Signs Your Car Might Be Dying You Shouldn’t Ignore
If you aren't really car savvy then you may not know when to get your car looked at or checked out at an auto shop. A lot of car issues are progressive in nature and while a small sound or smell may not seem like a huge deal at the moment, in time it can be the difference between having to buy a new car altogether and keeping the one you have now.
Here is a list of things that you should pay attention to and address immediately once you notice a change in your car. This list goes over everything from odors and sounds to things that you can visually see. When it comes to your vehicle’s safety and sustainability its always better to be safe than sorry.
Engine Light Turned On
One of the first things that will alert you that your car may be dying soon is when the engine light turns on. This is the immediate indicator that something has gone wrong in your car and that you need to get it checked out.
While this light coming on could also mean that there is only something minor happening, most modern cars have a separate maintenance light for those problems.
Black Smoke Coming From Exhaust
Any noticeable smoke coming from your exhaust is bad, if you or someone else notices that you have dark black smoke coming out of your car, then it is best to take your car to a shop as soon as possible to get it checked out.
You could be experiencing issues with your engine or something else that could be causing dark-colored smoke to come out of your exhaust. In addition to that, you are releasing a lot of harmful fumes into the atmosphere and potentially affecting other drivers.
Foul Odor Inside
If you start to smell a foul odor that you can't seem to single down and figure out, then not only should you not drive with the windows rolled up but you should also make sure to get your vehicle checked out as soon as you're able.
If there is something wrong in your engine, then there are chances that some of the gas could’ve gotten into your a/c or heater and are seeping into the car.
Vehicle Shakes at High Speeds
When you are driving, if you start to notice that your car shakes the faster you accelerate then it could potentially be a cylinder misfire.
Cars are powered by controlled explosions so if one of your cylinders is misfiring then that could potentially be incredibly dangerous and cause other parts of your engine to misfire as well and could cause irreparable damage. The rattling of the car can cause other components to shake loose or leak out causing even bigger problems.
Slow To Start
Does it take a few turnovers before you're able to start your car? This could be caused by damage to your transmission and if you can't start your car then you can’t use it which defeats the purpose.
But a down transmission or starter could only be the beginning of your car problems and a car that’s slow to start could mean even bigger problems so you should take your car to be seen to make sure it's nothing major.
A Crank Or Clicking Sound Under The Hood When You Turn The Key
While your car may not have any issues starting if you notice a clicking or cranking sound when starting your car then it could be a potential bad engine.
The engine is the heart of your car and when that goes bad nothing else can work the way that it is intended. A cranking or clicking could also mean that your car's battery might be dying soon and needs to be checked or replaced.
Dash Lights Don't Work
Once you start your car, if you notice that the dash lights are not working properly or are dim or don't work, then it could indicate that you are having battery problems and need to replace your battery soon.
It could also mean that there are potential electrical issues that your car is experiencing and you need to make sure that all of your wires are functioning properly and are still connected. A bad wire or dead battery can cause an electrical fire under your hood or in your dash.
If You Are Having To Jump The Car Frequently
Sometimes cars will need a boost to get it going which is for the most part pretty normal, but if you are having to jump your car every day or more frequently then you might want to consider the idea that your car's alternator isn’t working and needs to be replaced.
Your alternator is supposed to charge your battery and if that isn’t happening then you could end up with a dead car sooner than you expect.
Corrosion or Film on battery
The inside of batteries are filled with a lot of potentially dangerous and highly flammable chemicals and metals to make it function correctly but if you notice a film on your battery or corrosion, then there is a high chance that some of these chemicals and metals have found their way out and are starting to deteriorate your battery.
A leaky old battery not only means that it needs to be replaced and disposed of but given that most batteries last years, needing a new battery might also indicate that you need to replace other things in your car as well.
Battery Light Turns On
In order for your car to function properly, you need your battery to work. A battery light turning on while you are driving or when you try to start your car means that you need to either get a new battery or jump your car until you can get your battery checked on by a mechanic or technician.
While batteries aren't the most expensive fix on a car, the battery not working can cause a domino chain of other issues that can cause your car not to work properly.
Headlights Are Dimmer Than Usual
If you notice that your headlights are dimmer than normal then you could be experiencing battery issues or other larger electrical problems.
One headlight being dim might just mean that you need a new lightbulb. To avoid a ticket or confusing other drivers on the road, always replace dead headlights and tail lights as soon as you notice them. And find your nearest mechanic if both of your lights are dim which could mean something worse.
Power Seats Stop Working
A semi-luxury feature in a lot of new cars, power seats allow for easier adjusting for both the driver and passengers.
If you find that your seats aren't adjusting when trying to move them, then there could be an electrical problem causing parts of your car to not communicate with the other. While moving your headrest up 45 degrees isn’t the biggest or most important thing that you need to do, your engine talking to your cylinders or transmission is.
