Signs of Wear and Tear on Your Car and What They Indicate
Keeping your vehicle in top form is a job best suited for those with an educated eye for damage. Anything from an unusual sound to minor dents is all underlying signs of potential problems. These are some signs of wear on your car and what they indicate. By understanding what they mean and how to determine the potential issues, you are better able to keep your car well-maintained.
Uneven Tire Wear
It is important to check your tires for signs of uneven wear regularly. When noticed, the source is usually one of a few possibilities. The typical causes of misaligned tires include being in a previous accident, over- or under-inflation, or as a sign of a bad driveshaft. Misaligned tires can be realigned by a mechanic, while over- and under-inflation are fixable based on the tires’ recommended pressure in the owner’s manual. Additionally, a worn-out suspension system has several parts to look into and is best inspected by a professional to find the heart of the issue.
Black Exhaust Smoke
Your air conditioning system relies on your air filter to prevent you from breathing in contaminated air. Preferably, no visible smoke should be seen from your exhaust. A clogged air filter means it is not able to screen out pollutants that go through it when driving properly. These filters also need to be replaced regularly. When they are heavily worn and not replaced, the build-up of gunk in the filter results in the intake valves of your car not letting enough fuel in. As a result, black smoke is released from the exhaust, and your fuel-air ratio is not properly balanced.
Leaking Fluids
Various fluids mean different things if they’re leaking out of your car. These are examples of possible liquids you can see and what they mean.
- Brake Fluid: This amber-colored liquid indicates potential issues with brake seals, cylinders, or flex lines.
- Coolant: This bright yellow liquid hints at possible damage to the hoses, radiator, water pump, etc.
- Engine Oil: This is typically a dark-colored oil, and the color depends on how old it is. Its presence normally indicates damage to the head gasket, oil filter, or sump pump.
- Water: Water normally leaks as a result of your air conditioning unit and condensation, and it’s not a cause for alarm.
These are not the only fluids to look out for. However, any leaking fluids are usually identifiable based on their color and smell.
It is important to be educated about the different signs of wear and tear on your car and what they indicate. Though it is good to know how to fix the issue yourself, being able to diagnose the issue yourself is a good place to start. Knowing the symptoms your car experiences also makes fixing it faster, as mechanics will know exactly where to look.
