With around 218 million licensed drivers in the United States, it’s safe to say that we are a nation of petrol-heads. For many of us, our cars are so much more than a mere vehicle – they are a lifeline to the outside world and the integral tool that allows us to go about our daily lives with relative ease. But among all these drivers, there is a spectrum along which most people sit. At the top of the list are those people who live and breathe cars – who know everything about the vehicle they are driving and who would know exactly what to do if something went wrong with it. At the other end of the spectrum lie the people who don’t really know a lot about cars, and who could end up putting themselves and their vehicles at risk by not recognising warning signs. Cars are machines, and machines inevitably suffer wear and tear over the years. Much of these discrepancies are nothing to worry about: providing you get them sorted out as soon as possible. The novice car user may leave any niggling issues, citing them as something minor. The problems start when that minor problem starts to get worse over time, and eventually, you have a full-scale breakdown on your hands, such as the ones described here https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/advice/top-ten-breakdown-causes at the AA. Here are the top things to look out for and get sorted as soon as you can, if you notice any of them happening in your car.
Your fluid levels
Have you got a warning light on your dashboard, or does your car just feel a little bit ‘different’ to drive? Sometimes, it might be making a peculiar noise, and you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. It can be tempting just to ignore it and hope it goes away, but it could easily be something simple like your fluid levels. Typically, there are five types of fluids used in most cars: engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. Some of these you can top up yourself, so try checking your levels as soon as you notice anything untoward.
A windscreen crack
Ever sit in your car in the morning and notice a crack or scratch on your windscreen you’re sure wasn’t there before? You’ll probably notice every time you drive and think to yourself ‘I should probably get that sorted soon’. The important thing is not to delay! The longer you leave it, the bigger the crack may get, and you could end up with a shattered windscreen. It isn’t difficult to fix, either – visiting a site like http://www.actionglassmi.com could mean you get your screen fixed professionally and with a fast turnaround. If the crack has become more severe overnight, avoid driving your vehicle in extreme weather, as this may rapidly worsen it.
Tires
Tire problems are something that many people ignore, thinking that their car will be fine for another few journeys or so. It may well be… until your tire goes completely flat and you are left stranded somewhere! Even just for peace of mind, make a point of checking your tires regularly and getting them replaced every so often.