Backfiring
Often the pun of a lot of jokes, a car that backfires is no funny matter if you are the one in the driver's seat. A car that backfires could mean that your car is misfiring and that you could have potential engine or cylinder problems.
If you find that your car is backfiring really violently or loudly then get your car to the nearest dealer. Once there, they can make sure that there isn't anything dangerous or serious occurring.
Having to Push on Gas Pedal for Car to Start
When driving, pushing on the gas pedal should typically cause your car to accelerate and increase in speed. If you find that your car isn't responding to you after pushing down on the gas pedal then you need to get your car checked out.
This issue can eventually worsen to the point where even pressing your gas pedal to the floor doesn’t tell it to accelerate and you can’t move the car at all.
Windshield Wipers Stop Responding
One of the earliest advanced features on cars, most of us wouldn't imagine trying to drive in the rain on inclement weather without having them available. If you notice that your windshield wipers stop moving when you turn them on then you could be experiencing electrical issues that are indicative of a possibly even bigger problem.
Windshield wipers not working could mean that other electrical controlled and activated parts of your car may stop working too.
Battery Case Is Swollen
Under normal circumstances and traditional wear and tear, your battery should never morph or change form. If you start to notice that your battery case is swelling then you should replace your battery as soon as possible and take extra precaution when driving the car.
Battery acid or fluid could be leaking or your battery might be on the verge of exploding and causing damage to other vital parts under the hood.
Grinding Brakes
When used normally, brakes will naturally wear over time. They need to be replaced every few years depending on how often you drive your car, the type of driving you do and where you are driving.
Grinding brakes and squeaking not only mean that you need to replace your breaks soon but it could also mean that the infrastructure of your car is shifting. If you start to notice your car leaning or veering to the left or right then check your alignment as well.
Stiff Steering Wheel
While your car needs the engine to drive and the cylinders to create energy to propel your car forward, without a steering wheel you would have no way to control where you're going.
Your car’s steering wheel is attached to a steering column which has to talk to your axle and wheels. If you feel that your steering is starting to get hard or your steering wheel won’t turn easily then you might have a serious problem that needs to be fixed.
Having to Change Oil Frequently
All cars need to have the oil changed every few months as well as have the filters on the car changed out in order for the engine to run smoothly.
If you find that you are having to get your oil changed more often you might have a bad engine in your car. This is especially true if the oil light is turning on more frequently. Going to a mechanic will help determine if you need a new engine.
Uneven Tire Wear
Tires are like the shoes of a car and like people have to buy new shoes and change them out every few months, tires also have to be changed out from time to time.
Depending on whether you have a rear or front-wheel drive, you may notice that some of your tires wear out faster than others but if you see that one tire isn't wearing like the others then it could indicate that there is an imbalance somewhere and you could have axle issues.
Radiator Leaks
If you are doing frequent check-ups on your car, or if you notice a funny smell or discolored liquid leaking on the ground when leaving a store or your house, then you could have a radiator leak.
The radiator makes sure that your engine stays cool and prevents your car from overheating. If that stops working and isn't fixed then your engine can also overheat and die or start to collapse because of the high temperatures.
Transmission Fluid Leaks
The transmission is what makes sure that the car is able to start and drive. Fluid in the transmission allows the pieces to move freely. You want to make sure that there isn't any fluid leaking out of your transmission.
In addition to the fluid leaking out of your transmission, it can leak onto other car parts and damage them as well. And with the fluid being flammable, it could possibly start a fire.
Car Battery Dies Quickly
The heart of the car is the engine and it is charged by your alternator. If you drive an older car or have had your car for a few years and see that your battery light comes on more often than it is supposed to, then you could either have a bad battery, a bad alternator or possibly both.
On the other hand, if only one of them is faulting, it can cause the other to break costing you a dead car and thousands of dollars to fix.
Smoke Coming Out Of Engine
Smoke coming out of your hood is a huge red flag letting you know that something is majorly wrong. If you are driving on the freeway and your car starts to smoke really bad, pull your car over as soon as you can and get away from it in case the car spontaneously combusts.
Cars, unfortunately, can and sometimes will catch on fire and the first signs of this happening is smoke coming out of the engine.
Car Accelerating On Its Own
A car that is able to drive itself is not just something out of horror movies and books. Sometimes cars can malfunction and you can find yourself behind the wheel of a car that accelerates on its own.
This can be caused by a number of different things but it is extremely dangerous to the driver and any passengers in the car. If you notice this in your car, try to get it towed to the nearest car shop to avoid driving dangerously.
A/C Or Heat Stops Working
Outside of being really uncomfortable, driving in a car where the a/c or heat are not working can mean that you are having major issues with your car.
Your a/c and heat being out could mean that you are having electrical issues that can lead to bigger problems - such as your dash going out or your car not starting. Never take your a/c going out lightly and make it a point to get your car checked out for bigger issues.
