If you have just bought your first car, you might have no idea what you should do to care for it properly. Worse yet, you might be unable to tell what is wrong with your car if it happens to break down. Your insurance might cover the towing, but if your vehicle needs it, you might not be able to drive it for a long time.
Fortunately, there are quite a few things that you can do to diagnose car problems quickly and effectively. If you want to familiarize yourself with them, then you are in the right place!
In this article, you will find a list of ways to diagnose car problems. Once you are done reading, you should be able to diagnose car problems like a pro!
What Tools Will You Need?
In order to diagnose car problems correctly, it is important that you have the right tools. So, what exactly do you need? First of all, you should make sure that you have a set of screwdrivers. This way, you will be able to access the engine compartment and check the electrical system. You will also need a pair of pliers and a wrench. Alternatively, you can buy a set of wrenches that includes various sizes.
Furthermore, having a small flashlight is a good idea. It helps you to see things that you wouldn’t be able to see otherwise. A socket set is also a must-have. In addition to the aforementioned tools, it is recommended that you have a torque wrench and an OBD scanner. If you don’t already have one go here to read more about the best OBD2 scanner
Listen To Your Car
Your car is constantly doing things behind your back. It runs when you turn on the key, it moves when you press down on the gas pedal, and it makes noises when something goes wrong. Therefore, listening to your car is one of the best ways to diagnose car problems. The best times to listen to your car are immediately after turning it on and immediately before shutting off the engine.
If you hear anything unusual, such as strange sounds or weird vibrations, then your next course of action should be figuring out what exactly caused them. For example, if you hear a whiny, high-pitched sound when you rev up the engine, then your spark plugs might be faulty.
Check Your Engine Oil Level
It goes without saying that your engine needs oil for proper lubrication. If your oil level is too low, then your engine might experience a mechanical failure due to overheating. On the other hand, if your oil level is too high, then you run the risk of damaging the rings on your pistons.
Luckily enough, every modern vehicle comes with an onboard dashboard oil gauge that lets you know whether or not your engine has enough oil in it. If the needle points towards “low” or “empty,” then you should fill up your engine with oil right away.
Check The Brake System
Braking systems are crucial for ensuring that you always have full control over your vehicle. Thus, if something goes wrong with the braking system (like worn-out brake rotors or worn-out brake pads), then it can become a hazard for both you and other people around you! As such, it is highly recommended that you check the braking system regularly and replace worn-out parts right away.
Perform A Visual Inspection Of Your Vehicle’s Exterior
When it comes to inspecting the exterior of your vehicle for possible damage or defects, visual inspection is usually enough to detect them in time. However, if nothing looks out of place visually and yet there is something wrong with the vehicle’s exterior (such as dents or scratches), then there might be something wrong with the structure underneath its surface.
To be more precise, there might be some hidden damage or defect that has not yet revealed itself. Therefore, if something doesn’t seem right visually but there are no visible signs of damage, then you should have a professional inspect the vehicle’s exterior to determine whether or not there is anything wrong with it!
Check The Battery And The Cables
Your car’s battery is one of the most important parts of your vehicle. Without a working battery, you will be unable to start your car and drive it around! Furthermore, your engine’s performance will also suffer if the battery isn’t in good condition. Instead of having to replace a faulty battery, you should check it regularly to avoid this issue.
The first thing you should do is check the battery cables. One of the most common reasons for a battery to die is due to loose or corroded cables. If the battery terminals are loose or corroded, then you will need to tighten them or clean them with a wire brush.
In Conclusion
This article should help you to be able to diagnose and fix some of the most common problems with your car. A quick inspection can help you save a lot of time and money by proactively finding any issues that could damage your car or be unsafe for you, your passengers, or other road users.