Car Problems That Requires a Professional Mechanic

Car Problems That Requires a Professional Mechanic While some car repairs are easy to do yourself, some jobs are either too complex or require specialized tools, making it difficult, time-consuming and even dangerous to do them yourself. In which case, it's necessary to visit an experienced mechanic.

Here are some warning signs that you might need to take your car to a professional mechanic.

Steering and suspension problems Steering problems are potentially very dangerous as your car won't perform as you expect during an emergency. For this reason, it's best to see an experienced mechanic as soon as you notice a problem.

Possible problems include increased difficulty when steering wheel feeling loose or vibrating; steering wheel pulling to the left or right; car leaning to one side or the other during acceleration or braking, and uneven or premature wear on your tires.

Engine warning light Modern cars include a whole host of sensors that measure and monitor hundreds of systems in your car.

If they get a result that doesn't fit within pre-set parameters, the engine warning light will appear on your dashboard. The light will flash to warn you if there is a serious problem. Either way, there's no need to panic, just take your car to your local garage for a diagnostic to discover what the issue is.

Your car might also have a service light that appears as a reminder that your next service is due. While there's no rush to book an appointment for a mechanic to run through the full car service checklist, it's best to check your handbook or service interval record to see when it's best to arrange for your car to be seen.

Smoke coming from under the bonnet First, check the color of the smoke and if it's white, your car is probably just overheating. Take a look at your car's temperature gauge to confirm this. If the gauge is at maximum, pull over and wait for your car to cool down before you continue your journey.

And, even though it's not critical, schedule an appointment with your mechanic. If you notice blue smoke, stop your car immediately and arrange to be towed to your local garage. Blue smoke is caused by burning oil, which can significantly damage your engine.

Leaks Your car is designed to store and use the fluids that you put into your car – fuel, oil, coolant, etc. If you notice a leak from anywhere in your car, it's a good idea to get your car serviced as soon as possible. Not only could this potentially save you a lot of money in repairs, but it could also prevent harm to animals from being poisoned by the leaked fluids.

You can tell if your car is leaking when you move it from where it has been parked. Are there stains on the ground? They could be bright green from coolant or dark red/brown from oil or brake fluid. Or is there liquid under where the exhaust pipe was? Don't worry if you notice water dripping near the front passenger seat during the summer – this will probably be from your car's air conditioning.

Unusual noises There's nothing like the sound of a roaring engine as you speed from A to B. However if your car starts making strange noises, it is worth talking to a mechanic to find out why. Clunking or grinding noise coming from under your vehicle could be due to poor suspension.

Squealing or grinding sounds when braking means damage to the brake pads, rotors and calipers.

Dragging or droning noise from your wheels indicates an issue with the wheel bearings. Loud exhaust noise means possibly a hole in your exhaust pipe. A loose drive belt results to whining from under the bonnet.

Reduced driving comfort Does your car vibrate when you drive? In that case, your tires might need to be renewed or your wheel alignment adjusted. Reduced driving comfort is often a sign of problems with your suspension. You might notice your car is riding low, hear tires rubbing on the wheel arch or you might have problems driving over speed bumps. If you notice any of these signs, it's recommended to go and see a mechanic quickly.