Running late for work only to start your vehicle and realize something doesn’t sound, look or feel right can be frustrating. Indeed, a car is a machine, and problems can arise at any moment. According to CNBC, battery failure is the primary cause of a problem 44% of the time. Although regular servicing helps prolong your car’s lifespan, you may sometimes face issues that you don’t have much control over. For example, if you accidentally got locked out of your vehicle in the dead of night, you’ll have no choice but to call a 24-hour automotive locksmith to bail you out. Below are some three common car problems and how you can solve them.
- A discharged battery
Your battery may run out for many reasons, including a defective alternator (usually due to an aging battery) and faulty charging. Additionally, leaving your car’s electrical gadgets on for too long, such as interior lights or headlights when you park, can damage your battery.
Car batteries get charged when the alternator functions optimally. Therefore, when you park your car for weeks on end without moving or running it for a few minutes a day, the battery discharges because the alternator is off. As a solution, you’ll need to jump-start the car using a jumper cable and a donor vehicle. You only need to figure out the positive and negative terminal connection between the line and the donor car.
However, if that doesn’t work out, you’ll have to physically remove the battery for a full charge at the mechanic’s shop. Assuming it’s a new battery, the cause may be a faulty alternator. In that case, it’s best to replace the latter or ask the mechanic to check the connection.
- Vehicle emitting white exhaust smoke
This problem usually happens if your coolant or water has found its way into the car’s combustion chamber. The resulting reaction is the production of thick white-colored smoke from your vehicle’s exhaust pipes. It’s worth knowing that the leakage into the combustion chamber happens because of a faulty head gasket. You should avoid running the engine when you notice this as it can cause the car’s engine to overheat.
A faulty gasket isn’t a problem you can fix on your own. It’s best to get a licensed mechanic to repair or replace it. Doing this will help your gasket function properly by serving as a seal between the cylinder head and engine.
In most cases, squeaky brakes can go back to normal on their own, especially when they’re new. However, if they are old and begin to squeak loudly, it’s likely due to wear and tear. Brakes are designed to wear after a period of regular usage as part of their efficiency. Therefore, it will be dangerous to ignore squeaky old ones as they may not provide safe stopping when the need arises.
Grinding brakes also indicate a more significant problem and usually occur when the brake disc and caliper rub against each other. Once again, it’s best to hire a professional to fix the issue.
Your car is a machine that requires technical knowledge to fix when a problem arises. Therefore, it’s advisable to avoid handling them yourself to prevent injury or damaging your vehicle any further.
