One day, you’re driving to work and you notice your car is making a funny noise when it starts. You brush it off as a result of the cold weather in Minnesota but then, on your way back from work, a light you’ve never seen before appears on your automobile’s dashboard. Now you’re worried.
There are many problems that can negatively affect the performance of your vehicle. Here is Fairprice Auto’s list of some of the most common car problems, their causes and their solutions.
Car Troubles & How to Solve Them
- “My engine is making sputtering noises.”
- The Cause: If your engine sounds like it’s struggling, that’s probably because it is. Sputtering noises are an indicator that the combustion needed to power your car isn’t occurring fully. First, check your fuel; you might just be low on gas. Otherwise, your engine ignition system is malfunctioning.
- The Solution: If your car is just low on fuel, it’s as simple as driving to the nearest gas station. If your vehicle has a full tank and still sounds like it’s about to die, you should bring it to a mechanic for vehicle repairs to get your engine running properly again.
- “My car won’t start at all!”
- The Cause: If you turn the key in the ignition and nothing happens, you’ve probably got a dead battery. Leaving the lights on in your car can drain your battery overnight. Certain weather events, such as extreme temperature or excess moisture seeping into your engine during a rain or snow storm, may kill your battery as well. Even if none of these things happened, car batteries expire and lose their ability to carry a charge over time.
- The Solution: If your battery has been drained of power, you can restart it with jumper cables connected to another car. However, it may be time to replace your battery entirely. It’s recommended to have your battery replaced every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, or every 3 to 5 years. You can do this yourself or have a mechanic take care of it for you.
- “A weird warning light came on in my vehicle.”
- The Cause: There are a vast number of warning lights on a vehicle’s dashboard, and you can look up what they mean in your vehicle’s manual. Even your ‘Check Engine’ light can be triggered by many different malfunctions.
- The Solution: Bring your car to a mechanic who can perform an inspection to determine what triggered the warning light. They should be able to figure out what’s wrong with your car and repair it as needed. Or, if the warning light was triggered by an error, they can simply turn it off for you.
- “My steering wheel shakes while I’m driving.”
- The Cause: A few mechanical issues may cause your steering wheel to shake when you’re driving. If your steering wheel shakes regardless of your driving speed, your vehicle’s suspension system is probably damaged. If the shaking only happens while you’re driving on the highway, your wheels are likely misaligned.
- The Solution: First, bring your automobile into an auto repair shop for an inspection. If your suspension system has been damaged, a mechanic will be able to repair it for you. If the problem is with your wheels, a mechanic will be able to perform alignment services for your vehicle.
Reliable Vehicle Repairs in Minnesota
If you drive a vehicle in the Twin Cities or in Central Minnesota and you’ve encountered one of these common car troubles, your best bet is to bring your automobile to a reputable auto repair shop to have an experienced mechanic take a look. Call Arvu Auto today for expert vehicle repair services in the West Minneapolis metro and beyond!
