If you’re driving a car that’s at least 10 years old, the day it simply refuses to start may be just around the corner. After all, the older a car, the worse its performance tends to be, even when you’ve done all you can to maintain it. And when these signs start to crop up, you need to be on the lookout for them.
You’ll never know when a car will break down without this knowledge, and that’s bad news if you’re on a long distance drive with no help in sight! So here are the most worrying signs your car is getting a little too old for the road; don’t ignore them and get them seen to. A little bit of vehicle knowhow goes a long way for your overall safety!
You’re Struggling to Control When Starting and Stopping
If your car takes a while to start, and seems to ‘jump’ to life when you finally turn that engine over, it’s a sign your engine is beginning to fail. Not only that, but if you have to touch the brake more than once to slow down, and your car comes to a stop with a ‘jerk’, you could even get into an accident one day without meaning to. A car like this is too old and isn’t safe to drive.
You’ve Noticed a Leak
A leak is a dangerous thing for multiple reasons, but most of it all it’s a sign your car isn’t good to run anymore. Not only could you potentially start a fire if fuel starts leaking out, but you’re going to be spending ten times your usual amount on things like engine oil and antifreeze if you don’t get the leak seen to. And even when you do, who’s to say it won’t happen again? You can’t be sure thanks to the car’s age.
The Repairs are Getting Expensive
If the repairs of your car are getting more expensive than actually running the car, it’s a sign something is seriously wrong! And any mechanic you go to will tell you that. A car should never cost more to fix up than it did when you first bought it, and it’ll always be cheaper to sell the parts for scrap and then head down to a second hand dealership. So, maybe it’s time to get a new car?
Your Lights Ping All the Time
Finally, if you’re always noticing lights pinging over the dashboard, you should never ignore them. They won’t just go away on their own, and you’ll need to check the manual for a full debrief. Make sure you’re aware of what your car is trying to tell you; it could be something simple like a yellow light for your tire pressure, but if a red light is there, it could be something dangerous.
If your car is getting old, it might be time to say goodbye. It’d be a lot safer (and even cheaper!) to buy a new one.
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