your vehicle’s engine running efficiently and smoothly, which means you get better fuel economy and a longer engine lifespan. It also prevents the buildup of sludge and dirt that can cause damage to internal mechanics.