Worn Brake Pads
Worn brake pads in a car are normal and typically mean that the car needs new brakes. If you notice a lot of brake wear on only one of your brakes or if your brakes pads are wearing out a lot quicker than you expect them to then your car could not be driving properly or is imbalanced and needs a major alignment.
Ignoring misalignment on your car can lead to bigger issues such as broken axles or steering columns.
Faulty Emission Sensors
Cars emit really harmful and dangerous gases. Having working emission sensors are important for keeping track of how these fumes are released into the air as well as the level of these gases can vary and change.
If your sensors start to go out or are faulty then you may not be able to properly keep track of the gases and chemicals in your car. The wrong release of these may not only be harmful to other car parts but could be dangerous to your health as well.
Car Not Shifting Gears Properly
When you drive your car, you may notice that your car isn't shifting as normal. If you notice that your car isn’t shifting as intended then you should get it checked immediately. You could be experiencing a cylinder misfire or your engine could be dying.
Either of these issues can cost you thousands of dollars and can kill your car a lot faster if they aren’t fixed right away. On the other hand, if you drive manually make sure you are switching gears when appropriate or you can cause these same problems in your car.
Rusting And Water Damage
Water damage is almost sure to bring down most man-made structures and cars are no different.
If you sustain water damage or if you buy a car that has had previous water damage, chances are that the car only has a limited amount of time before it has to be completely replaced. Rusting can expose parts of your car and make them susceptible to water damage. And with more water comes more rust that eats away at your car.
Failing Speakers
If you are having issues being able to listen to your favorite songs on the radio then chances are that your speakers may be failing and dying. Most speakers are connected by wires so they are part of the electrical makeup of your car and could be one of the first signals that your car is starting to fail electrically.
With newer cars being more and more electrically complex, seeing one of your cars electric components fail could mean that another cascade of failures is on the way.
Turn Signals Failing
Like failing or dim headlights, your turn signals failing or not turning on could be a signal that your car is experiencing other major problems.
The lights are connected to other mechanical, and sometimes electrical, components. If you notice other things starting to fail as well such as the headlights or dim dash lights, then your battery could be failing. Or you could have wires that are not connecting anymore and not responding to your input.
Power Windows Not Rolling Up/Down
One of the most frustrating car failures is when your power windows won't roll up or roll down. Power windows are purely electrical and if only one window is having an issue then it could be just a problem with that window and not anything major to worry about.
If you see that all of the other windows are not rolling up or down then you know that it could be a bigger electric issue.
Falling Gas Mileage
Issues with your fuel tank and gas mileage can sometimes be harder to notice since anytime you get into your car and move it, you are burning and using up fuel.
If you do notice that you are needing to refill more often than usual some of the issues that you could be having are; failing or misfiring sensors not correctly displaying the amount of gas that you have in your car, or you could have a fuel leak which is incredibly dangerous and harmful.
Car Shuts Off While Driving
When driving your car, if you notice that it shuts down while driving, then that is a signal that your car could ultimately be dying or a major part has been broken.
There aren't many things in the car that could cause it to completely shut off and stop working mid-drive. If while you are driving and the car stops moving and completely shuts down then take it to your nearest dealer or get it towed.
Squeaking Coming From the Engine
Normally, you should never hear odd noises coming from your engine outside of it occasionally running or revving up while driving. If you start to hear weird noises such as squeaking, then get your car checked out.
Your engine is designed to be airtight and function without fault but squeaking could mean that something is loose or leaking. Either way, any time your engine seems to be doing something other than powering your car, be safe and get it checked out.
Car Doesn't Brake
Outside of being incredibly dangerous, your car not braking is an easy sign that there is something wrong with your car. Your brakes are connected to your axle and it could mean that your axle is damaged or your input isn't being responded to.
When your input stops working then other things you might be attempting to do such as putting your car in drive may stop working as well and could be potentially unsafe.
Oil & Coolant Leak
Your car should never leak any fluids and if you start to notice oil or coolant leaking from under your car then you should get your car checked out. Oil works to keep your engine functioning properly and if the oil that needs to keep your engine working right isn't there, then it could lead to engine issues and problems.
Adding more oil or coolant may not always fix the problem, especially if you have a hole or damage preventing your car from holding liquids.
Your Car Hurts To Ride In
While cars aren't designed for you to spend countless hours in, your car should be somewhat comfortable while you are riding in it.
If you notice that your car is starting to bounce up and down too much and shakes you around when doing your normal driving on your normal route, then you should see if your car is having shock issues or if your shocks need replacing. In addition to shaking yourself and your passengers around, you might also shake up your engine and fluids which can cause further damage.
Car Doesn't Move After Putting Into Drive
The most essential function of your car is the ability to get it to take you where you need to go. Putting your car into drive and not being able to pull forward can be a sign of cylinder issues or electrical problems depending on your car type and year.
If you put your car into drive and hear your engine rev up but your tires don't rotate, then that tells you that you should get your car checked out right away.
