Sometimes your car will suddenly start acting up a bit and it can be either slightly annoying or render you absolutely stuck without transport for a good while. Knowing the difference between what you can leave to rattle a bit and when you absolutely have to get your car serviced immediately is not only smart but can also save you a lot of money - and possibly being left without a car for a few weeks while it's being repaired. Here are five warning signs that you should not ignore if they happen with your car;

Warning Lights On Your Dashboard

That selection of icons on your dashboard has been put there specifically because they indicate when something big is going wrong with your car and if you ignore those warning lights, your car may well suffer even worse damage or pack up completely. If your check engine light, oil light, or any of the others suddenly light up while you're driving, try to get to an automotive workshop immediately. If you aren't able to do that, at least avoid driving the car any further than you absolutely need to, stop where you are on the side of the road and then arrange for your car to be collected and tended to by professionals.

Strange Sounds Coming From Under Your Bonnet

If you suddenly hear noises coming from your engine, whether it's clanking, screeching, scraping, bumping or rattling, you should pay attention and get it checked out. Don't just carry on driving thinking it's a misplaced rock stuck under your car. These noises could be caused by a variety of possible major issues but all of them are quite serious and should not be ignored... unless you're willing to risk your car repair or servicing bill being quite outrageous.

Smoke, Steam, Fire

Obviously you'd notice if your car suddenly starts emitting flames, but don't ignore what could be the precursors to that happening. Any emissions from the front of your car are very bad news and can be anything from piston wear, head gasket failure, worn engine oil seals to an intake manifold failure. If you notice any odd emissions from your bonnet or sides of your car, get it looked at immediately at a car repair workshop.

Unstable Driving Experience

If your car is suddenly not giving you the smooth driving experience you're used to and pulls to the left or right, rattles and struggles to accelerate or brake at the pace it normally does, it's a sure sign that something needs to be replaced or repaired, and fast. You should also take a look at your car's tyres and ensure that the tread is still safe and that they are all inflated properly as deflated or uneven tire pressure can wreak havoc on your ability to control your car.

Problems With Your Ignition

It's normal for cars to sometimes hit a bit of a wobble and not start on the first turn of the ignition, especially when it’s cold weather or if its been sitting idle for a while, but if you are struggling repeatedly to get your car started, there's likely a fault that needs to be corrected by a mechanical specialist.

With any of these problems, it's always best to take action as soon as possible so that the situation and potential damage is assessed professionally and the right steps are taken to prevent your car's issues from worsening. Remember to get your car serviced on time in general as well, as certain parts are built to specifically last only a certain amount of kilometres before the wear and tear to it renders it faulty and dangerous.

Contact us at Motus Select to book an appointment at our car repair workshop or if you’re seeking used cars which are sure not to give you any hassle or problems in the future.