Seemingly Small Car Repairs You Don't Want to Ignore

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If you're like many car owners, you may hesitate to have seemingly small repairs addressed, so you can avoid the expense and hassle of that work for as long as possible. While some fixes to your car may not necessarily be very urgent, it's never good to put off having any needed repairs done; this will ensure your car is always working optimally and you don't face even larger repair bills down the road. Note a few of those seemingly small vehicle repairs that you don't want to ignore, even if you can still drive your car.

Squealing

When you hear squealing from under the hood, this is often caused by a worn fan belt. This belt should be changed as needed, so the fan doesn't break and your car doesn't overheat.

However, that squealing can also be caused by loose gaskets around the engine's chambers. If oil leaks through these gaskets, it can cause them to squeal. This can mean the engine running without enough oil, which can cause it to overheat and seize up. Have this squealing checked as soon as you notice it, no matter the cause.

Bad smells

If you notice what seems like the smell of exhaust coming into the cab of the car, this often means there is a leak in the tailpipe or exhaust system. Not only is this unhealthy, but it also makes the car work harder to maintain combustion. The car can also be running hotter, since it may be using more fuel to create and maintain needed combustion.

The smell of burning oil often means an oil leak, and the oil is then dripping onto the hot manifold. This can also be very damaging to a car, as mentioned above, and should be checked as soon as possible.

Poor gas mileage

If you're filling up the car's tank more often than usual, this can mean the engine has a worn oxygen sensor. This sensor controls how much oxygen is brought into, and then filtered out of, the engine; too much or too little oxygen will cause the engine to work harder and use more fuel.

If you sense any type of drag along with poor gas mileage, this may mean the brake pads are not releasing properly. This can cause those pads to overheat and wear down very quickly, and may also cause damage to the rotors and the tyres. Have your car checked for these problems when you notice poor gas mileage, rather than assuming you just need to live with higher costs at the pump.

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12 July 2017