By Dr. Drew Henry
Have you ever wondered how you can instantly know if the car you own is having problems?
Well, it is very simple… just take a good look!
By asking yourself some basic, common-sense questions you can quickly and easily
diagnose your car just like an expert! Below are some sample questions you should ask
yourself when diagnosing your car:
1. Are there any stains or drops of fluid under your vehicle? There may be no problem
whatsoever, however you do want to check for wet spots, as this could be a symptom of a
serious problem.
2. What color is the liquid under the car? Yellowish green, blue or orange colors can show
an overheated engine or an antifreeze leak. You could have a leaky radiator or a water
pump in need of repair. If this is the problem, you need to get to a repair shop immediately.
Some other common symptoms you can look for include:
- A dark brown or black oily fluid can show that the engine is leaking oil. A bad seal or
gasket could be the cause of the leak. The repair for this problem can be exorbitant, so you
will want to seek out a reputable mechanic right away.
- A red oily looking spot shows a transmission or power steering fluid leak. Another reason
to see your car doctor! Sometimes the liquid is clear, and this is usually normal
condensation from your vehicle's air conditioner. There is no need for concern.
- If you see light smoke coming from a wheel - it could be a stuck brake. Call a tow truck.
- Smoke coming from any part of the vehicle shows a need for repair. Sniff around, and you
may detect your vehicles problem. The smell of burned toast can signal an electrical short
and burning insulation. Have a mechanic come to look at your car. Do not risk driving it
anywhere.
- The smell of gas after a failed start may mean the engine is flooded. Just wait a couple of
minutes and try again. If you keep noticing the gas odor, this could be a sign of a leak in the
fuel system - a potentially dangerous problem that needs immediate attention.
- If you see steam emerging from under the hood, stop and pull over. You definitely do not
want to keep driving an overheated vehicle. Your engine will most likely be seriously
damaged. Call a tow truck.
Just by following these simple guidelines and asking yourself some common-sense
questions, you can spot problems with your car even before you call the mechanic!
Dr. Drew Henry owns a network of auto-related sites, including http://www.racecarwest.com,
http://www.freecarinsider.com and http://directory.extremelimitautofest.com. Visit his sites
today for more auto-related articles and resources.
