| With a little research on your vehicle, you | | | | |
| can avoid future repair problems. Whether you | | | | Sniff around, and you may detect your |
| are mechanically savvy or not, you can detect | | | | vehicles problem. |
| many common vehicle problems simply by using | | | | |
| your senses of smell and sight. | | | | The smell of burned toast can signal an |
| | | | electrical short and burning insulation. Have |
| TAKE A GOOD LOOK! | | | | a mechanic come to look at your car. Do not |
| | | | risk driving it anywhere. |
| Are there any stains or drops of fluid under | | | | |
| your vehicle? There may be no problem | | | | A rotten egg smell usually shows a problem in |
| whatsoever, however you do want to check for | | | | the catalytic converter. You will need to |
| wet spots, as this could be a symptom of a | | | | take the vehicle in for repair as soon as |
| serious problem. | | | | possible. |
| | | | |
| What color is the liquid under the car? | | | | A thick sharp odor usually shows burning oil. |
| Yellowish green, blue or orange colors can | | | | Look under the car to see if there is a leak. |
| show an overheated engine or an antifreeze | | | | There could be a bluish smoke coming from |
| leak. You could have a leaky radiator or a | | | | your vehicle, too. This problem needs to be |
| water pump in need of repair. If this is the | | | | addressed immediately! |
| problem, you need to get to a repair shop | | | | |
| immediately. | | | | The smell of gas after a failed start may |
| | | | mean the engine is flooded. Just wait a |
| A dark brown or black oily fluid can show | | | | couple of minutes and try again. If you keep |
| that the engine is leaking oil. A bad seal or | | | | noticing the gas odor, this could be a sign |
| gasket could be the cause of the leak. The | | | | of a leak in the fuel system - a potentially |
| repair for this problem can be exorbitant, so | | | | dangerous problem that needs immediate |
| you will want to seek out a reputable | | | | attention. |
| mechanic right away. | | | | |
| | | | Do you notice a sweet odor? This may show a |
| A red oily looking spot shows a transmission | | | | coolant leak. Watch your temperature gauge, |
| or power steering fluid leak. Another reason | | | | warning light and drive to a repair shop. |
| to see your car doctor! | | | | Now, if you see steam emerging from under the |
| | | | hood, stop and pull over. You definitely do |
| Sometimes the liquid is clear, and this is | | | | not want to keep driving an overheated |
| usually normal condensation from your | | | | vehicle. Your engine will most likely be |
| vehicle's air conditioner. There is no need | | | | seriously damaged. Call a tow truck. |
| for concern. | | | | |
| | | | The basic rule of smell is that if you do |
| If you see light smoke coming from a wheel - | | | | notice an unusual odor - get to a mechanic or |
| it could be a stuck brake. Call a tow truck. | | | | get one to come to you. |
| | | | |
| Smoke coming from any part of the vehicle | | | | Follow these simple guidelines, keep your |
| shows a need for repair. | | | | eyes and nose open, and you could end saving |
| | | | hundreds of dollars in repair! |
| TAKE A WHIFF! | | | | |