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What to Do If You Scratch Your Car

3 Signs It's Time to Pay Your Car Mechanic a Visit

28 February 2022

Anne Burke

While you can jumpstart your car yourself, you may not handle other serious issues without some help. Trying to fix such issues on your own might only worsen things or lead to serious safety hazards.

For instance, you shouldn't attempt to repair the ignition system, replace the shock absorbers, or do any electrical repairs on your car if you're not sure what to do. You should call your mechanic if you notice any of the following signs.

Flashing Check Engine Light

A flashing check engine light may not always be a cause for concern. However, the light can indicate a hidden problem that could get out of hand if you don't act quickly. A check engine light could mean that the gas cap is loose or broken. This issue will trigger your car's computer system to send false malfunction alerts and turn on the engine light.

For instance, the emission control sensors may falsely detect the presence of air in your fuel tank or a fuel line leak. You'll be forced to resolve a non-existing problem or even tamper with parts that don't have issues.

A faulty catalytic converter can also cause your check engine light to come on. Unfortunately, this is a very serious issue that causes your car to move sluggishly or develop acceleration problems. Talk to an auto repair expert to prevent further damage to your vehicle.

Excessive Smoke from the Exhaust

Black smoke from the exhaust system could be a sign that your car is burning excessive fuel. This glitch could be due to clogged air filters, fuel injectors, or even a faulty fuel pressure regulator.

Sometimes, your vehicle may also produce white or grey smoke. Thick white smoke may signify a malfunctioning head gasket or a damaged cylinder. Grey smoke may be caused by excessive oil consumption, a bad turbocharger, or an automatic transmission fluid problem.

You will have to contact your mechanic immediately you notice unusual smoke coming from your exhaust. Otherwise, you risk having minor issues culminate into far more damaging problems.

Sudden Transmission Issues

A slipping gears problem manifests as sudden unresponsiveness during acceleration. The most common cause of such transmission issues is insufficient transmission fluid. When your car lacks enough transmission fluid, the system won't transfer power from your engine to the wheels effectively.

If your transmission fluid levels keep dropping, your car system most likely has an undetected fluid leak. The problem will only escalate if it's not resolved on time. Your transmission system will eventually start to overheat, leading to unexpected failure.

If your gears still slip, even when your transmission fluid levels are normal, then the fluid has probably reached the end of its life. The obsolete fluid is most likely saturated with contaminants. These contaminants reduce the fluid's effectiveness to transfer power through the car's transmission system. The result is sudden unexplained transmission issues that require urgent attention from an accredited auto repair specialist.

Contact an automotive repair service near you to learn more.

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