A vehicle may have various faults that may occur due to normal wear and tear, improper operation, insufficient maintenance, or other external factors. If you want to know about the symptoms of typical car breakdowns, this article is for you.
Vibration While Driving
If during driving there are vibrations that are felt not only on the steering wheel, but also spread to the entire body, the reasons can be both serious and simple. The first thing to do is to check the balance of the wheels. It happens that the balance weights are removed or fall off the rim, and this leads to the generation of vibration. The reason may also be sticking to a larger mass of dirt.
A slightly more problematic defect would be tire damage, such as tread bulge, starting after accidental blocking, etc. Sometimes it's hard to notice, but even an irregularity that is not noticeable can cause vibrations, especially at higher speeds. A damaged rim can also be a problem. To sum up, check the rims and tires first. By the way, regularly check whether the wheels are installed correctly and whether they maintain the recommended pressure.
Big problems will arise due to a faulty hinge in front-wheel drive cars. Even an imperceptible bend of a millimeter can cause vibrations. Unfortunately, this is very difficult to diagnose even at a professional service station.
Exhaust Smoke
Exhaust smoke is normal, but if there is more than normal smoke and it has an unusual color (white, blue, or black), it could be a sign of a serious problem. The sooner you determine this, the cheaper the repair will be.
If there is a lot of white smoke behind the car, check the coolant level in the expansion tank. If its condition is low, and the radiator and all pipes are sealed, there may be a leak in the combustion chamber itself. It could be a cracked gasket or even a cracked block. In such cases, repairs can be very expensive. Among other symptoms:
- Blue colored smoke may indicate heavy wear or damage to the engine. This exhaust color indicates that in addition to fuel and air, the device also burns oil. The more intense the blue color, the more oil enters the combustion chamber. First check the engine oil level. If it is low, there is damage or heavy wear on the engine. A damaged turbocharger can also be a problem.
- Black smoke is commonly associated with diesel engines. If even slight pressure on the gas pedal ends up in a black cloud behind the car, this may be a sign of a component failure in the injection system. Self-diagnosis is difficult to carry out, and in this case it is recommended to visit a specialized workshop. A specialist should check the operation of the injectors, the injection pump and the exhaust gas recirculation system. If the problem is related to the gasoline unit, then the source may be too much fuel.
Loss of Engine Oil
In addition to the aforementioned oil loss due to combustion chamber leaks, mechanical or seal failure issues should be looked for. Rubber and silicone, from which the seals are made, lose their original properties over time and cease to be dense. If the oil level drops over time, even if you don't use your car very often, you should find the source of the leak and fix it as soon as possible. Oil loss can also be caused by a leaky turbocharger or a damaged oil pan.
Engine Starting Problems
In most cases, the fuel or ignition system is to blame for starting problems. Without the necessary equipment and knowledge, this is quite difficult to check, but several elements can be checked. First of all, you should listen if a small buzzing sound comes from the fuel tank while turning the key to the ignition position. If so, the pump is supplying fuel. If not, it may be damaged. Check the fuse before replacing. If the fuse is good, the problem may be with the pump relay.
Another possible cause of vehicle starting problems could be a ventilated fuel supply system. A dirty or leaky check valve could be the culprit. Other causes may include a lack of fuel in the tank or a dead battery, as well as a failure of the immobilizer or alarm system.
Air From Tire
This is a fairly trivial problem, but in many cases it can be very annoying. In the case of a punctured tire, the air escapes quickly and the only solution is to replace the wheel and, if possible, repair the damaged tire. Sometimes, however, it happens that the air comes out quite slowly, and every few days you need to replenish it. In this case, you should also carefully check the condition of the tire, as it may have a screw, nail, or other object that has pierced it.
A leaking or damaged valve can also be a problem, as well as damage to the rim around the valve or contact with the tire. Even slight damage or corrosion can cause a very slow but constant loss of air from a tire.
Uneven Tire Or Tire Wear
The tire tread must wear evenly over the entire surface. If the driver notices that all tires or one of them are worn unevenly, he should carefully check the condition of the suspension and toe. Also, check the condition of the rims and check the tire pressure. These are the basics that every driver should remember. If the center of the tread wears more than the edges of the tyre, this may mean that the air pressure is too high in most cases. Otherwise, the air pressure would be too low. Increased tire wear can also indicate an aggressive driving style.
Conclusion
Some malfunctions can reduce vehicle performance and fuel economy. It is very important to notice the symptoms and repair the car on time. This way you can maintain its optimal performance.