Your Vehicle is Talking to YOU (Service Warning Signs)
November 28, 2021
Your vehicle may be like that famous battery bunny, the one that just keeps going and going. But while it may seem sometimes like you never need to take your vehicle in to be worked on, there are some things you should keep your eyes, ears and nose out for. They are warning you about something that needs attention at your vehicle service facility.
- If a warning light is on, don't ignore it; do something about it. There are warning lights for battery, oil, engine heat, tire pressure… you name it. And the manufacturer put them there for a reason. They're telling you something isn't normal. So when one goes on, have it checked out soon, especially the blinking Check Engine light. The earlier you have any warning light issue diagnosed, the more likely you are to avoid a more serious problem.
- If your vehicle is vibrating or shaking, it's not only annoying, it could signal trouble. You can bet your vehicle didn't do that when it came out of the factory! If you can feel a vibration in the seat of your pants or shaking in the steering wheel, head on over to your service facility and have them diagnose what is causing it.
- Smoke coming out of anywhere in your vehicle is a signal (smoke signal, get it?) that there may be a troubling issue. Likewise if you can smell something burning (like oil), the nose knows there's something amiss. Time to find out what.
- If you aren't getting the distance you used to out of a tank of gas, it may not simply be your lead foot. A lot of vehicles will give you a digital readout of your latest mileage. If your fuel economy takes a dip, take a trip over to your service facility. You might have a sticky brake caliper… or it might be something as simple as your tires need more air.
- Yes, you know the dreaded puddle of something under your vehicle can be a bad sign. It could smell sweet, it could feel oily. But it means something is leaking. Go get it checked. Sooner is better when it comes to locating the source of a leak.
- If your brake pedal travels further than it used to while stopping, that could be compromising your ability to stop safely. Also, if the brakes are making odd sounds, pulsating, grinding or squealing, they're screaming at you for attention. Proper braking is a must for your safety and those drivers around you.
An old 80s TV show called "Knight Rider" featured a talking car. You already have a vehicle that's telling you things all the time. Give it a listen and it will keep you going safely down the road for many years to come.
Gary Knurek GoodYear
1973 Livernois
Troy, Michigan 48083
248-362-0350
Need Service?
More articles from Gary Knurek, Authorized GoodYear Dealer
U and your U-Joints (Lubricate U-Joints)
November 10, 2024
If your vehicles power goes to the rear wheels, then you have something called U-joints in the drivetrain. U-joints are connectors that allow the rotating power from your vehicles engine to deliver its power through a driveshaft to make the rear wheels rotate. You need U-joints because the surfa... More
Motor Oil?The Synthetic Advantage (Synthetic oil vs Conventional)
November 3, 2024
Youve probably already heard that regular oil changes are extremely important for the health of your vehicles engine. Thats sound advice. But what you might not know is when it comes to motor oil, the real thing may not be the best thing for your engine. There are different types of motor oil: ... More
Keeping Yourself in Suspension (Control Arm Assembly Replacement)
October 27, 2024
When you are pointing your vehicle straight down the street, it should go straight. Thats pretty straightforward, right? Sometimes, though, you may notice you have to keep adjusting the steering wheel to keep going straight. While that could be caused by many different issues, one possibility i... More