When Should You See a Car Mechanic? | Midas

Midas Car Care Tips

When Should You See a Car Mechanic?

Seeing a car mechanic can feel like one of those old, fabled stories where people journey to see a wizard in the mountains – long, winding, and a little scary if you don’t know where you should start. We know how difficult it is for someone who doesn’t quite know their way around a car to try and determine if there’s a problem – and we also understand that you most likely don’t want to spend too much money on a problem that might not even be there. Today, we’re going to look at four major systems in your car, and tell you about which bumps, groans and rattles mean that your car is in need of a tune-up, and which ones mean you probably should have eaten a little more breakfast this morning. Keep in mind that these are only a few signs you need to see a mechanic, not an exhaustive guide. If you’re concerned and not sure whether it’s a problem, it’s much better to have your car checked out by a trusted mechanic than to ignore it.

Signs you Need a Transmission Tune-Up

Your transmission is responsible for shifting gears in your vehicle, making sure that you get the optimum amount of power from the engine to the wheels. There are two types of transmission – automatic and manual – and each kind has its own potential issues. If you notice any of these, head to a mechanic to see if your car is in need of a transmission repair.

Manual

If you drive a car with a manual transmission and you notice that the gears stubbornly won’t shift when you tell them to, or if the gear change causes a loud clunk, then you most likely have a problem with your car’s gearbox that needs prompt diagnosis.

Automatic

Problems with an automatic transmission are slightly different to manual cars, as the driver is not engaged in the gear-shifting process. Instead, the car determines what gear it should be in based on a system involving a torque converter and planetary gearsets in the gearbox – but that’s a little complicated for this blog.

If you notice loud clunks as gear ratios click into place, usually if you’re pulling off from a stop or shifting from park to drive, then you most likely have an issue with your transmission. Similarly, if your car starts to shudder or move reluctantly when you drive up a hill, or pull off from a standstill, then your gearbox is definitely having trouble.

Signs Your Engine is in Trouble

Your engine is a complex system of intricate parts, and depending on the kind of car you have the diagnosis of any problems will differ. That said, there are a few things that are universal indicators of potential malfunctions.

First of all, if your engine is reluctant to heat up after about five minutes of driving, or if your car regularly overheats when idling or driving, then you probably have an issue with your engine’s temperature regulation. Radiators and coolants work to keep your engine’s temperature at the optimum level, and any malfunctions there could spell disaster for the carburettor.

Secondly, if you notice a loud sound of stress emanating from beneath the bonnet while driving – such as rattling or “chugging” noise – then your engine is working a lot harder than it should be to keep your car moving. This could be caused by a variety of things, but commonly it’ll be an oil or fluid leak. Pay attention to your exhaust fumes – if they are black and foul-smelling, you most likely have an oil leak that could damage your engine.

Finally, if your check engine light has come on, get yourself to a mechanic ASAP.

Signs Your Brakes Are Worn Out

As soon as humanity started figuring out how to go fast, we needed to figure out how to reliably come to a stop. Once your brakes start going, it’s best practice to get them looked at quickly. Problems with your brakes are fairly easy to sniff out, mostly because they are so hard to ignore in the first place.

Juddering, inconsistent braking and loud squealing as you come to a stop are all big signs that your brakes are starting to give up on you. Most of the time all you will need is a replacement set of brake pads to be on your way again, but sometimes a misaligned calliper or a faulty brake line can be the culprit. Brakes are a hugely important part of your car’s safety systems, so when you observe a problem, head to a mechanic to get it sorted quickly.

There you have it! Those are some of the most common problems that should send you to your local auto-shop, and how to spot them on the road. Always be sure that you’re heading to a mechanic that you trust, and who places your peace of mind (and safety) as their top priority.

We’re your local experts, and we value your peace of mind

At any local Midas, you’ll discover a team of friendly mechanics eager to help you out as quickly and efficiently as possible, all in the interest of getting you safely on the road again. We handle everything from vehicle inspections to fleet servicing, so if you’ve noticed any of the problems come and see us today!