4 Signs Your Car Needs Servicing

Owning a car can make your life a lot easier.

17:38 06 July 2021

It allows you the freedom to travel on a schedule that suits your needs; it can make doing the weekly grocery shopping a lot easier; and it can even give you the perfect cover when you need to pop out of the house when it’s pouring with rain. Yes, there are many benefits to owning a car, but there is also a lot of responsibility that comes with this. Car maintenance is essential to make sure that your vehicle is safe on the roads, and although you will have an annual MOT, here are some key signs that your car might need servicing before then.

 

1. Dashboard Warning Lights

 

If you have noticed a little red or amber light flashing at you from the dashboard, don’t ignore it. If these lights are consistently showing these colours, this is a warning that there is an issue with your car. It might be that you need to replenish the oil in your engine, or that there is a problem with the car battery. Whichever light is flashing up red will indicate where there is an issue in your car. If it is a problem that you don’t know how to fix yourself, or if the lights continue to flash red despite your efforts to resolve the issue, you need to take it in to see a professional mechanic. Preferably visit a mechanic that specialises in your brand of vehicle, such as this one that does Audi servicing Plymouth, as they might have better knowledge of your specific car.

 

2. Grinding Gears

 

There might be occasions where you accidentally grind your car's gears yourself, but if you’re doing everything right and this is still happening, it should be cause for concern. This might indicate that there is an issue with your clutch, or the gearbox itself, both of which can be very dangerous when driving. If you ever hear that awful sound of metal grinding against metal, take a trip to your local car service station.

 

3. Odd Sounds

 

If your car is making other strange sounds that seem out of place, particularly rattling, screeching or squeaking sounds, this should ring alarm bells, too. When a car is functioning properly, it shouldn’t make much more noise than the gentle hum of the engine as you drive down the road. An unhealthy car, on the other hand, might be trying to make you aware of a problem by making unusual sounds.

 

4. Your Engine Struggles to Start

 

If you’re having problems with getting your car to start, it might be because of a dead battery, but it could also be a problem with the engine. This is very inconvenient, especially if you’re far from home and have limited options for alternative transport. Don’t leave it too late if this is happening to you, go and get it looked at as soon as possible to avoid getting stranded or damaging your car further.

 

If you notice any of the above happening with your vehicle, make sure you book in to get it looked at properly by a professional mechanic so you can resolve the issue and continue to drive safely.