Having a new car means being ready for anything that could happen to your car. It would be an advantage if you know something about cars or know how to perform some level of repairs. There could also be instances when you need to bring your car to a skilled and experienced mechanic. In this case, having the best extended car warranty can be the most valuable help you can get. Below are the common car problems you might face and what you should do about them.
- A Shaking Steering Wheel
Several issues can cause this problem while driving. Damaged suspension or wheel bearing parts often cause it if it occurs once you start the car and drive. A wheel or tire balance problem often causes it if it happens at a higher driving speed. The solution is to bring your car in for an inspection. Then, the mechanic can repair your vehicle.
- A Flat Tire
Following a car owner’s manual can help you change your flat tire. If you do not have the manual, you can search for an online guide. You could do it if you have all the tools and a spare tire. If not, your extended warranty provider can send a towing service. It will bring your car to the nearest auto shop.
- Warning Lights
These lights tell you to check your engine. This is a common problem for owners of American-made SUVs, trucks, and cars. The warning light will appear when the engine control unit senses an error code. A professional mechanic can inspect the problem to see what the real problem is. Then, the mechanic can repair it.
- Dead Battery
This is an issue that you can resolve if you know how to jumpstart your car. But if you have a five-year-old car battery, it would be better to replace it. Replacing the battery is easy. Online videos can help you do it. This can save you some money for more important repairs in the future.
- Headlight Turns Off Suddenly
You can fix this on your own. Replacing the headlight bulb is all it takes to solve the problem. It is ideal to replace the headlights as a set. You can finish the job in about 30 minutes. After that, you will save money and feel fulfilled at the same time.
- Misfiring Engine
The car’s combustion chamber must have good mixing and burning of fuel and air. The ignition and fuel systems must work well together as well. These make the engine run smoothly. Sputtering or misfiring can prevent all these components from working the right way. Reducing this issue needs on-time fuel replacements. Knowing when to replace the ignition system parts can help as well. The manufacturer’s recommendations can help guide you with the schedule.
- Blown Fuse
This problem often manifests when the car’s electrical features stop working. Look at your car owner’s manual and look for your car’s fuse panels. The guide will also let you know how to fix your blown fuse. Bringing your car to your trusted mechanic will be better if you do not want to mess with the car’s system.
- Worn-Down Spark Plugs
Spark plugs wear down or burn up over time. This happens when a spark skips the space between two electrodes. This event erodes small amounts of the metal spark plugs. This gap grows bigger until the spark cannot jump over it anymore. This is when your car experiences poor acceleration, misfires, poor gas mileage, and engine errors. You can change your car’s spark plugs with the right tools. Bringing your car in for a good professional check can also help.
- Poor Fuel Use
An efficient, healthy engine burns fuel at a good rate. This helps enhance the car’s fuel economy. Worn-out or dirty parts of the fuel system can affect this fuel efficiency. These are your O2 sensors, air filters, fuel filters, and mass air flow filters. The engine will start to use up more fuel than usual if any of these parts get dirty or give out. Routine car checks can resolve this problem.
- Failed Alternator
Your car’s alternator keeps all of its electrical systems running when you start your car. It supplies a charge to the car’s battery to keep it working well. A failed or broken alternator causes the battery to wear out earlier. This will result in problems with car starts. A trip to the mechanic can check the alternator. Replacing it before it breaks can prevent bigger problems.
Being Familiar With Common Car Problems Can Help You Take Action Right Away
Being a responsible car owner means being proactive in caring for your vehicle. Knowing the common car problems and knowing how to deal with them can save time, energy, and money. You can resolve some of them and entrust the others to your mechanic. Early detection is key. Following your car manufacturer’s routine check and replacement schedule can help keep your car in top shape.
