You can’t afford to overlook signs of serious car trouble; especially when it threatens to compromise your prized European vehicle. The key to maintaining your luxury vehicle, or any vehicle in fact, is to identify problems swiftly and accurately. Only then will you be able to save yourself from exorbitant repair fees, whilst keeping your vehicle in its best condition possible for many more years to come.
No matter how well-kept your vehicle may be, it’s important to look out for the following red flags, which can warn you of some serious car trouble before significant damage has been done:
1. Noisy Brakes
Since our brakes are out of sight, it can be quite easy to overlook their condition. However, if you’ve recently noticed that your brakes are being noisy or squeaky whilst driving, then you should probably turn to a mechanic for a diagnosis. Your brakes are what allows you to put your vehicle to a halt. As such, it’s integral to keep these components in good condition if you want to maintain a high level of safety for you and your passengers. Noisy or squeaky brakes generally point towards worn brake pads, which is an effortless replacement. So, it’s best to have the situation resolved quickly, rather than allow it to develop into further mechanical damage.
2. Strange Smells
Have you been smelling a strange, sweet aroma whilst driving your vehicle lately? If that’s the case, then you may be dealing with a coolant leak. A coolant leak can affect the performance of your car in many ways. Primarily, it can cause decreased fuel economy and reduced engine power. However, if left untreated, it can also cause engine overheating, which can result in major engine damage for your vehicle. A coolant leak can also be identified by puddles of bright green, orange, red or blue liquid collecting beneath your car. Another strange smell to watch out for is the smell of burning or fuel fumes. This is an extremely serious symptom, as exhaust also contains lethal carbon monoxide. If you’re experiencing something like this, it could point towards a leak somewhere in the fuel system.
3. Smoke from Exhaust
It’s normal for there to be some white smoke coming out of your exhaust pipe from time to time. This is caused by nothing but harmless condensation in the exhaust pipe. However, if you start to notice excessive amounts of smoke, or smoke that comes in colours such as black, grey or blue coming from your exhaust pipe, then it could point towards a more serious issue.
4. Difficult Starts
For a lot of vehicle owners out there, it can feel like your vehicle always fails on you when you need it most; whether it’s before heading off to work in the morning, or having to attend an important appointment or function. If you’ve turned the key numerous times and to no avail, then you could be dealing with a dead battery. On the other hand, if your radio, lights and other electrical components are working, then it could point towards an issue with the fuel system, blown fuses or faulty sensors.
5. Vibrations
When it feels like you’re sitting in a washing machine on spin cycle rather than a BMW, you should know that there’s definitely something wrong with your vehicle. If you’re experiencing vibrations whilst braking, then the issue could be due to a brake rotor that has worn down unevenly. Aside from this, annoying vibrations could come down to issues with components such as the tyres, axles or engine.
Experiencing Any of These Symptoms? Turn to European Prestige Auto Service
Don’t make the mistake of handing your European vehicle over to just any old mechanic. At European Prestige Auto Service, we’re an accomplished team of friendly, knowledgeable and experienced auto technicians, who are more than qualified to work on your European vehicle. We’re the mechanic of choice for many luxury vehicle owners in Perth. As such, you can always rest assured whenever you turn to us for high-quality services, knowing that we will treat your vehicle as if it were one of our own.
To book your European car in for a service, contact European Prestige Auto Service now!