Signs Your Car Has An Issue: From Flat Tyres To Car Radiator Repair

There are a number of common issues that can arise with vehicles requiring repairs from vehicle technicians to resolve. Whilst it can sometimes be difficult to identify an issue with your car, problems such as the steering wheel shaking, smoke coming from the exhaust pipe and uneven wear on the tyres are all clear signs of common issues.

When issues arise with cars it can often be inconvenient and frustrating waiting for the issue to get resolved. This is one of the main reasons why it is important to schedule regular servicing to ensure that any problems that arise with a vehicle are quickly identified and can be fixed before they become more complex and time-consuming to resolve. In addition to taking your car in for a service when these common signs are present, if you see performance is reduced in your vehicle or fuel efficiency is lower it can often be a good idea to book in a service to identify any potential problems.

Several steps that can be taken in order to maximise the performance and fuel efficiency of your vehicle in addition to regular servicing. Steps such as accelerating and decelerating can make a significant difference in addition to changing the oil regularly and turning the engine on regularly if you do not frequently use your car to ensure that the battery does not go flat. Services such as dpf filter cleaning and oil filter replacement all help ensure that the long-term performance of your car is maximised.

Read more for some further information on some of the common signs that your car has an issue.

Unstable Steering

There is a number of issues with the car that can contribute to unstable steering in a vehicle. One of the most common problems leading to safety issues in controlling a vehicle is flat tyres. If you have inflated the tyres on your vehicle and one of them is deflating more quickly than the other tyres on your car this can be an indication of a slow puncture.

If there is an issue with one tyre on a car that means it needs to be replaced then both tyres on an axle will require replacement with tyres of the same tread depth to ensure that the vehicle remains balanced. In addition to slow punctures, if the tread depth on your car’s tyres is less than 3mm it is recommended to get new tyres fitted.

Uneven Tyre Wear

Similarly to issues with unstable, uneven tyre wear can have a number of different causes. One common cause of uneven tyre wear relates to wheel alignment. Through regularly checking your vehicle’s tyres it is possible to identify any issues with tyres wearing down unevenly. Another common cause of uneven tyre wear is overinflated tyres. As the area of the tyre making contact with the road is reduced when the tyre is overinflated this reduces traction creating a safety risk and can have a negative impact on fuel efficiency.

The vehicle handbook for your car will provide information on the recommended tyre pressure. In order to establish whether the tyres of your vehicle are overinflated, it is important to measure tyre pressure whilst the tyres are cold as the temperature from the tyres running on the road can impact the pressure reading. As there can be a range of different issues leading to tyres wearing down unevenly if you notice this issue, taking your car into the garage can be a useful step in providing clarity and identifying the factors that have contributed to the problem.

Damaged Brakes

In addition to the brake light in your vehicle showing there is a range of other signs that there are issues with a vehicle’s brakes. One common sign that the brakes on your vehicle require servicing is if there is vibration in the steering wheel whilst you press the brake pedal. It is a good idea to regularly check the brakes of your vehicle on your driveway whilst moving slowly in order to ensure that they are working properly. If you are concerned that there is an issue with the brakes on your car it is important to book your vehicle into the local garage for the issue to be resolved.

Smoke Coming Out The Exhaust

If you notice smoke coming out the exhaust of your vehicle this can be caused by issues such as issues with the air filter, fuel injector or fuel return line. The colour of the smoke coming out of the exhaust will provide an indication of the issue that is causing this. If the problem only occurs occasionally then it can be worth flagging this up when you take your car in for the next regular service. In the instance that problems with smoke coming out of the exhaust are persisting it can often be a good idea to book your car in for a checkup to establish the cause of the issue.

There can also be a range of other issues with the exhaust system of a vehicle that requires repair. One issue that can be identified at your vehicle’s service or MOT is a broken catalytic converter. This component within a car reduces harmful emissions by converting pollutants into other gases. From a sustainability standpoint, it is important that this component is fixed or replaced as soon as problems are identified. Issues with a broken exhaust pipe are easier to identify and can be caused by a range of issues such as debris on roads or internal corrosion.

Leaks in the exhaust system can lead to the smell of fumes in the car whilst driving, sometimes causing headaches. This issue can cause health risks, significantly reduce the fuel economy of the car and contribute to harmful emissions in the atmosphere. In some instances, you may not realise that harmful exhaust gases are released into the cabin of the vehicle as they are odourless. If you notice headaches whilst driving or your fuel economy is significantly reduced it is important to book your car into your local garage in order to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Services such as exhaust cleaning can be a useful step in regular maintenance for the exhaust system.

Common Issues With Engine Radiators

One of the key components to safe and efficient performance in any vehicle is the cooling system. There is a number of common issues that can arise with a vehicle’s radiator. One of these problems is leaks within the radiator. This can be identified by seeing coolant liquid, which is usually bright in colour, near the radiator. This can also be identified if coolant levels are running with a higher frequency. Any issues with the radiator of a vehicle mean that the temperature of the engine cannot be regulated properly and therefore requires immediate attention.

Issues with engine temperature can be identified through the engine temperature warning light. If the engine temperature warning light is showing it is important to stop your car and wait for the engine to cool down. Running the car while the engine is overheated is dangerous and can cause expensive and sometimes irreparable damage. If the issue is caused by coolant fluid running low then waiting for the engine to cool down and refilling the coolant fluid should resolve the issue. If the problem persists this can indicate damage to the radiator requiring a mechanic to identify and resolve the issue.

If the car engine overheats once the coolant has been refilled then it is important to take your car to the garage for a repair. As a result of the safety risk and the risk of permanent damage to the engine when a car’s engine is overheating, calling for a tow truck to take your car to the garage is the best step. By stopping the car and waiting for the engine to cool down the risk of long-term damage and potentially expensive repairs is reduced.

Finding A Garage To Help

Whilst with many common issues with cars most garages will be able to offer repairs and servicing there are some issues that can require more specialist attention. For classic and vintage cars, for example, it is often a good idea to take your car to a garage offering specialist maintenance services. In addition to the specialist expertise required to carry out maintenance on older vehicles, this also ensures the most cost-effective option for replacing broken parts in a vintage car.

Get In Touch Specialist Radiator Replacement And Intercooler Services In Staffordshire

Based in Stoke-On-Trent, our expert team at Applied Radiators provide specialist servicing, maintenance and repairs for vehicle radiators and intercoolers in a wide range of sectors. For more information on our range of services get in touch today by calling 01782 281628 or emailing sales@appliedradiators.co.uk.