Gearhead Guru Guide: Common Car Problems and How to Stay Ahead of the Game with Maintenance

Apr 11, 2024

We love to impart our knowledge of cars to our friends, clients, and readers so they can be better prepared in any situation! Improve your knowledge of car care with our latest series, the Gearhead Guru Guide. Our guides are chock full of helpful tips, tricks, and things to look for so you can head off large, costly repairs before they happen! Learn how to diagnose those strange noises, how to prevent those pesky warning lights from popping up too often, understand who to contact for professional assistance, and save yourself a lot of headaches along the way.

On today’s blog we’re going to go over some common car problems and what to expect. While these may seem like obvious choices, for a first time car owner, sometimes even the small stuff can seem overwhelming! With our latest guide, we’ll help you stay calm in a sticky situation. Let’s talk about common car issues and how to avoid them.

Suspicious Fluids Leaking

Let’s learn how to identify fluid leaks by color and location, so we know what to expect when we bring the vehicle into the shop!

If you notice a spot under your vehicle that is pink , yellow, or green hued, and it smells slightly sweet, this is a coolant leak. Antifreeze usually leaks out of the front part of your vehicle, near the engine, but it may also leak from the exhaust pipe.It’s imperative to bring your vehicle into service immediately for this, as low coolant levels can cause engines to overheat and potentially seize.
If you notice a liquid that is translucent red to dark red or reddish brown, that means it’s transmission fluid. You’ll notice these leaks under the vehicle around the midsection. This is another imperative repair need, as it may be something like a minor leak, or more seriously a major engine problem.
Power steering fluid is a reddish brown fluid, and sometimes is easily confused for transmission or oil leaks. You’ll notice a power steering leak as pinkish or reddish spots underneath the vehicle.
Brake fluid leaks will look like a puddle of light yellow, amber, or brown fluid underneath the vehicle. You may also notice the brake pedal feels soft when pressed, which means air is getting into the lines through a leak.
Engine oil is a very common fluid leak. It will look black, and may have a slight shimmer to it, with a light burnt odor. You will notice this leak more towards the front of the vehicle, under the engine. This may be a small issue like the oil pan being knocked out of place or an old oil filter, easily remedied by an oil change. However, it may be something larger like a cracked oil pan or even faulty engine valves. Make sure you bring your car in for a service and oil change, but be sure to add a quart or so of the missing oil until you can get the car into the shop safely.

Illuminated Dashboard Lights

The first time those little dash icons light up can be nervewracking, especially the infamous “check engine” or “service soon” light! But those warnings are exactly that, a warning so you’ll know to bring your vehicle in before the problem has become overwhelming. The sooner you can bring your vehicle in to a service center for a diagnosis, the better. Let’s take a look at some common warnings (Specific symbols or phrasing will vary for each make/model of car, so you can consult your owners manual for accurate icons.)

ABS – this indicates an issue with your ABS system, and that it has been deactivated due to a malfunction, a sensor issue, or low levels in the fluid reservoir. You’ll want to drive more carefully and avoid aggressive braking if this illuminates while you’re on the road. If this comes on at the same time as the Brake System light comes on, stop driving and have your vehicle towed to the mechanic asap as it’s no longer safe to drive.
Check Engine Light – This light strikes fear into the heart of most drivers, but the truth is that it is a very ambiguous warning. It could be something as simple as a loose wire or loose gas cap, or it could be something larger at play with the engine. The best bet is to bring the vehicle in for a diagnostic test. Your mechanic will be able to determine the problem and clear the road with an OBD scan.
Oil Pressure Light – This can indicate that your vehicle has low oil levels and need a top off, or may mean there’s a leak and low oil pressure, which can damage your engine if you continue to drive.
Tire Pressure Light – This one is a simple alert and solution. Your tires are under-inflated, signifying low tire pressure which is remedied by putting air in the tire. If that doesn’t fix the problem, there may be a puncture or leak which can be patched by your local service center. To inflate your tires to proper pressure, check the inside sticker on your driver’s side door, or your vehicle owner’s manual for the right PSI.
Temperature Warning Lights – The engine temperature light indicates a possible coolant leak, water pump issue, broken thermostat, or other serious engine problem. You should bring this in for a diagnostic straight away.
Fuel Light – If this is illuminated, you’ll need to stop by a gas station to fill up ASAP. This means you’re low on fuel and if you continue to drive it may stall out and require a tow.

Easy Mileage Milestones for Maintenance

Making sure to hit your regular service appointments when they’re due is a vital step to keeping your car running like new for years to come.

Every 3,000-6,000 miles – Have your vehicle’s oil changed.
Every 6,000 miles – Make sure to get a tire rotation and an alignment.
Every 30,000 Miles – You’ll want to do a full service call each 30k miles for the following: oil change and system check, cabin air filter replacement, tire inspection and balance, spark plug check/replacement, fluids top off, engine tune up, timing belt inspection
Every 50,000 Miles – Replace your shocks/struts.
Every 60,000 miles – Repeat the same checks as your 30k appointment, as well as the belts, hoses, tire treads.
Every 100,000 miles – Select a high-mileage engine oil and coolant, change the spark plugs.

If you’re in need of a repair or service on your vehicle, or need to schedule a regular maintenance appointment, our service center is here to help! Give us a call at Classic Auto Body of Waukegan and we’ll be happy to help and get your car back on the road in no time!