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Diagnosing Common Car Problems – Part I

One of the most frustrating things about having car problems is the uncertainty. Unless you’re well-versed in how the various parts, components, and systems work, you probably won’t know what is causing your car to react in certain ways. For example, if your steering wheel shakes violently, what does it mean? If the engine “misses” whenever you cross 40 mph, what might be causing the issue? More importantly, does it suggest more serious problems in the future? Below, I’ll help you diagnose a few of the most common car problems that drivers experience.

Excessive Bounce

Often, when people drive over speed bumps, they’ll notice that their car continues to bounce. The reason why this happens is because the car’s shocks have worn out. It happens mostly with large vehicles, though it can also impact smaller cars, too. It’s an easy problem to fix and requires replacement shocks. You should have the shocks and struts checked occasionally by a mechanic because they wear down so gradually that it’s difficult to notice.

Shaking Steering Wheel

Drivers can be startled by their car’s steering wheel shaking at high speeds (typically above 60 mph). The root of the problem actually isn’t that serious (though it should be corrected as soon as possible). Steering wheels shake because the front tires aren’t balanced properly. Once they’re rebalanced, the shaking should disappear. Incidentally, if the steering wheel isn’t shaking, but you feel your seat vibrating, it’s likely that the back tires are imbalanced.

Drifting

Most people immediately think that if their car drifts, it must mean the tires aren’t aligned. While that’s often the case, it’s worthwhile to test the alignment before paying a mechanic. After making sure that your tires’ air pressure is set to the factory standard, drive on a road that gently slopes to either side. Most streets are built this way to allow debris and water to run into the gutter. If your car drifts to the side with the gutter regardless of the direction in which you’re driving (test both directions), you probably don’t have an alignment issue. Otherwise, have your mechanic take a look.

Being The Car Doctor

The 3 issues that I’ve just described don’t imply anything is seriously wrong with your car. That said, small problems become worse if they’re neglected. If you notice that your car is bouncing, drifting, or your steering wheel is shaking, invest the time to take it into a repair shop. A technician can usually fix the problem easily and quickly, preventing it from turning into a costly headache later.

In the next installment in this series, we’ll explore car problems that are a little more complex. They’ll typically involve specific parts or systems under the hood, and can actually lead to major issues if they’re not addressed.

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